Wheel bearing rumble?

[Deev]

Okay so I've had my shiny new (to me!) mk2 TDI Sport since Sunday and it's done little more than put a big smile on my face since then, but one thing is worrying me... I've noticed it's making a strange knackered-wheel-bearing-esque noise in a certain speed band...

Basically at around 20mph there's a definite rumbling sound from somwhere on the final drive. As the speed increases to around 40mph the rumbling turns into more of a low moany whine, whilst at above 40mph it disappears again. I thought it might be road surface at first, but it happens on many different types of road surface. It's definitely the final drive as it is independent of the engine speed (ie it will do it when freewheeling).

Am I just being paranoid? Am I hearing something that's normal and making a big thing of it? Obviously as the car is new to me I have nothing to compare it to - but from having old clapped out cars in the past it sounds distinctly like a rough wheel bearing... But on a car that's only 2 years old and has only covered 19000 miles?!?

I spoke to my local stealer who advised me to book it in (he didn't have anyone free to whizz round the block for a listen there and then). He did reassure me that if it was a bearing then it would be covered by the warranty so it's not a huge issue - just a bit annoying - and a bit odd.

 

[Tam]

Either just tyre noise, that your not used too ...

OR

Which is probably more than likely the issue - your rear tyres have worn wrongly on the inside (common fault with these cars and their suspension set-up) which is causing this

Do a search lots of information on it.
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=143311&highlight=rear+tyre for example

Is it quite and early build car????

 

[Deev]

Interesting...

I'm guessing it is an earlyish build, being that it's a 55, although I had a good look at all of my tyres this morning and there doesn't seem to be any uneven wear.

The dealer did suggest it may be the tyres, although it does sound a bit loud for that. It definitely sounds bearing-y although I suppose it could realistically be more than that.

 

[OLDOILER]

Either just tyre noise, that your not used too ...

OR

Which is probably more than likely the issue - your rear tyres have worn wrongly on the inside (common fault with these cars and their suspension set-up) which is causing this

Do a search lots of information on it.
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=143311&highlight=rear+tyre for example

Is it quite and early build car????

Get it checked out foc, should be a seat bullitin out to adjust rear wheel alignment [inside edge wears like a 50p]

 

[Deev]

Update...

I've just had my car back from the dealer (after suffering the indignity of the absolute abortion of a car that is the Chrysler Sebring... Ugh ugh ugh!) to be told there is nothing wrong with the wheel bearing but that the problem is indeed down to uneven wear on the inside of both of my rear tyres. They swapped the rear wheels for others they had and the sound disappeared. Interestingly though, when I suggested it may be the early build alignment, they dismissed the idea. Apparently there was nothing wrong with the car that would *cause* that wear and that their best theory was that the front and rear tyres had been swapped at some point. I questioned whether it was possible that the car *had* suffered the alignment problem which had subsequently been fixed and that this wear was from that, but they thought that highly unlikely, especially given the mileage on my car (21k now).

The dealer suggested I go back to the dealer I bought the vehicle from and explain the situation. The service manager offered to speak to them to explain the problem if necessary. He seems to think they'll just ask the Seat dealer to replace the tyres for them (being that the dealer I bought the car from is over 100 miles away).

Still seems strange though. Quite a coincidence, the worn inside tyres.

Hmmm...

 

[Biffbox]

Rumbling noise sub 30 mph

I am having the same problem. Just had it back from the dealers, but it is still rumbling. They claim it is rear wheel alignment causing wear on inside edge of rear tyre.
They claim it is not the bearings, but I am not so sure. Like you I have the noise on all types of road surface and in gear or free-wheeling. My car is only 8 months old and has 7000 miles on it. Despite there being wear on the inside edge, they have not replaced the tyres, saying they need to wait to get a report from Spain!!!!
Have Seat issued a notice about bearing problems? I haven't seen anything.
The noise is really annoying and not endearing the car to me.

Not a happy teddy.

 

[Deev]

It's quite a common problem that they should be aware of and should sort out for you if you stamp your feet enough. You'll probably find the inside edge of your rear tyres has worn in a strange way if you rub your hand round. In worst cases they end up looking like a 50p piece!

 

[Stealthdave]

I too have noticed the same/similar problem for a while now (56 plate, 13k miles)., but have been wondering what it was. At first I thought it may just be grit in one of the tyres, but Im sure it doesn't happen on all road surfaces...

 

[OLDOILER]

I too have noticed the same/similar problem for a while now (56 plate, 13k miles)., but have been wondering what it was. At first I thought it may just be grit in one of the tyres, but Im sure it doesn't happen on all road surfaces...

It is a KNOWN problem at SEAT UK and there is a service bulltin for resetting the rear suspension.
Builds affected appear to be pre 57 plates. Had my daughters done under warranty and also put in the bill for new tyres - still waiting the outcome of that. ..........................................

 

[Stealthdave]

So they didnt automatically fit new tyres then?

Do you know the service bulliten by any chance?

 

[Trapper]

Hi All

It is a known problem & ther is a Bulletin out for it, but you have to have less than 9K on the clock or they are not intrested. As you can tell mine had more than 9K when it was found.

I replaced my rears with GOODYEAR EAGLE ASYM XL's not a problem since.

 

[Deev]

Yeah I stuck a pair of Goodyear Excellences on my rear axle about 7k ago and haven't had the problem since.

 

[leon1p]

Sorry deev PM'd you before I spotted this.. Sounds like excellences are the way to go.. although would have liked a more aggressive tread pattern.

 

[Stealthdave]

message for Trapper and Deev..

Are you saying you just replaced the tyres without having the suspension fixed?

Have emailed seat UK, just waiting on a response.

 

[Deev]

Well when I originally had the car at the dealer querying the problem (before I asked the forum) they said they had checked the geometry and all was well...

 

[flakmunky]

Are you sure you aren't just hungry?

 

[Deev]

Are you sure you aren't just hungry?

Ho ho ho...

 

[flakmunky]

I'll get my coat...

 

[Trapper]

Hi Stealthdave

No stealer checked out the Geo & said it was OK.

 

[Stealthdave]

I'm a bit confused now if Deev and Trapper have not had the suspension reset, and simply replacing the tires fixed it......