POTHOLES AND WHEEL BEARINGS

[Solentview]

Please connect with my post from last year concerning replacement of the rubber bushes in the front lower wishbone/control arms. One thing that I failed to mention was the impact of hitting the pothole on the A34 (just south of Newbury, earlier last year) damaged the front near-side steel wheel rim, which was easily dressed out by my local wheel and tyre specialist, and I now also know that the impact was sufficient to damage the front near-side wheel bearing as well.

The damaged bearing has obviously been maturing slowly, and unusual noises started about a month ago. At first it sounded very similar to a leaking exhaust but the bearing noise quickly mellowed into a drone, and I was able to detect a faint change in tone when the centre of gravity shifted as the vehicle rounded a bend.
The usual checks on drive shafts and wheels and hubs with the weight of the vehicle off the ground revealed nothing - but - after a fairly long run earlier this week, I noticed that the front near-side wheel rim was much warmer than the others, so the friction that is generating noise is also generating heat.

I mention the change in temperature of the wheel, in case it assists others in diagnosing similar issues - it had certainly never occurred to me that a failing bearing might generate excess heat, but it is obvious to me now.
Solentview           

[SirDavidAlhambra]

Thank you for the tip, Solentview.

I once diagnosed a sticking brake calliper by putting the infra red thermometer on the wheel.

Also sometimes you can tell a faulty wheel bearing by going fast around a corner and listening out for a whooo whooo whooo type of noise

[johnnyroper]

Please connect with my post from last year concerning replacement of the rubber bushes in the front lower wishbone/control arms. One thing that I failed to mention was the impact of hitting the pothole on the A34 (just south of Newbury, earlier last year) damaged the front near-side steel wheel rim, which was easily dressed out by my local wheel and tyre specialist, and I now also know that the impact was sufficient to damage the front near-side wheel bearing as well.

The damaged bearing has obviously been maturing slowly, and unusual noises started about a month ago. At first it sounded very similar to a leaking exhaust but the bearing noise quickly mellowed into a drone, and I was able to detect a faint change in tone when the centre of gravity shifted as the vehicle rounded a bend.
The usual checks on drive shafts and wheels and hubs with the weight of the vehicle off the ground revealed nothing - but - after a fairly long run earlier this week, I noticed that the front near-side wheel rim was much warmer than the others, so the friction that is generating noise is also generating heat.

I mention the change in temperature of the wheel, in case it assists others in diagnosing similar issues - it had certainly never occurred to me that a failing bearing might generate excess heat, but it is obvious to me now.
Solentview           

Yep worn bearings produce heat,we have monitoring gear on the trains at work to detect ?hot axle box?s? along with lineside gear that monitors for hot box?s as they pass. It?s a rather serious thing having knackered bearings on rail vehicles.