Bearing Noise?

[rs899]

Last couple of days I have been hearing a pretty audible "woo-woo" bearing-like noise in the Jetta , most prevalent around 40-45mph.  I have heard wheel bearing noise before (in the Caddy) and after a lot of listening, I really don't think its that (for one thing, the records on the car say the right side one was replaced 40k miles ago).  The noise doesn't lessen going around curves as it should with wheel bearings ( in fact, I think it gets a bit worse going to the right). It's not 100% consistent, though- sometimes I hear it more than other times.  I suspect it may be diff bearings- what would be the symptoms of that?

This car has 144K miles on it, but the records show that the transmission was replaced with an AGS also about 40K miles ago, so who know how many miles on it.

Any other ideas?  I have only had this car a few months and put 3k miles on it since I replaced pistons (damaged from PO timing belt mishap).

Rick

[theman53]

Jack it up one side at a time and listen. I replaced wheel bearings in under 10,000 before.

[Dakotakid]

Front spindle bearings will growl louder in curves as they load up with more weight. As they deteriorate, the gland nut can loosen. By that time, you are in fairly large trouble and putting some miles on the Nikes.

[rs899]

The noise changed on the way home to more of a constant metallic rumble.  I am starting to suspect motor mounts.  I changed 2 of them , but not the one over the transmission.  Also, the shifter rod almost touches the back of the tranny.  I have got to get under it and move the engine around and see what happens.

[theman53]

while you have it up in the air. start it, put it in gear and listen to each one of the wheels. I almost bet it is a wheel bearing.

[rs899]

the man was right.  The passenger side wheel bearing was knackered.  I had come to the conclusion that it was the passenger side inner CV joint and bought a rebuilt axle locally for $55 (lifetime warranty, whatever that means nowadays).  I pulled the axle and took the brake caliper off to be sure- yup bearing is clunking.  POs records say that one had 40K miles on it.  I hate Chinese bearings...

In all fairness , I pulled the driver's side CV axle and also checked the left front wheel bearing.  It seems to be fine, and Chinese as well.  Probably installer error or maybe the nut was on too tight (205 lbs jumping on a meter long 3/4" breaker bar just barely shifted it)

Rick

[theman53]

The last 2 I did had no user error. At least I hope I did it right . Both had a spot as if one ball was pushed on too hard by a bump or something into the race. That started the growl, which made all the rollers a little smaller over time. Then it was trash. We have some bumps out here. Glad you found it.

[rs899]

It feels like maybe there is one pit in the race.  I have some SKF bearings coming in- last time I bought some they were made in Spain.  Hoping for the best.....did I mention that I hate Chinese bearings?

[smoken u]

best bearings i have ever used were made by FAG ( yes weird name i know) they were built in germany adn i got over 200,000 kms on them

[rs899]

Yes, the current crop of FAG bearings for the late Mk2 looks to be made in Canada.  The Timken bearing I temporarily bought ($46  ) in Autozoo was a repackaged FAG made in Canada. The SKFs I scored on ebay were very cheap and made in Italy. Any of those should be OK, I would think.  Now I need to find somebody with a press who knows what he's doing.

The autopsy on the Chinese bearing was that it had 2 pits in the outer race. Not sure what caused that, but the nut was on way too tight, IMO.