Wadey
Member Since: 21 Jan 2016
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 5
  
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| Whining Noise and Vibration |
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Over the last few days I've started to get a loud whining noise from the front end of the car (I've already checked it wasn't the wife!).
Now there is a very fine vibration coming through the steering wheel at lower speeds. The noise and the vibration stop when the car stops but it keeps going until I come to a complete stand still.
The car was serviced and MOT'd 2 weeks ago and got a clean bill of health but I have had it across a muddy field in the meantime and it got pretty bogged down a couple of times but nothing serious.
Any ideas what it might be and ideally a solution?
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 21st Jan 2016 10:56 am |
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SpiderBaby
D3 Decade
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1407
 
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First thing I'd check is the front wheel bearings.
Get the front up on axle stands and check for play - also rotate the wheel and listen / feel for roughness. I see no ships........
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| 21st Jan 2016 11:14 am |
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Wadey
Member Since: 21 Jan 2016
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 5
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I'll try that.
If there is a roughness would that suggest muck/grit in there and if so how can I get it out?
I'd like to think there wouldn't be any play as the health check at the service and the MOT indicated no signs and the car is only 3 years old and has less than 30k miles on the clock.
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| 21st Jan 2016 11:22 am |
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SpiderBaby
D3 Decade
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1407
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If it is the front bearings then it's a whole new hub.
There doesn't need to be 'feelable' play for the bearing to be shot - I know from experience. I found mine by listening when rotated.
A new hub (Timken) is around £100 plus a couple of hours DIY.
You could find a nice empty open space (car park?) and try turning the car in large arcs - if the noise lessens going to either left or right then it would certainly point to the bearing. I see no ships........
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| 21st Jan 2016 12:16 pm |
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Wadey
Member Since: 21 Jan 2016
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 5
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I'll try the driving in large arcs on my way home this evening.
Is there any risk in continuing to use the car?
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| 21st Jan 2016 2:36 pm |
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davidsmith1307
Member Since: 05 Mar 2015
Location: Hull
Posts: 11
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Only if Noah complains 
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| 21st Jan 2016 2:44 pm |
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hugeviking
Member Since: 08 Jun 2010
Location: cotswolds
Posts: 1482
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Don't know about the wining, but mud stuck to the inside of the wheel can cause out of balance vibration.
Andi.
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| 21st Jan 2016 4:59 pm |
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Wadey
Member Since: 21 Jan 2016
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 5
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Latest Update:
I tried the driving in long arcs on my way home last night and the noise came and went but not when I would have expected it to so ended up more confused.
I got under the card and checked for any play or anything loose but all seemed well.
I did however find a fair few lumps of dried mud so I jacked the suspension up to off road height, turned the wheel to full lock and gave it a bloody good jet washing.
Loads of much came out and the noise has gone, at least for now, so it may have just been dried mud pushing something out of place!!
Fingers crossed the noise doesn't come back!!
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| 22nd Jan 2016 1:20 pm |
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hugeviking
Member Since: 08 Jun 2010
Location: cotswolds
Posts: 1482
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| 22nd Jan 2016 6:57 pm |
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SpiderBaby
D3 Decade
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 1407
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Sounds like a good result I see no ships........
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| 22nd Jan 2016 7:07 pm |
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Wadey
Member Since: 21 Jan 2016
Location: Buckinghamshire
Posts: 5
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It's been fine all weekend so I'll put that down as an absolute win and a lesson learned - if you get it stuck in the mud make sure you give it a thorough clean!!! 
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| 25th Jan 2016 4:52 pm |
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