Bearing noise, NOT wheel, possbly transmission, same sound!

[AntonioFisk]

Fiat Scudo Euro Taxi 1.9 diesel 391000 miles. Both wheel bearings have been checked twice by my garage, and even though the sound is just like a wheel bearing I am wondering if at such a high mileage it may be a tranmision or differetial bearing. Has anyone come across this before, if so, any ideas what it may be, the potential cost, and the cure for it? Thanks all Antonio[/b]

 

[graemet]

Have they checked rear wheel bearings as well as fronts?

At 391000 miles, I wouldn't be surprised if it's a transmission noise. You could try getting the transmission ol changed, this can sometimes help quieten down a noisy gearbox!

 

[Burnerman]

Differential bearings, for sure....at that mileage, a replacement gearbox would be sensible.
John

 

[AntonioFisk]

Thanks to both contributors, as I appreciate, mileage is very high, and I will try oil change, and perhaps an additive to see if it quietens, as a precursor to fitting a s/h gearbox. Anyone know if the diesel and petrol, 405 is the same box, if so up to what year? Diesel anything is always a premium, so I would be well pleased if petrol car has the same box.

 

[AntonioFisk]

Forgot to mention, rear end just completely overhauled today, new wheel cylinders, shoes, springs etc. I love my old cab, she gets well looked after lol. That is why it still goes so well at near 400000 miles. Serviced every 5k without fail. Still starts on the button.

 

[Burnerman]

At that sort of mileage mate you should have it framed
An oil change won't quieten things down, you'll just have to live with it until it becomes unbearable, I reckon. I wouldn't have thought anything would do so many miles.
John

 

[AntonioFisk]

Framed, or crushed into a cube??? Might make a nice dining table lol. Think I will try and get the 20 years and half million Plus miles at least out of it first. The vehicle has been so reliable, still on the button, serviced every 5k miles, and currently doing about 400 miles per week.

 

[leewill]

No need for a gear box change just get the diff bearings done not a big job really

 

[AntonioFisk]

Many thanks Lee, will buy a manual, and see how it is done, wish me luck. Even though noise is not worsening since this topic posted, I want to do it before it causes more problems.

 

[leewill]

I should have said not a big job once the gearbox is out, and if your not mechanically minded i wouldn`t start to strip the box yourself, you might be better off taking the box out and giving it to a gearbox specialist to do the bearings for you, the last thing you want is the car in bits, because nobody will want to come round and put it all back together for you.....

 

[ACIDTECHNO]

Having had two diff bearings go ( 1990 Escort and '93 Rover 220) and various wheel bearings, I got to be able to tell the difference in sound. Wheel bearings, as you'd expect, noise changes with speed and not affected by gear changes (coast along in neutral and listen)...diff bearing was more noticable in gear, and when easing off. For example, driving along at say 50, there'd be a slight rumbling ( a 'warbling' sound I used to describe it) lift off, but leave it in gear, and the noise would change, maybe get louder. Just my observations (from many years ago) might help you comfirm it's diff bearing.

 

[AntonioFisk]

Thanks for the info guys, I will check the noise again tomorrow, useful tips. I have had wheel bearings go before, and normally they quieten when turning the steering wheel. These bearings I believe are the wider type, probably needle rollers, and the noise is constant when steering either way. That is why I suspect the diff bearing, but as I said it is only a slight hum at certain speeds at the moment, and I am hyper critical. I did notice today that the nearside tyre has worn on the very inside edge, unusual for the Fiat, also a sign of wheel bearing wear I believe, or tracking but that was done very recently, and I am the only driver and have not hit any kerbs recently to put it out. I will not do the job myself, but do like to be informed on how much work is involved before taking it to a specialist. I am usually hands on, but lately with the cold weather I think it best if I let someone else do it. When a vehicle earns a living, I certainly don't want it to be in bits for very long lol.