It sounds like I've got a front wheel bearing on the way out (again, less than 2 years/7,000 miles since it was replaced so none too happy). I seem to recall in discussions of the 312mm brake upgrade and discussions about different alloys that the VRS has different wheel hubs to other Fabias and one has to have a VRS hub to be able to do the brake upgrade. Is this the case? Is there any particular reason? I thought the OEM brakes were the same on the 1.4 16v/1.9 tdi and VRS? Seeing as I'm going to need new bearings if not a hub, I just wondered if it were possible, and if there were any merits, in specifying a VRS hub as the replacement part? How urgent is it to get the wheel bearing fixed when you can hear the whining/humming noise from the wheel at all speeds?

Thanks.

What size are your brakes on the 1.4?

I thought the OEM brakes were the same on the 1.4 16v/1.9 tdi and VRS?

Both of the 100bhp engines came with disc brakes all-round instead of drum brakes on the rear like the less-powerful engines. However, the VRS is supposed to have bigger brake discs at the front than the 1.9TDI.

288 mm for the vRS

256 mm for the 1.4 16v and 1.9 TDi (non-vRS).

Can't see the point in swapping one side for a different part, unless you intend to later do the other one and improve the brakes.

288 mm for the vRS

256 mm for the 1.4 16v and 1.9 TDi (non-vRS).

Can't see the point in swapping one side for a different part, unless you intend to later do the other one and improve the brakes.

Also, you would then end up needing to use larger diameter wheels to clear the callipers - and that would need to get done either before or when you uprated the front brakes. (I'm guessing that as you know this much then you are smart enough to know that you would need to change both sides at the same time)