Is there anything obvious other than shaking the wheel about at 9 and 3 + 12 and 6 ?

 

My rear wheel (I think N/S) has been droning away for hell of a long time.  Only ever increases with speed, never with cornering, so I put it down to real old tyres.  At 70mph the noise is pretty overpowering.

 

Now I am sampling some brand new Nexans on the back I thought the noise would go - but it hasn't.  If anything it seems slightly worse but that could just be my hearing! [pardon?]

 

It is highly plausible the Nexens are simply bad for road noise (as are Maxxis MA-Z1) and therefore I shouldn't really worry what with having no back seats or anything to muffle the noise.

 

I would sure like to rule out new wheel bearing time, but then I wouldn't be surprised given the rear beam IS one of my car's rare original parts which means both rear bearings have done 210,000+ miles, and not spared on the racetrack either!

spin the wheel and put your ear to it if its naffed u'll hear it 

Above

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OK thanks.  So far I have only span it up on the road and my ears were in the driving seat.

OK next question, assuming it is that.  What's the best replacement?  Multitude of choices on Ebay but none appear to be actual OEM.

TPS genuine always better imo

Used a few now. Orbit are a cheap aftermarket but never had any issues, being cheap aftermarket most people will say it's bad.

Used a few FAG which I THINK is oem and again had no issues.

Try MA-Z3 I'm part way switching to them because of the tyre noise on the Z1s.

A failed wheel bearing will not always have any play in it, or be obvious when spun with no load on it. My Audi bearing was whining like a trooper, no play and it was ok until you hit 50mph. After changing it all is quiet again, quiet a relief given the racket it was making. There was no play in it at all, and if spun at low speed nothing was obviously wrong.

As Mannyo says above you wont always hear it but if you spin the wheel with one hand whilst holding the bottom of the shock with the other hand you can usually feel a rumble if its knacked (It should be smooth).

TPS everytime. Its an easy job to do.

A failed wheel bearing will not always have any play in it, or be obvious when spun with no load on it. My Audi bearing was whining like a trooper, no play and it was ok until you hit 50mph. After changing it all is quiet again, quiet a relief given the racket it was making. There was no play in it at all, and if spun at low speed nothing was obviously wrong.

 

I've had them like that as well. No noise or roughness but whining like mad when driving.

TPS everytime. Its an easy job to do.

Fancy a bit of subcontract work? :P I've checked the Skoda manual for it and it's not a job I fancy personally. That's why I'm an accountant.

I would but I doubt you want to travel to Birmingham!

 

In all honesty its just a few bolts, wheel, caliper, disc etc

^ That silencer is not long for this world

^ That silencer is not long for this world

 

8 years old (132k) and still going strong, it was an advisory for 3 MOT's on the trot. Thank god for twin skinned mufflers!

8 years old (132k) and still going strong, it was an advisory for 3 MOT's on the trot. Thank god for twin skinned mufflers!

 

Yes, my original full exhaust lasted nearly ten years. Bloody amazing