Droning noise from a rear wheel

[LukeG99]

I've just finished a long journey from Scotland and there was a bad droning noise coming from I think the rear wheels towards the end of the trip which I think is either a bearing or something to do with the tracking from a pothole while I was driving single track roads. Does anyone know what it could be?

[KenONeill]

3 minutes ago, LukeG99 said:

a bearing or something to do with the tracking...

or an out of round rear tyre, or a problem with the front wheel bearings or tracking...

[LukeG99]

1 minute ago, KenONeill said:

or an out of round rear tyre, or a problem with the front wheel bearings or tracking...

What is an out of round tire? It was coming from the right side rear wheel so could be tire related?

[Ootohere]

You are going to have to look at the inside sidewall of the tyre to see if there is a bulge.

Or pull into a tyre and exhaust centre and they can put it on the ramp and see.

 

If checking yourself, before loosening the wheel bolts to remove the wheel, jack up the rear corner and try the wheel spinning and get a strong grip and see if there is any sideways movement that might show the bearing is the problem.

[KenONeill]

10 minutes ago, LukeG99 said:

What is an out of round tire?

Being exhausted due to being on a non-circular course.

 

Or did you mean an "out of round tyre" like I said? In which case it's exactly what it sounds like; a tyre that's not round, causing more wear at one point on the circumference than others, and hence a rhythmic drone from one corner. As @e-Roottoot says, you're going to have to inspect the tyres or get someone to do it for you.

[Ootohere]

@LukeG99

Is it Drums or Discs on the rear of your car, and if drums have they had any servicing / cleaning out done, as in have the drums ever been off?

[LukeG99]

6 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

Being exhausted due to being on a non-circular course.

 

Or did you mean an "out of round tyre" like I said? In which case it's exactly what it sounds like; a tyre that's not round, causing more wear at one point on the circumference than others, and hence a rhythmic drone from one corner. As @e-Roottoot says, you're going to have to inspect the tyres or get someone to do it for you.

My mistake on the spelling lol. I did mean tyre and it's possible that's happened, I'll Jack it up and have a look.

3 minutes ago, e-Roottoot said:

@LukeG99

Is it Drums or Discs on the rear of your car, and if drums have they had any servicing / cleaning out done, as in have the drums ever been off?

Drums and I'm not sure so might need that checking. 

[LukeG99]

19 minutes ago, e-Roottoot said:

You are going to have to look at the inside sidewall of the tyre to see if there is a bulge. pull into a tyre and exhaust centre and they can put it on the ramp and see.

 

If checking yourself, before loosening the wheel bolts to remove the wheel, jack up the rear corner and try the wheel spinning and get a strong grip and see if there is any sideways movement that might show the bearing is the problem.

I'll try those things thanks.

[LukeG99]

I've jacked the car up and the wheel seems fine, the sidewall is the same on both sides and the actual tire doesn't seem to be out of shape, I tried moving the wheel also and nothing moved so I'm not sure what to do

[J.R.]

Spin the wheel whilst holding a fingertip to the inside of the stub axle/hub carrier to feel any vibration that you probably wont hear, then compare it to the other side.

 

Having drum brakes helps as with discs the drag is too much & the wheel has stopped before you can get to touch the axle, standing under a 4 post ramp is the only way with disc brakes as you can spin repeatedly with one hand whilst feeling with the other.

Edited 12 September, 2021 by J.R.

[LukeG99]

39 minutes ago, J.R. said:

Spin the wheel whilst holding a fingertip to the inside of the stub axle/hub carrier to feel any vibration that you probably wont hear, then compare it to the other side.

 

Having drum brakes helps as with discs the drag is too much & the wheel has stopped before you can get to touch the axle, standing under a 4 post ramp is the only way with disc brakes as you can spin repeatedly with one hand whilst feeling with the other.

The driverside rear wheel has vibration and the other side has nothing so I think there's the problem

[Murdockman]

Droning noise 99% wheel bearing, tyre out of round more like a bumping sound, try the spare see if it changes, you have to replace the whole hub bought a pair of hubs from ebay good quality german make £80 the pair, remember to loosen and pull back the abs sensor before removing hub otherwise you will be spending more money on replacement sensors, when i changed mine i had to use a puller to get the old bearing ring off the stub axle but every thing else was straight forward, if changing hubs good time to change brake shoes if you have drums much easier to get at

[LukeG99]

1 hour ago, Murdockman said:

Droning noise 99% wheel bearing, tyre out of round more like a bumping sound, try the spare see if it changes, you have to replace the whole hub bought a pair of hubs from ebay good quality german make £80 the pair, remember to loosen and pull back the abs sensor before removing hub otherwise you will be spending more money on replacement sensors, when i changed mine i had to use a puller to get the old bearing ring off the stub axle but every thing else was straight forward, if changing hubs good time to change brake shoes if you have drums much easier to get at

Okay thanks, is the hub the drum or is that a different part? Do I change the hub and the drums?

[KenONeill]

4 hours ago, Murdockman said:

tyre out of round more like a bumping sound

The only time I've had a tyre out of round it droned, getting more frequent as vehicle speed increased.

[KenONeill]

3 hours ago, LukeG99 said:

Do I change the hub and the drums

The drum forms the outer race of a 4 part assembly, with the roller bearings themselves and the stub axle. I think you also need a specialised bearing press to fit the new rollers.

[UrbanPanzer]

I had droning, was out of round Continental tyres, had really 50peeeeeed on the inside, the noise was awful.

 

 

[mrgf]

Luke, it sounds as though you are not too sure about this work... I would suggest getting it looked at and replaced if needed, by a halfway decent garage. It won't be THAT expensive and is it is the bearing, it will want doing sooner or later.