Grinding. Wheel Bearing???

[Red Westie]

Martin....I'm not discounting what others have said but 'squeeks then grinding noises don't sound like your 'typical' bearing failure. A humming noise who's pitch gets higher with speed? and gets louder over weeks/months of driving. The grinding noise could be immenent failure of a bearing but at this point it would be very obvious when spinning a free wheel.
Yes a few mill of play is normal, tapper roller bearings must not be loaded when adjusting, free play is there to allow for expansion.
Have you had a close look at the top wishbone rubbers?
Anti-roll bar drop link? although a different noise than you describe
Speedo drive cable coming through the N/S/F hub cap, adrift, rounded drive? missing clip?
Shock absorber fault?
Suspension mounting rubbers etc?
Top and bottom ball joints worn?
Martin

[72BUG]

Thanks for the advice Mart

I'll have a good look at everything when I get chance to get the wheel off. Didn't get round to it today due to bad weather and an even worse hangover.

However I am now wondering if maybe it is something brake related after all, as the noise seems to have stopped but the brake pedal has gone spongey. First press it goes about half way down before anything happens but then if I lift off and press again everythin's ok. Like an air lock but as it started at the same time the noise stopped I'm guessing it's probably not a coincidence. Can't see any obvious leaks and there's no noticable drop in the fluid resevoir but I'll probably know more when I get the wheel off and have a proper look.

[Red Westie]

I think you're probably onto something there.....a seized calliper will cause the brake to overheat on one side causing vapour lock (boiling of the brake fluid) with partial or total loss of pedal. Squeek then grinding noises could just be one brake pad seized and wearing.
Martin

[kevtherev]

I'd certainly check the pads (wear) and calliper for any seized parts.

two posts in

[72BUG]

I'd certainly check the pads (wear) and calliper for any seized parts.

two posts in

Gonna brave the cold and have a look in a bit.

Thanks

[72BUG]

Well I found the culprit. The outer bearing is shot. Gonna order a bearing kit on Monday and get it sorted.



Still can't find any reason for the spongey brakes but I think I'll replace the fluid and bleed them and that will hopefully sort that out.

Thanks again for all the replies.

Martin