This is now driving me mad.....can someone help? Car is UK 4door MY97 turbo

I was convinced my rear N/S wheel bearing was worn - usual symptons over the last 12 months or so eminating from rear passenger side, whining noise changing with vehicle speed, started off very quiet, now audible over radio especially when car is cold. Only heard between 10 - 50 mph, does not get louder above 50mph just constant. After a journey if you felt each wheel hub the left rear was a lot warmer than the rest ( I have checked brakes and stripped all 4 down in summer and all is fine)

Had the rear wheel bearing changed last week by a decent garage (subaru specialist named on here many times as good) which ended up costing me a fortune (I sourced the bearing myself for £40 against £115 quoted plus £70 labour. I ended up paying over £220 because the rear bar bush failed during removal which resulted in 4 wheel alignment required etc etc)

Anyway, drove home, noise seemed completely gone......for a few minutes at least. Drove back next day to get the 4 wheel alignment, could hear the wheel bearing noise gradually coming back. 3 days later, including motorway driving and I'm convinced the noise is back as it was - exactly the same area.

I have checked diff oil level - fine (oil was changed last year as per schedule using castrol 75-90). Car just passed MOT.

What the heck can be causing this? could the new bearing have failed already? could it be a different bearing ? any pointers greatly appreciated!

PS other than the noise car drives fine.

 

well.....with you having it replaced and the noise DEFFINATLY dissapering for a while it would indicate only 2 options .
1 . faulty w/bearing ......does happen occasionaly
2 . new wheel bearing never got fitted (possible re-greased & tightened )

assuming that the hub & C.V joint are fine.

 

Thanks for your reply.

To be honest I always try and do all my repairs myself, however this procedure requires the use of a press, and as the labour price "quoted" was reasonable I decided it wasnt worth the hassle.

As I said, I was convinced the noise had completely disappeared, however it was only for a short period (10 minutes of driving). I then spent the rest of the journey wondering whether my mind/hearing was playing tricks on me. I can confirm that the noise is definately back now though.

I thought the bearing was fully sealed and couldnt be re-greased? hence the need for a press?
It is possible, but I doubt it. The garage I used are pretty decent. What reason would they have for not replacing the bearing?

I suppose my next move is to get someone else to diagnose the problem, if they suspect rear n/s wheel bearing then I may have a case. Would a faulty hub / CV joint give the same symptoms?

Anyone else have any further suggestions?

 

you say the bearing been worn for the past 12months, maybe the hub seat is also damaged due to the excessive heat caused by the old bearing??
this would mean that even with a new bearing it won't "seat" properly causing the noise??
just a possibility.....................

alyn - asperformance.com

 

Could be - would the worn hub not be picked up at during re-installation though?