Noise... from the wheel? :(

Hey guys 'n' gals. Thanks in advance for reading this post, my baby's sick and I'm looking for a doctor in the house...

A noise has been worsening over the past month, and seems to emanate from the front left wheel. I'm not sure what it is, but here's my best text description:

1. It's as if you're sitting on a new leather chair for the first time. A kind of squeek/slight squawk. I've slowed it right down in and listened to it, and I can only describe it as catwoman walking in her latex.

2. It's definitely wheel motion related - but only happens after a good few miles on the road, and not from cold. So, as I speed up, it too becomes faster. Catwoman would now be doing the 100m sprint against L. Christie.

3. To eliminate a pottential cause, I've had a look at the brakes and disks and there's no unusual wear from all four corners. There's no uneven wear on the rubber either.

4.

Please let me know your thoughts on this, before someone rips me off for a quote - thank you...

Edit>> Forgot to add: it doesn't happen in reverse (?!)

... and I can only describe it as catwoman walking in her latex.

Well I don't know what the problem is, but that's got to be the best funny noise description ever!

I guess the obvious culprit is a wheel bearing. You could jack that side up and try and rock the wheel to see if there's any play in it. It's usually the rears that go though, not the fronts.

Worn bush or wheel bearing...

Thanks for the opinions guys, I was afraid it might be that. I've just got back from town, and after a day of squeak-squawking, and to my surprise it actually faded away for the last eight miles or so home. Well dodge!

Parked up, without any sign of the sound at all, got out and gave the car a wiggle on all four corners again. Now I'm sure that the noise is actually coming from the REAR LEFT. There's no visible play in the wheel... but the squeek is definitely somewhere there.

If it was a bush or bearings, what would it cost me to get it rectified? Should I consider other fixes to eliminate causes, like subframe bolts, alignment etc?

Maybe your induction kit snorted a mouse on your travels.

As the title says really...

Just want to learn from someone's experience of doing this - are they likely to refuse parts I supply?

Thanking you guys in advance...

B

I have exactly the same problem - only kicks in after 5 mins of driving, is rotational and gets worse as you go (offside rear). Then will suddenly go quiet?

I have looked at bushes, drive shaft and diff and can't find fault with any of them! Doesn't sound like a bearing grind, but like a dry joint or something. It is really pissing me off. Have you had anyone look at it yet?

GAry

Just had it looked at a couple of days ago Gary.

Just did a simple test a-la MOT and found that the NSR wheel has a lot of play in it. Most definitely a furked bearing. Having it replaced by Whifbitz next week before the wheel overtakes me one day.

Just had it looked at a couple of days ago Gary.

 

Just did a simple test a-la MOT and found that the NSR wheel has a lot of play in it. Most definitely a furked bearing. Having it replaced by Whifbitz next week before the wheel overtakes me one day.

How much does this cost ?

check your pads

I'd say check your pads too. Is that something you might have overseen?

Richard, I have been advised that this will take around 3 hours in labour, and parts in excess of £150. Looks like a total of over £300.

I'll post up here after it's done on Tuesday.

Been getting quotes for bearing today - Toyota £350, and two local garages £250 and £180 (last one a mate! ).

You can get bearings for £100 min. Then add labour for wherever you go.

My part cost is up because I'll be changing the hub aswell dude. I can't go to Toyota anyway, as they don't have a freewheel ramp that's wide enough

It's still a lot of trouble for £180... he's a good man!

Hub was worn too so another £140 - -bearing was rotating on hub - d'oh

Oh dear mate.

Well, At least that's two less supes on the way out. She was fixed today, three hours of labour later and she's like new once more. Keep the faith!