Hi all,

Here I am again, after deciding not to drop the Octavia for something smaller and more economical, it has developed another problem!

This one's got me worried, it has significantly worsened over the week to the point I didin't dare go over 60mph on the motorway on the way home!

There is a kind of humming type noise. I would say it sounds a bit like metal on metal that isn't properly lubricated (which is what I'm guessing is probably the problem!). It varies with speed only. I've checked it by dipping the clutch and its still there. The pitch rises with speed, it is there at pretty much all speeds, but becomes really noticable above 20mph. It is constant and is not a 'click click' type noise. I've tried swingning one one and the other, and although initially I didn't notice any difference, tonight I noticed that it does lessen when I turn very slightly left and is stronger turning very slightly right...and I mean very slightly, I only needed to move the wheel about 1 cm!

My current diagnoses is that it is wheel bearing, but reading around the net, i can't find someone desribing my symptoms who did turn out to heave a bearing problem...so not sure.

Looking around the car I discovered another issue, which may or may not be related, although I'm pretty certain it is not causing my noise. On the passenger side rear, the suspension strut buffer stop rubber has split completely around one of the thin parts and the bottom bit has fallen down to rest on the strut cover leaving a bear rod. (at least my colleague\boss tells me it is the buffer stop - and he has worked for subaru race car, and lotus and helped develop active suspension,so he should know!!)

So does my problem sound like a wheel bearing? How much should it cost to repair?

I'm asking here, as I can't get hold of my mechanic today...its his day off. And its worrying me....that new car is looking more attractive now. The wife is now talking about wanting to get rid of it. (Although it has now 131K 1.9Tdi 130 L&K (love it!), i;ve been assured by this forum before its got many more mile in it yet....I'm just worried about the ongoing costs to get it that far now....it cost a bout £2000 lat year in maintanance and tyres (about 22k mile pa))

Sorry I'll stop rambling now and give you a chance to answer

Thanks in advance,

Topher

That will probably be your front nearside wheel bearing.

The rear bump stops are well know for falling apart. I replaced when I changed the rear shocks. Changing them is easy, just need a trolley back and some sockets to undo the various nuts & bolts.

Mine is nearly on 177k, so you still have some more miles to get in! Alternatively you can flog the car to me for £10 as it sounds well knackered