Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: keithnic on 28 March 2008, 20:36:54

Title: Wheel bearings
Post by: keithnic on 28 March 2008, 20:36:54

Hi, my Omega 3.2 v6 estate auto has developed a whine.  Its definitely connected to road speed as opposed to engine revs. Quite audible as I can hardly hear the engine now.
The garage thought it was the offside rear wheel bearing, but couldn't be sure.  I asked them to be sure as I don't want to spend £250 to find out it was the wrong wheel.
They took the car for a run and used a laser thermometer.  Seemingly dodgy wheel bearings run a lot hotter.  Problem is they were all the same temperature so the garage isn't sure now whats causing the whine.
They said they couldn't get it fast enough on the ramp or rolling road to detect the whine.  I can hear it quite clearly driving it at 30mph.  Perhaps I should be there when they've got it on the ramp/road.
Anyone any suggestions as to what it may be?

Title: Re: Wheel bearings
Post by: pankoboy on 28 March 2008, 20:39:15

maybe diff? how many miles has it done?

Title: Re: Wheel bearings
Post by: Dazzler on 28 March 2008, 20:40:00

Try swapping your wheels from front to back as it may be a dodgey tyre

Title: Re: Wheel bearings
Post by: Marie on 28 March 2008, 20:45:22

my car was wining too, all i did was take the wheels off and rotate them front to back after giving them a good clean and it cured it. havent heard it since. think it was a build up of brake dust.

Title: Re: Wheel bearings
Post by: keithnic on 28 March 2008, 20:53:33

Its 2001 model 73,000 miles.  Tyres are about 6,000 miles old.  

Title: Re: Wheel bearings
Post by: Marie on 28 March 2008, 20:56:04

its worth a trying to see if it clears the winning.

plus its a good idea to rotate you tyres often. i do mine every 3 - 6 months dependent on the wear. :)

Title: Re: Wheel bearings
Post by: hotel21 on 28 March 2008, 21:53:36

If its a wheel bearing you should be able to feel the free play.  Try moving 6/12 and 3/9.  6/12 movement may well be more pronounced. Try same again with someone with their foot on the brakes. If movement vanishes, wheel bearing is suspect...

Title: Re: Wheel bearings
Post by: keithnic on 28 March 2008, 22:00:30

Thanks for the suggestion hotel21, I'll try that tomorrow.  If nothing is noticeable, then I guess I'll just have to wait until its obvious what is causing the noise.

Title: Re: Wheel bearings
Post by: Kevin Wood on 28 March 2008, 22:16:18

Mine has a very slight whine at exactly 40 MPH and under a very specific, and very light load. I'm guessing it's probably the diff. Has been doing it for 20k and hasn't got any worse.

If it's drowning out engine noise it sounds much more serious. Have you checked the diff oil level?

Kevin