406 HDI DRONING WHEEL BEARING

[womble171]

Hi guys

I have a x reg 406 2.0hdi estate and I have a droning coming from the wheels at motorway speed, the problem is I can't tell which wheel it's coming from?
Is there any way to tell which bearing is the culprit (while the car is stationary), and are they easy enough to replace or do you have to get them pressed out?

[steve_earwig]

That could actually be tyres, what are they and are any backwards?

[keppler]

I have this same problem too. it only appears after about 60mph. If it is a wheel bearing you'll most likely not be able to detect it at stationary. If you turn sharply into the fast lane and the noise goes away/fades out then the problem is on the drivers side, likewise if you turn the sharply to the left and the noise gets goes away then its on the passenger side. As for which end its at having someone drive the car for you while you sit in the back may answer that question.
I've heard of people getting problems like this from tyres....maybe try the lane change trick, find out what side the noise is coming from and then change the front and rear with the spare tyre

You'll have to wait until the noise is present at lower speeds than motorway to detect it by doing the old grab and shake

[womble171]

Thanks guys....

Just had 4 new tyres put on and balanced so I'm guessing that rules tyre noise out as it was there before and still there now.
I did notice that when I was going round a very long swept bend on the motorway that the noise seemed to quieten on the opposite side to the bend, would that be as there is less weight on the bearing? Are they difficult to replace?

[jasper5]

Jack up each wheel in turn and spin the wheel, you should be able to tell by the sound or the feel of the bearing as you spin the wheel, especially if you compare it with another wheel on the same axle.

[keppler]

Thanks guys....

Just had 4 new tyres put on and balanced so I'm guessing that rules tyre noise out as it was there before and still there now.
I did notice that when I was going round a very long swept bend on the motorway that the noise seemed to quieten on the opposite side to the bend, would that be as there is less weight on the bearing? Are they difficult to replace?

Basically yes! But you really need to be on the motorway doing whatever speed it is that makes it sound the loudest and then swing it into the other lane as fast but as 'safely' as you can. If its the rear bearing they're not that hard to replace but you'll need a bearing puller. I think somebody did a youtube video of it or maybe that was on a citroen c5 but its exactly the same process. The front one's are not so easy, you need a press to do it and if you do have access to one you might wanna do your first one or two under supervision as you could damage the new bearing as your pressing it into the hub or worse injure yourself with flying bits and bobs. It may be worth your while removing the front hub and taking it to a garage and getting them to press the old one out and new one in. Im sure it would save you some money in labour.

[womble171]

Thanks keppler.....will take your advice and get the garage to press the new ones in......once I find out if it's font or rear???