Ok hi peeps👋 1st post here,but have used the site before for information for my mk1 Fabia 🙂

So I have 2014 mk2 Fabia 1.6 turbo diesel estate,which I have had about 3 & half month & like my mk1 version is a pleasure to drive-part of the reason I got an upgrade..along with MoT failure & its mileage/age..😖

It currently has a rather concerning drumming noise coming from the front end. I’ve heard bearings start go on much older cars before-usually the rear, so hence the thought.

I know it’s not engine related as it’s not after starting & while idling but only when I’m in motion & i’m sure I heard it on the car when driving it home on the m/way. Only then it came in at about 55/60 & waned away soon after by time I got to 70/75.

Only now it seems to more pronounce at normal road speed 25/30 & stays consistent.

It also lessens when going round a left hand bend/turning same corner,but is still evident when doing right hand motions-roundabouts, corners etc.

All cv boots seem to be intact & unsplit.

I’ve had the tracking done few weeks back as required some new tyres.

I’ve tried to add video but getting 1 under 10mb isn’t gonna b easy.

Any pointers thankfully received

Tia

Dave

Well I've had that on a 2000 VW Passat 4Motion - it has a heavy front end, when it was maybe 8 years old and so maybe 60,000 miles, then, we've had that on my wife's 2015 VW Polo 1.2TSI 110PS - which probably has a heavy-ish front end, when it was only 7 or 8 years old (forgotten) and so roughly 35,000 miles - that Polo's (French made) front off side wheel bearing look like it had suffered from water ingress which had made it noisy.

Initially, in the November, I only noticed it when the winter tyres were on and only when driving in a certain area, plan "A" was, "it is just that road surface combined with the winter tyres, then it changed to appearing while driving in all areas, waited until I changed back to summer tyres - it was still there, so time to buy a cheap "made in China" Gen2 wheel bearing tool and 2 F-A-G bearings. I just replaced both sides as typically when something goes on one side the other one is getting the same way, which was probably wrong in my case. I was unable to tie it down to one side anyway, so replacing both seemed like a smart plan - and that worked for me, that car is now at almost 10 years 55,000 miles and still okay.

If you are replacing these bearings yourself, you might end up trashing an ABS sensor or two, I only trashed the second side's one!

I'd describe the noise in both cars as a "wha wha wha" a lot like old army trucks sound like with their all surface tyres, the VW Polo noise initially was only around 55>65MPH but as time went on, it appeared earlier and stayed for most of the road speed range in normal driving. I wouldn't expect that you will be able to detect any "slackness" in the affected wheel(s), so don't let that have you looking elsewhere.

Edited 17 July, 202517 Jul by rum4mo
"army" not "arm" !

Yes it sounds like the bearing is starting to go but make sure your disc and caliper is free as I once had an issue with sticky slide pins and this was causing the noise but in fairnes you will normaly see the pad wear on that side different from inner and outer pad, if you do this job your self you will need a puller set for this model plus of course the new bearing/hub don't buy the cheap ones they don't last, get FAG or SKF hub bearings are a bit more expensive but woth the extra in the long run, make sure the hub has 45 the ABS ring attactched as some hubs don't have them as they are for different year models without ABS but the hub will fit this model it's always best to remove the ABS pick up before removing and then put it back after the new hub is fitted again you will need the kit to do re fit the bearing hub NOT taking the Senor out will result in damage to the sensor I have always fitted a pair of hubs as you might replace the one side but the other side won't be far away, it was a lot cheaper buying the kit from ebay buying the hub and doing the job myself as a garage price was around £350 Just to add always replace the drive shaft locking nurt when refitting, there's a vidieo on you tube that you can watch how to do the job if you are interested and also shows you how to use the kit

My fabia has just over 55500 but yeh the sound is similar to what ya describe-like a heavy flat tyre if ya will. I’ve done the vertical wheel check & nothing moving. Though I spun each wheel & 1 sounded decidedly rough &where the other was smooth.

I’ve got a pair of replacements on order & will be doin the 1 I know to start with.

I actually spent half of a Sunday other week changing both sets discs & pads as discs were little oddly ridged but wasn’t affecting braking & didn’t know if was part the problem😖🤷🏻‍♂️

I’ve watched Harvey’s vid on these & yeh he uses the removal tool,which might b an ideal purchase for replacing tbh-at least I’ll know it’ll go in square.

What I have also noticed & seemingly didn’t when bought the car-though I went round with fine tooth comb,is that on the near side that I reckon is the affected side-I’ve a small kinda dent just under the sill edge all but parallel to the front jack point🤔 possible reason it’s gone so early in miles? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Anyway thanks for the comments chaps & I hope I get it sorted this weekend & continue some good driving. If I still have it anywhere near the 202k my mk1 has,it’ll serve me well 🥰👍

On the topic of using the correct tool kit, I'd not think that it will be worthwhile to start this job before you have this Gen2 kit for 72mm bearings.