The car seems to have developed a drone at speed, it's not engine related as it doesn't go away when the clutch is pressed. What could it be? Wheel bearings? I'm hoping it will be alright for Castle Combe as I'm not going to get a chance to get it replaced :(

Wheel bearing, just had to do one on the Bora a month back.

difficult to change?

+1 on the bearing, it's pressed so not really a diy job. Might be ok for Combe but I wouldn't chance it for fear of it locking up

Worse at particular speeds? Affected by direction? Both of these point to wheel bearings.

front or rear as a rear one is simple to change as its the whole hub it takes half hour at worst. the front is a garage job tho and the longer it drones the more chance of damage to the drive flange too..

find a new stretch of new tarmac and try and hear where its coming from. it should get louder when the car leans weight on to it too

You can usually diagnose it as a drone getting worse on a left hand bend will mean the right front has gone, and vice versa. If its steady all the time regardless of cornering, its probably only just starting to give up and might be ok for Combe. I would still jack up the front and spin the front wheels, wobble them, holding at quarter to three, and half past twelve positions.

Make sure the garage knows what they're doing as it's easy to damage the abs ring thingy lol

it seems to be a around 45mph, it's not very loud, you have to really listen for it. Will have to chance Combe, I only noticed it day before yesterday so I'm gussing it's only just going, will Jack the car up tomorrow and check for movement. I'll get it changed at service by UNIT 18.

Cheers guys

Mike

it seems to be a around 45mph, it's not very loud, you have to really listen for it. Will have to chance Combe, I only noticed it day before yesterday so I'm gussing it's only just going, will Jack the car up tomorrow and check for movement. I'll get it changed at service by UNIT 18.

Cheers guys

Mike

Definately wheel bearing then.

I had both my front wheel bearings changed 3 weeks ago to fix the same thing. You probably won't find any play in the bearings when you jack the car up, as I didn't. It might be due to the fact that they are sealed double row angular contact ball bearings.

Here's the thread from when I had mine done: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/192006-wheel-bearing-or-cv-joint-failing/page__p__2288761__fromsearch__1#entry2288761

The 6-piece front wheel bearing repair kits are about £42 each from Skoda.

Definately wheel bearing then.

I had both my front wheel bearings changed 3 weeks ago to fix the same thing. You probably won't find any play in the bearings when you jack the car up, as I didn't. It might be due to the fact that they are sealed double row angular contact ball bearings.

Here's the thread from when I had mine done: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/192006-wheel-bearing-or-cv-joint-failing/page__p__2288761__fromsearch__1#entry2288761

The 6-piece front wheel bearing repair kits are about £42 each from Skoda.

Sounds like the same thing. I'm going to have to risk it and get it changed after the track day, hopefully it will be okay

so sounds goes away when I turn left and is there when I turn right or go straight so left bearing??? Is it worth doing both at the same time?

so sounds goes away when I turn left and is there when I turn right or go straight so left bearing??? Is it worth doing both at the same time?

Sounds like the left. I only did one of mine and the other's done a few 10s of thousands of miles since then.

I would just change the dodgy one. I'm not sure there is often a reason why one goes first. perhaps on the road, the left bearing takes more hammering from being on nearside, maybe hitting more potholes, etc? The bearing unit is sealed and is unlikely to spectacularly explode on track.