Wheel bearing noise not a Wheel bearing

**PCDoctor** · 27-06-2009,07:47 PM

Hi ALL

Just had my 03 tdi Passat in the garage today to have the front and rear near side wheel bearings replaced

This was due to a Humming noise appearing at 60+ mph and was worse turning right and would disapear in a straight line and turning left

Collected the car from Garage late today and still not fixed and they are thinking Gearbox

It is now even worse than before with making a really bad noise at 40+ mph (Sounds Like driving over motorway rumble strip and gets worse if you go over roads that are not exactly flat ie roller coaster feeling and turning the steering wheel left and right makes a right humming noise
I Have even tried coasting out of gear at 40+ Mph and same problem

I Was conviced also it was wheel bearing after turning left and right giving different results

They think its when the drive shaft is moving up and down which is making worse

Has anyone else had the same problem and believe its the Gearbox being the issue

Look forward to your comments

**euroconnection** · 02-07-2009,09:48 AM

has any one checked the diff oil??

**saintsman** · 02-07-2009,07:52 PM

Hello, go to page 7, and read louis73's post and reply,s. Seems this is a common fault. Cheers

**PCDoctor** · 04-07-2009,11:10 PM

Well guys and Girls

Cars been at the garage a week and went to collect it today after the Gearbox had been to the Gearbox man and had a new diff bearing fitted and gusess what

Still the same

Well left the car with them and they are going to replace again the NS Front wheel bearing, they are at a bit of a loss

I'm lost too.. they have had the car longer than i have owned it

Hope its the bearing as things were made worse after they changed it the first time !!

**vwpotts** · 05-07-2009,02:38 PM

Hi, don't know if this will help but I had what sounds like a similar noise on my 2002 TDi Estate and it turned out to be the c.v. joint,has anyone checked them out?

**PCDoctor** · 05-07-2009,06:47 PM

Hi, Between the First wheel bearing change and the Gearbox check - overhaul i did a full lock to lock check and no noise at all.....

I Really do think it is another front bearing or something at this end as it is 10 times worse than before they touched it

Driving at 40+ in a perfect straight line nothing but soon as you turn the wheel left or right then humming droning noise apppears

Take the car to 70+ then vertually stopped but i think thats because we is going to quick

Can also slightly feel it in the steering wheel and that strange change in tone of noise when the road is undulating ??

Cars can't live with or with out them unless you rely on public transport but that don't work to well either

Lost and stressed and looking for a clue

Mike McKinstry · 10-07-2009,10:32 PM

I had terrible rumbling from rear wheels when tyres started to wear-actually had local independent put car up on ramp and check bearings.One set of new tyres and all is as quiet as new!

A check of tyres may help?

**ini** · 11-07-2009,01:23 AM

New tyres on some alloys can start to make a ringing noise, almost like a bell at certain speeds .

Strangely this can be exagerated by overtightening the wheel bolts.

**black magic** · 11-07-2009,11:17 AM

Having the same trouble with my 1.8 20v turbo , iv had a good look round and been in touch with a coulpe of car parts reps that come to my shop, and guess what ......passat cv joints are there no1 seller, going down to my local G.S.F to pick up 2 new ones today (only £33 each) . I will let every one know how i get on and hopefully this will help every one out

**PCDoctor** · 13-07-2009,10:24 PM

Hi all

Car going back in to the garage tuesday to have the gearbox removed again due to the noise and the chuffin box leaking oil due to last repair

Had 4 mechanics including VW and Indy VW say it is still the diff bearing in the box

They say it was either replaced with a dodgy bearing or it was over shimmed

What seems to be giving it away is stering left and right you get the same droning tone at 40 + but stops when straight steering and going over undulating road makes it worst i.e drive shaft moving up and down put more or less pressure on the diff bearing

VW did a report and cost for this job and you dont get much change out of 3K

Shall keep you informed of what is happening