Hello,

I think my V70 may need a new wheel bearing hub assembly, but I am not 100% sure. Just looking for a second opinion before I start working on my car.

So the symptoms are as follows: driving in a straight line at certain speeds (most noticable between 40 and 60mph), and also while going around curves to the right (noticable at almost any speed) I hear what sounds almost like a groany noise most of the time when it becomes apparent, but at freeway speeds it actually sounds more like what I am used to a failing wheel bearing sounding like. Slowing down to a stop it can be noticable as well. The tone of the sound does NOT change with any relation to throttle pressure or drivetrain load, it is noticable at the same times regardless of how hard the throttle is pressed or even if it's not being pressed at all. Again it is more noticable going around curves to the right. From my experience, this does not exactly sound the same as failing wheel bearings which I have heard in the past (except at higher speeds), however the times that the symptoms show up lead me to eliminate anything to do with the differential (no change in sound when pressing/letting up on gas pedal) or axle (absolutely no noise during slow turns near the steering-wheel lock point). So the only thing I can think of it being is the wheel bearing on the front left side, since it's receiving the most load in that area when you go around curves to the right. I guess it could be the rear right also, but I'm pretty sure its coming from the front. Also, the sound completely disappears when going around curves to the left.

So to anyone who might know, does this sound like a failing wheel bearing to you? Thank you very much for your help!

 

The way I used to diagnose a noisy wheel bearing is as follows:

1. Put the car up on jack stands so all four wheels are off the ground; make sure it's secure since you're going to be "driving" it..
2. For the driven wheels it a little easier; start the engine, put in drive and leave it idle. Walk around to each driven wheel; put your ear right down near the each wheel hub. If you have a wheel bearing going out it will sound diffferent, louder and like a growling noise.
3. For the un-driven wheels (rears on V70) you will have to spin each of the wheels (engine off so you can hear better) as fast as you can manually and again put your ear right near the hub and listen. Sometimes it helps here to have a helper spin the wheel while you listen.

Good luck.