V50 Rolling light grinding noise - any idea's?

[Lion Heart]

Hi guys

I have a V50 2008 2.0d Automatic.

I've noted a light rubbing/grinding noise that has gotten very gradually worse over the past 12 months or so.

It's far from unbearable, but there in the background and so looking to get it sorted.

It seems to come in around 30mph and upwards. It's a light background noise, but definitely there.

What's weird though is that the pitch remains pretty constant, so it does not alter as the revs go up/down or when braking particularly, it's just always there in the background once you get a bit of speed up.

Hard to describe the noise TBH. Best description is a light rubbing noise. It does not sound ominous, but sounds like a noise that it shouldn't be making!

Any idea's at all on what this could be?

All help welcome!

[x DTR x]

Sounds like a wheel bearing, can you tell if coming from front or back or which corner?

[Lion Heart]

Its definitely coming from the front, but cannot tell which side at all, even if you open the windows. I would expect a wheel bearing noise to clearly come from one side?

When the wheel bearing was going on our Jeep a few years back it was quite high pitched, whereas this is not squeeky at all. Just constant light grindy noise.

Is wheel bearing still a possibility?

Thanks guys

[Montana]

if its a wheel bearing i would expect the noise to change as to swing the steering from left to right.

My first port of call would be front brakes, either a sticky caliper or the disc guard catching on the disc. Probably a good time to strip the pads off and give pads / caliper a good clean / lube

[Lion Heart]

Actually it's very interesting you say that!

I have noted the pitch changes for a split second when you move the steering wheel from side to side. So that may be indicative of a wheel bearing?

But definitely cannot discern a side though

[FunkyMelon]

Easiest way to check is to jack up the front of the car and spin each of the wheels.

If a wheel bearing is gone you'll be able to wobble the wheel and feel play and the noise will make things very obvious.

[Lion Heart]

Originally Posted by FunkyMelon

Easiest way to check is to jack up the front of the car and spin each of the wheels.

If a wheel bearing is gone you'll be able to wobble the wheel and feel play and the noise will make things very obvious.

Thanks for that, I'll give it a go!!!

Will it be so obvious if it is just on its way out rather than pretty knackered?

[Bendolfc]

It may not be obvious, one of mine was knackered and vibrating to the point that the handbreak button was rattling so much I had to stick blue tack on it, however when jacked up it wasn't obvious which one it was.

[Lion Heart]

Originally Posted by Bendolfc

It may not be obvious, one of mine was knackered and vibrating to the point that the handbreak button was rattling so much I had to stick blue tack on it, however when jacked up it wasn't obvious which one it was.

Yes, that's what I'm concerned about actually as I did give the car a good check over a few months back and could not find anything obvious.

How did you diagnose which wheel bearing it was in your case?

[Bendolfc]

Mechanic took it for a drive and used his ear basically from tone change in different directions.