Hit rear wheel - whining noise while driving

[Andruw]

Hi everyone,

I've had to sign up to this forum to ask for help. I drive a Bora as my personal car and I am a member of uk-mkivs.net. I know how annoying it can be with so many newbies asking questions, but I would really appreciate it if somebody could help me out.

A friend of mine owns a mk2 Seat Leon 1.6 diesel. I was driving his car this evening and unfortunately caused some damage to it. I was turning the car around in a car park and hit the rear left wheel against a curb, hitting the wheel side on. I couldn't see the curb due to the snow.

There was some curbing to the alloy, and a few little cracks to the paint. I apologized and said I'd pay to get the wheel refurbished as I assumed that was the extent of the damage.

We set off and once we hit the motorway we released that there was noise coming from that wheel, very noticeable at motorway speeds but it can be heard at about 25-30mph. It gets louder with speed and sounds like a wheel bearing.

I'm unsure if this is due to damage to the wheel, or if I have damaged a suspension component. I have a full sized spare wheel in my car which is the same size so I offered to go over tomorrow and swap it to see if it cures the noise. If it does I know the wheel has been bent and I will buy a replacement.

Does this sound like it could be the wheel or something more?

Thanks guys, would really appreciate some advice.

 

[marty_34]

That could be a damaged tyre thats out of shape, that makes same sound. Couldnt imagine a buckled rim unless hit at speed

Sent from my GT-S5839i using Tapatalk 2

 

[jc_boc]

Have to agree. If you were only reversing I can' see how the wheel is buckled unless you really hit it at speed.

 

[Nath.]

Sounds like a faulty wheel bearing to me. Thing is I can't understand how the wheel bearing has failed with such a small impact whilst reversing.

Normally I would expect it to take a much bigger impact (side on) to do that. *like a handbrake turn into the kerb in the snow* If this was the case I would be worried that the rear suspension arm may be bent too.

I hope it's just a wheel/tyre though..........................

 

[kazand]

did the noise change when turning corners? If it's a wheel bearing as the side loads vary the noise usually does. An out of shape tyre or wheel would remain constant. I'd look at the tyre first then check rim

 

[Cupra R]

I once had a slight bump to my NSR wheel in the Ibiza. I then got this sound. New wheel bearing cured it in my case.

 

[Andruw]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I had a look at it yesterday, tried to put my spare on but it was a different fitments. I assumed most VAG cars were the same.

The hub didn't look straight when I took the wheel off so it looks like I've bent something, although I couldn't see anything obvious.

I have it booked in with a mechanics tomorrow so it's going to be an expensive month.

Moral of the story, don't borrow a mates car and smash it into a kerb

 

[Masterkm]

It will be a Wheel bearing mate, part is around £70ish

 

[Andruw]

It will be a Wheel bearing mate, part is around £70ish

It does sound like a knackered wheel bearing, but would that cause the hub to not be straight?

 

[Smee]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

I had a look at it yesterday, tried to put my spare on but it was a different fitments. I assumed most VAG cars were the same.

The hub didn't look straight when I took the wheel off so it looks like I've bent something, although I couldn't see anything obvious.

I have it booked in with a mechanics tomorrow so it's going to be an expensive month.

Moral of the story, don't borrow a mates car and smash it into a kerb

surely the moral of the story is dont **** about in a carpark when its snowing??

wheel bearing minimum, likely Suspension Arm, maybe bent ARB (if it has one), maybe shock damage aswell.

sorry dude but sounds expensive

 

[Andruw]

surely the moral of the story is dont **** about in a carpark when its snowing??

Yeah that too

wheel bearing minimum, likely Suspension Arm, maybe bent ARB (if it has one), maybe shock damage aswell.

sorry dude but sounds expensive

Yup sounds it, I'll find out tomorrow. Luckily I have just got a big cheque from HMRC. Was going to use it to go abroad later this year but not anymore.

Lesson learnt.

 

[Masterkm]

It does sound like a knackered wheel bearing, but would that cause the hub to not be straight?

I hit the kerb hard with front wheel last year after an event, had new hub, new hub housing and suspension(coilovers) all fitted at same time. I would start with the wheel bearing/hub first then get it a wheel alignment. If still a problem then your going to need the rest too

 

[Andruw]

Mechanic has said we need a new hub and a suspension arm. Awaiting a price