Wheel bearing? Or gearbox?

[Simmo80]

So recently iv had the similar noise that i think is front near side wheel bearing. So cos i wanted to measure my discs for replacement while i had everything off i took a look. Doesn't seem to be any excessive movement in the bearing, little bit stiff but think thats the weight of the gearbox. I also noticed some play on the drive shaft, when i twist the shaft it moves about 10mm either way before engaging the gearbox. But i grabbed it past the inner joint of the drive shaft and did the same, so it seems to be inside the gearbox. I think this is the click noise when i get at biting point. 

What could this be? Can it be fixed? Is this where the rough bearing noise is coming from? The splines from the shaft must fit into a bearing inside the box? Should i replace the entire box? 

Thanks in advance 

[ScaniaPBman]

Simmo,

Here's my contribution on this topic from a few years ago

ScaniaPBman.

[Simmo80]

3 hours ago, ScaniaPBman said:

Simmo,

Here's my contribution on this topic from a few years ago

ScaniaPBman.

I think the wheel bearing is on its way out as it does feel a little rough when disc and wheel was off and i was turning it manually. Stethoscope sounds a good idea, not that expensive either so might try that. But iam worried about the bit of movement when i twist the drive shaft (holding it past inner joint closest to box) it moves around 10mm before engaging with a bit of a click. And i can hear this at most times at biting point. 

I take it slip differential bearing are not replaceable and it would mean a gearbox. 

Btw the driver side shaft has no play at all. 

[isetta]

On a previous Ford escort I determined the noise was wheel bearing by going along a switchback road , when I came over a hump causing the weight on wheels to reduce , the sound would almost disappear and when the weight came down with force the noise would considerably increase. 

[Tdci-Peter]

12 hours ago, Simmo80 said:

when i twist the shaft it moves about 10mm either way before engaging the gearbox. But i grabbed it past the inner joint of the drive shaft and did the same, so it seems to be inside the gearbox.

There is quite a lot of play on my driveshafts, inside the gearbox like yours, not in the shaft itself. It has been like that for a long time with no apparent symptoms or problems. Bit of a click sometimes when going from drive to overdrive maybe, but not really noticeable unless you are trying to hear or feel it.

Since gearboxes are not at all easy to repair, I would ignore that. A whine or drone may well be a wheel bearing, and from my experience you will feel nothing at all when testing it with the wheel up. It needs the weight on it, and a fair speed, to make it drone. I have a removed bearing that did this, only by spinning it in a lathe at speed, with as much side pressure as I could manage, could I hear or feel anything, and then only faintly.

The weave test was the best diagnosis. On a reasonably wide straight road with little traffic and good conditions, and about 50mph, gradually build up a weave within your lane. You can get quite a lot of side force with surprisingly narrow weave, no need to cross any lines! A bearing will then vary in tone as the weight transfers. Most likely the faulty one will be on the side with the weight on it, but it is not 100% guaranteed.

If it does not change with weight variation, then it might be a gearbox problem like Mike had, but this is much rarer than the bearing problem. 

[Simmo80]

Thanks. I think ill change the wheel bearings and put up with the click

Thanks Peter

[Lidz17]

To be honest mate the way you've described it sounds like a wheel bearing. Both went on my car not too long ago. Sounds like you've caught it early though which is good, I fitted and replaced both of mine as the mechanic was too expensive. If you need to source any check out Spares hut as they were the cheapest i found. Good luck mate :)

[Simmo80]

8 hours ago, Lidz17 said:

To be honest mate the way you've described it sounds like a wheel bearing. Both went on my car not too long ago. Sounds like you've caught it early though which is good, I fitted and replaced both of mine as the mechanic was too expensive. If you need to source any check out Spares hut as they were the cheapest i found. Good luck mate 🙂

Been looking for the 78mm hub puller, but silly prices.