Wheel bearings going - do I need to cancel our holiday? :(

[Pootle]

There's been an occasional "clunk" from the front when turning for a while and today Mrs Pootle noticed that it seemed a lot worse. Sure enough, on turning there is a definite loud CLUNK! If I slowly slalom the van down the road I hear it every turn. I got out and wobbled the wheels and the drivers side front wheel has quite a lot of play (8mm or so), so I'm suspecting the bearings.

Of course, we're due to go on holiday Saturday morning, two weeks camping in Northumberland. We'll do about 1500 miles, mostly on motorway getting up there but some on twisty roads. Mrs Pootle needs the van for work tomorrow.



Do I need to cancel my holiday? If I leave it, what will likely happen?

Anyone know any friendly VW garages in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne?

[R0B]

i certainly wouldnt be driving any distance before getting it looked at..and dont buy the gsf bearings

[bigherb]

Like rob says check it first, could be any number of things bearings. ball joints. bushes.

[tinman]

A "clunk" with 8mm of play don't sound like wheel bearing!
Get it checked out.
Wouldn't cancel my holiday for a clunk though, get your spanners out

[pionte]

I really would not drive it untill it was fixed.... the thought of something breaking loose at 70 mph on the motorway is frightening ! Imagine the forces generated at that kind of speed, I once had a wheel come of a mini because of excessive play in the lower ball joint, and i wasnt doing 70 mph in a 2.5 ton van at the time ... luckily.

I too would doubt that it is wheel bearing, you would hear a terrible rumble when driving.... not really a clonk, clonking suggests a bush or maybe a snapped spring, although a spring wouldnt cause 8mm of play. Jack the van up, grab hold of the wheel at the top and bottom and see if there is play then, if not then it wont be the bearing, then grab hold and pull forward and backwards and watch to see where the clonk comes from.

Better to postpone your hols by a morning and get it fixed then to risk it.

[Pootle]

OK I think I've found out what's causing the knocking in the driver's side front wheel... and another problem.

There's play in the upper ball joint on the driver's side - circled red below. But look at the link between the anti-roll bar and the radius rod mounting (circled green ) - the top retaining plate has come loose (corrosion?) and the top bush is loose.

How serious are these problems? Can I leave them until I get back from a 1500 mile holiday, or are they urgent?

[Plasticman]

Roll bar drop link, has the threaded part broken off.?if so then discard the link (hacksaw it off if needs be)you can run without it,
Top ball joint , how much play, It would seem that the clunk youve been hearing is the drop link gradually failing, the ball joint would be more likely to wear gradually and so whilst I would check it for "excessive " play I wouldnt panic unless its real bad rocking around like
mike

[Pootle]

Roll bar drop link, has the threaded part broken off.?

No, the bottom of the drop link is still there. I think there's usually a little ridge that keeps the disc in place, but it has corroded away. I'm going to try and bodge it with a hose clip tomorrow.

Top ball joint , how much play, It would seem that the clunk youve been hearing is the drop link gradually failing

I wondered about that. I might try my bodge on the drop link, and if that stops the clunk away we go!

Top ball joint , how much play, ... the ball joint would be more likely to wear gradually and so whilst I would check it for "excessive " play

Well there is about 8mm noticeable clunking play in the driver's side wheel, none on the passenger side. The play is vertical, not horizontal.

Thanks very much for your help

[jamesc76]

sorry but how the hell didnt you notice it before now they have had it! That really need fixed asap, and 1500 miles of wondering when its gonna fail will be fun!

[tinman]

I agree you'd prob get away with the drop link but it will affect the handling otherwise it wouldn't be there.
But the ball joint with 8mm of play and 1500 miles with your family in the van
I'd get it sorted if it was me.

[Plasticman]

Dont waste time with a hose clip try a snowball instead, anyhow as James has said that play is way more than I would be happy with, were talking near on 3/8 inch, Stick a new joint in/on
mike

[jamesc76]

upto you but there not fitted for show, get um both done!

[andisnewsyncro]

If there's something wrong with you van then fix it before you take to the road; you're not the only ones on it

[weldore]

if you cant get a cup for that bush then undo the retaining nut and lift the van up so the weight is of and with a bit of help itll come out of its hole..then get a good size washer that hits the stop on the rod and put it back together...untill you get a new one

that ball joint is dangerous though

[Rozzo]

if that balljoint jumps out of its cup the wheel will fold under if that happens on a fast road you and your family could be hurt badly or killed. it takes about 1 hour to change an upper balljoint. do the maths