Front wheel bearing?
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- ermie571
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Front wheel bearing?
Afternoon. My syncro has been making an intermittent noise from I think the passenger wheel since having new brakes fitted. Initially I thought it was the brake pads settling....then was advised the caliper was sticky so have changed that. Noise still there. Rotational noise. Not squeaking which is how the bearing on the last van went. Have crawled underneath and can't see any rubbing. Any ideas? Van stops and steers ok. No leaks that I can see. Going to check for play in the wheel...but it has just passed its mot and they didn't mention that in the long list of failures lol x is it the same procedure to check bearings as 2wd?
2.1 DJ 1990 Caravelle (died and gone to heaven)
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
- ermie571
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
Ok. Been out to van. In neutral the fron wheel doesn't spin? Is this right? So passenger side no 12 6 movement and a tiny bit of 9 3 movement. Drivers side worse. ..movement on both. Went for a drive...no noise???
2.1 DJ 1990 Caravelle (died and gone to heaven)
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
Hi, when you say It won't spin...is that with just the one wheel lifted? If so it won't coz of the VC, lift both fronts and it will.. Can be hard to pinpoint a noisy bearing and often don't have play in even the loudest of them..if there is play first check the nuts tight in the center...if so yes it's had it...should be none in the fronts but a little in the rears is normal...
If it noisy but no play then driving so as to load it up like a on a big roundabout say can help but be warned sometimes it sounds like the side it isn't!
Good luck,
If it noisy but no play then driving so as to load it up like a on a big roundabout say can help but be warned sometimes it sounds like the side it isn't!
Good luck,

- ermie571
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
Thanks for that xx
2.1 DJ 1990 Caravelle (died and gone to heaven)
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
A slightly bent stoneguard rubbing on the disc at the front will make a hell of a noise too. Or a rock jammed between an inner CV and the subframe 

1985 Oettinger 3.2 Caravelle RHD syncro twin slider. SA Microbus bumpers, duplex winch system, ARC 7X15 period alloys
- ..lee..
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
Common problem after fitting pads is brake back plate rubbing. Don't know why they do it they just do. Give the guard a pull away from the disc before you commit to doing the bearing.
Lee
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- axeman
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
i have a similar problem on my pick up for a while, one of the front wheel bearings is singing at all road speeds from about 10mph, i have diagnosed it as the nearside one as when i turn to the left, putting the load/weight of the van on the off side the sound disappears and as i begin to straighten the sound appears again. strangely there is no play at the wheel at all.
i must get round and sort this out soon as you have just reminded me how annoying it is.
neil
i must get round and sort this out soon as you have just reminded me how annoying it is.
neil
Last edited by axeman on 26 Aug 2013, 20:54, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
If the tracking is out it can make a noise too, a bit like a wo wo wo wo noise getting shorter the faster you go.
Jed
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
Mud terrains sound like wheel bearings as well...I hope...
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
max and caddy wrote:Mud terrains sound like wheel bearings as well...I hope...

- ermie571
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
Hi guys - thanks for all the tips and pointers!
Took it out yesterday....and after about half a mile of the odd moan and groan...absolutely nothing?!
All the way up the motorway....roundabouts....some town work. Parked up...came back coupla hours later....and all ok. Drove it home....nothing....
Will check the back plate - it does sound like metal on metal.....when it does it.
The good news....Changing the caliper has removed the horrible squeaky brake noise!!
Are the bearings a sod to do, and like the 2wd should they be done in pairs....or can you do one at a time??
Jed - interesting comment about the tracking - I shall keep that in mind too!
Em
xx

Took it out yesterday....and after about half a mile of the odd moan and groan...absolutely nothing?!
All the way up the motorway....roundabouts....some town work. Parked up...came back coupla hours later....and all ok. Drove it home....nothing....
Will check the back plate - it does sound like metal on metal.....when it does it.
The good news....Changing the caliper has removed the horrible squeaky brake noise!!
Are the bearings a sod to do, and like the 2wd should they be done in pairs....or can you do one at a time??
Jed - interesting comment about the tracking - I shall keep that in mind too!
Em
xx

2.1 DJ 1990 Caravelle (died and gone to heaven)
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
- pionte
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
No need to do wheel bearings in pairs... unless you are feeling energetic ! usually its the near side ones that fail first, they get the most abuse from pot holes etc . Brakes, shocks and springs yes always as pairs.
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- ermie571
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
Ordered the pair from Brickwerks - if we only need one I have a spare!
thanks all
xx
thanks all
xx
2.1 DJ 1990 Caravelle (died and gone to heaven)
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
- toomanytoys
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
You do realise the Syncro ones are tottally different and you need a press to do it with... Follow the procedure in the bentley..



- ermie571
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Re: Front wheel bearing?
Thanks TTT....got the bently on standby.....and yes, the garage has a press.
thanks for the message.
Em
xx
thanks for the message.

Em
xx
2.1 DJ 1990 Caravelle (died and gone to heaven)
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG
2.0 AGG (1997 ish) 1984 transporter LPG