L322 Wheel bearing or something else

Hi everybody, having a bit of a issue with my l322, had for the past couple of thousand miles what sounds like a wheel bearing noise (at first we thought tyres but have rotated them with no change), slightly when going straight but most when turning right, especially on quicker roads say 40mph plus on long sweeping bends, sound a bit like a repeating/ rotary noise similar to driving over rumble slowly, hard to explain, no clicks, knocks, bangs.

Had a customer of mine who’s a mechanic have it in today for front left wheel bearing but doesn’t seem to have changed anything, from what iv read if you hear a noise it’s the opposite side (noise sound to be passenger side so would point to drivers side) but mechanic wanted to change passengers first as he said when you turn right, weight is put over to the passenger side bearing causing a noise, which is correct? Or is there no set rule? Out if all my cars non ever needed wheel bearings, did one on the other half’s DS3 but that was obvious which, both mine feel smooth with no play in the wheel, again mechanic said unless it’s ready to disintegrate it can be hard to tell on big heavy wheels as they take much more force to move.

Car drives great and all front suspension arms inc ball joints have been changed within last couple of months, just an irritating whirring/ rumble noise. Any help is welcome. Thanks.

When my rear right wheelbearing on my td6 was going turning right shut it up (taking the weight off it)
Even though it was bad it would vibrate my phone in its holder and make tins rattle but no play could be felt

stustrong said:

When my rear right wheelbearing on my td6 was going turning right shut it up (taking the weight off it)
Even though it was bad it would vibrate my phone in its holder and make tins rattle but no play could be felt

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Could you hear yours through the car or able to say front or rear? Mine definitely sounds front but sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint, iv asked the other half who’s reply was “I can’t hear anything “ .

The bearing taking the weight is the one that makes a noise when failing.

Datatek said:

The bearing taking the weight is the one that makes a noise when failing.

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That’s why we started with passenger side as the noise is when turning right so weight transfer to left, no change. We’ve not ruled out driveshafts but obviously start cheapest, but the feel nice, solid and tight no clicks, clunks or bangs. Doesn’t sound like a diff as it’s only when turning and very slight straight ahead, and it’s not a grind or howl like a diff would normally make.

When my fronts were failing it sounded like the hum was coming from all over the car depending on which way your ears were pointing, and which way the car was going. I ended up having to put a helper in the back and drive around a bit to track it down properly.

May have to try that again, like I say I tried it with me in passenger seat and other half and then swapped over and all she said was “can’t hear anything” both me and mechanic think front passenger side but as you say sometimes depending on where you look can here it.

It was bad for a while but even jacking it up you couldnt tell, camber and bumps in the road at speed brought on the humm and long motorway corners made it obvious it was rear and having a trailer on made it instantly more noticable

“Long motorway corners” that’s where I hear mine or roundabouts taken quicker, as in big roundabouts, not min ones… not trying to handbrake it round them . Another is motorway slips with right hand bend. As I say very slight straight ahead but louder going right, also seems worse on certain road surfaces that’s why at first i swapped front and back tyres over.

stustrong said:

It was bad for a while but even jacking it up you couldnt tell, camber and bumps in the road at speed brought on the humm and long motorway corners made it obvious it was rear and having a trailer on made it instantly more noticable

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Could you feel the bearing through steering? Mine can be felt slightly through wheel when turning right.

rich28uk said:

Could you feel the bearing through steering? Mine can be felt slightly through wheel when turning right.

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Nope nothing steering wise mate

Think I’ll change the drivers side bearing and take it from there. Definitely sounds front end and can be felt through steering but only when Turing.

rich28uk said:

Think I’ll change the drivers side bearing and take it from there. Definitely sounds front end and can be felt through steering but only when Turing.

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Sometimes you can feel additional heat in the hub from a failing bearing after a long drive - as long as your brakes aren’t binding of course…

Steg750 said:

Sometimes you can feel additional heat in the hub from a failing bearing after a long drive - as long as your brakes aren’t binding of course…

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That was one of the first things I did was test temp but no noticeable difference.
I am going to order a new ball joint as I recall the noise started after that and read a few posts that say ball joints can make odd noises. Even though it’s new doesn’t mean it’s a good part.