New noise

So got a wind like noise when moving but not at standstill, at first thought it was something to do with the inlet gasket I changed the other day but that seems like coincidence, any ideas?!! maybe the bearings underneath? But doesn't seem louder with window open!! 2005 1.8 if that helps!!

Vcu brgs or wheel brg

will pop it up on ramps and look later cheers

freelance said:

Vcu brgs or wheel brg

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Agreed.

Now, if i was to squirt the propshaft bearings with wd40 and it changed tone or stopped, that would be a fair indicator if faulty?

wastelandbiker said:

Now, if i was to squirt the propshaft bearings with wd40 and it changed tone or stopped, that would be a fair indicator if faulty?

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Yes. But it would also trash the bearings if there's nothing wrong with them.

Argh, so is there anyway to see if they need replacing?

wastelandbiker said:

Argh, so is there anyway to see if they need replacing?

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It’s usually the front VCU bearing. Give the prop a thump with the side of your fist - if it knocks, it’s gone. Compare it to the rear one.

If you’re careful, you can lift all 4 wheels off the ground, have the car running and in gear, and use a long screwdriver to listen to the bearing housings. I’ve done this, and you can hear the bad bearing droning.

For a wheel bearing, lift it and its mate on the other side, and check for play. Spin the wheel and listen for the droning noise, or hold on to the spring and feel the vibration as you spin it.

cheers, guessing it needs doing asap if it has gone or its gonna naff up the vcu?

wastelandbiker said:

cheers, guessing it needs doing asap if it has gone or its gonna naff up the vcu?

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If it’s just the support bearing, it shouldn’t bother the VCU too much. But I did leave one droning for a little too long and it broke up, letting the prop waggle about in the housing.

The wife was driving to work at the time, so she abandoned it in an M&S car park and took the bus in. I turned up with a mate, took the prop off, drove home, picking up a new bearing on the way. Had it sorted before she got home!

Get a decent replacement bearing. No Allmakes/Britpart/generic sh1te. They only last a year.

So it's not the propshaft bearings, so need to get my jack back and check wheel bearings.

You said your getting a wind like noise after replacing the inlet gasket. If the gasket wasn't sealing properly would you get an odd noise?

but it's only when moving, not stationary.

Might be worth checking the brake covers, they rust away until they collapse and could be rubbing.

I've just had to replace VCU bearings but there wasn't really any noticeable noise when turning the prop by hand or giving it a knock. Easiest way to check if you can is just whip the prop and VCU off as one and take it for a drive. That way you're eliminating VCU bearings and the UJs. When I took my prop off to check it was obvious by spinning the bearings by hand that one had failed.