Horrendous noise from NSF, gearbox or driveshaft?

[Gorbstein]

Was driving down the motorway yesterday when out of the blue I get a really loud noise from the front nearside. Imagine the sound of a shot wheel bearing, but multiplied in volume by 100. A really deep moaning with an underlying 'dum dum dum' which increases with speed, and causes a bit of shaking in the car. It's so loud you have to shout over it.

It's only audible above 20mph, and isn't related to engine speed. Doesn't change when the clutch is dipped either.

There's no play in the wheels so doubting a bearing (plus they were replaced 600 miles ago). Brakes are free (new discs+pads 200 miles ago), and the tyre is smooth all the way round.

When I jack up and spin the wheel I get a mumbling from either the gearbox or driveshaft, not sure exactly. CV and driveshaft boots are intact and dry though, and everything is tight.

Running out of ideas, any suggestions before I give in and take it to the garage?

This is a 2001 1.4 MPI.

Cheers!

 

[Tucker157]

Does it get worse when accel/ braking, when on full lock?

Unbolt the shafts from the gearbox and see if the noise persists in the air when not moving the wheels,

Loud means the noise is being well transmitted.. Could be a failed engine mount transmitting a grinding... Or the diff could be gone.. Or the new bearing collapsed due to incorrect fitment or tightening.. Lots of things... Look for wear marks on moving components.. Scuffs.. Etc


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[Gorbstein]

No, it's just always there regardless of acceleration, braking or steering.

Thanks for the suggestions, will give it a look tomorrow.

 

[Gorbstein]

Just for the record, it was indeed a collapsed bearing. Even the mechanic was surprised at how loud it was for a bearing, but it may indeed have been fitted incorrectly in the first place.

 

[Tucker157]

Glad to hear its solved, and good on you updating the thread.. I hate finding threads where people describe your exact problem, then never state how it was solved!!!

The old bearing inner race on the outside of the bearing stays on the flange when removed and requires pulled/ ground off, if the mating surface is damaged it can cause the bearing to fail, as can incorrect torque when tightened, sat on its wheels without a shaft fitted/tight, duff shaft causing lots of vibration ( you should know this is happening however) and a hand full of other things..

Not to mention possibly the most common..
A cheap/below par/low quality/badly made bearing!


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