Noticed about a week ago a quiet hum as the S2 got up to speed, but I didnt think much of it as I thought it might be clutch or g'box related which both are getting replaced very soon.

On Tuesday the hum suddenly became louder and sounded more like an unbalanced wheel spinning (imaging the wheel wobbling slightly).

From about 15mph you can hear it, and the faster you are going the louder it is. From about 40mph it becomes more of a loud knocking like someone thumping at a door, then the knocking gets faster and faster until its a humming sound at around 60mph.

I've noticed that the knocking sound is at its loudest when the wheels are pointing forwards or to the left. When the wheels are pointing to the right its a lot quieter.

I got the car up on 2 troll jacks, and got the wheels rolling. A mate was listening for the sound from the engine bay ... couldnt hear anything from there at all, but the wheels were wobbling slightly (which I think the problem might be). I can feel the hum/vibration through the steering wheel most of the time, and sometimes through the pedals (more so the brake pedal). The car also feels slightly odd when turning left at speed, not sure how to explain it, almost like the wheel isnt gripping anything or is moving slightly (in a way it shouldnt).

I was going to pop into the local tyre place and see if they can balance the wheels just to see if its that.

Anyone else got an idea ?

 

Guarantee you it's a wheel bearing - get it done before the wheel decides to leave the car .......

Easy way to check - jack up car - leave wheel in place - put hands on tyre at 3 & 9 o'clock & try to rock back & forth to see if there is play if there is your bearing is knackered .........

 

That was the first thing we tried, and there is no play at all ... on either wheel, but I might have another go.

I'm begining to think part of the noise is clutch related as it only seems to be audible when accelerating ... but the most annoying sound sounds like the wheel itself

 

Any play in the TCA bushes ?

Inner or outer

 

This is what i've got on the Series 1 at the moment!

Do you get your steering wheel vibrating aswell?

I'm quite sure it's either a driveshaft or CV joint gone! Although if not, then wheel bearing it is I should think!

Why would a wheel leave the car if the bearing has gone? I've just done a rear bearing on my Series 1 and i'm quite sure the wheel didn't fall off due to the bearing going!

 

check the nut that holds the bearing in place,if this has not been punched down after bearing fitted then they can easily slacken off,other obvious ones is bearing being fucked or wheels not tighten fully

dan,this happened to my mate when he ran around with a noisy bearing,it puts all the load on the shitty 30mm nut that holds the bearing in place,he took a right hander and it decided to pop out busting his ball joint in the process