wheel bearing or rear end?

[avrfan]

My 95 mark viii started with a minor metallic almost disc grinding sound from the right rear, I did the brakes and still the noise would come and go, especially when turning left. Then over time it progressively got louder, now it sounds and feels (some clunking) like the wheel is going to fall off or something, the faster I drive the worse it sounds. Anyhow, do you guys know if this is probably just the wheel bearing/hub, or could it be my rear diff? I'm not sure.

Thanks

 

[chris2523]

did you check the lug nuts?

 

[avrfan]

Yes the lugs nuts are all tight.

 

[chris2523]

then wheel bearing is my next guess.

 

[driller]

Lug nuts first then wheel bearing. There would be no questions if it was the differential.

 

[beerdog]

Or the bearings in the diff could be getting noisy. How many miles are on your car?

 

[avrfan]

Its got about 165k miles

 

[tixer]

Put the rear end on jack stands, then grab the wheel and see if there's any play front to back, or top to bottom.

I just did this one today. Passenger side rear, also..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kshgogRBRQ&feature=youtu.be

My apologies for the "shaky-cam" This wasn't meant to be pretty, just demonstrative..

 

[beerdog]

At 165K I can guarantee the rear wheel bearings are shot if they are original.

 

[avrfan]

OK, COOL., i DON'T KNOW WHY i DIDN'T HAVE THEM REPLACED ALONG TIME AGO. JUST SITTING THERE FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW.

 

[beerdog]

Even if they "work", they are no where as smooth as new ones.

 

[DieselDan]

If the noise changes while making turns, that is definitely indicative of wheel/hub bearings.

 

[beerdog]

Whenever I changed the wheel bearings on our Mark8's there was never any audible indications of wear while driving, but you would be very surprised at the amount of rotational friction in older bearings. at 165K miles they easily need replacing regardless of if you hear anything. The fronts are easy. The rear wheel bearings are a bit of a project. Especially if the half shaft nut is rusted badly. You may end up having to destroy the half shaft to get everything apart.