Wheel noise

[hornmeister2000]

Afternoon all!

This summer I'm hoping to take my Maestro to Austria. I'm fairly confident of its reliability, but want to check something before I go on such a long journey.

For a couple of years, there's been an odd noise coming from somewhere near the front. It's either a wheel or axle or something and is intermittend. It's a kind of whining noise, not (usually) that loud, and it even happens when the engine is off (tried it rolling down a hill!). The pitch increases with speed. It stops if the car turns to the left. It is only noticable over about 50mph.

This has been happening for a while and hasn't caused a problem but this weekend it was quite loud and I was wondering if anyone knows what it is.

Some advice would be greatly appreciated.

Neil

[Simon]

Sounds like a wheelbearing to me.

[E_T_V]

Either that or a CV joint but they usually start to rumble when turning in a direction. To check jack up the wheel and support it on an axle stand. Then try to rock it backward and forward holding the top and bottom of the wheel. If you can detect play then the bearing has probably gone (although it is supposed to be checked on the MOT) Also worth checking while the car is jacked up is the condition of the brake pads as it could be these catching whilst you drive and just make sure that shield on the brake disc isn't touching the disc.