Rear Wheel bearings

[Jay]

I just checked my rear wheel bearings because the car is making an odd noise from the rear and kind of sounds like a droning/whirring sound when going 65+.

So I jacked the car up and done the test to see if there was any play, now there was maybe 1mm or less (guestimate) play in both rear wheels, is this cause for alarm or still drivable 25miles per day doing about 50mph MAX. Reason I ask is my local garage can't do them till next wednesday!!!

Would you risk it?

[monzablue16v]

Most people don't realise for thousands of miles until next MOT time. I can't say for legal reasons but It might be alright

[dan23]

should be fine for the next few days mate, only thing you need to worry bout is it damaging anything else, but just be carefull, i left mine for ages when inew it needed doing and it got so bad the wheel wouldnt run true and in the end the back wheel wouldnt go round well, but id say it will be ok for another 1000miles if its only got a little bit of play, just dont hack it around and put stress on the back wheel

[Dolly]

there should always be play in your mk2 golfs rear wheel bearings, how much u need someone who has the feel for it ie a mechanic...

as a rule nip them up till no play, literially nip or youll crush the bearings, then back off a turn so you can get a split pin through the gap.. the reason you need play is so as the bearing warms up during driving, it has room to expand ..

[jettagolf]

there should always be play in your mk2 golfs rear wheel bearings, how much u need someone who has the feel for it ie a mechanic...

as a rule nip them up till no play, literially nip or youll crush the bearings, then back off a turn so you can get a split pin through the gap.. the reason you need play is so as the bearing warms up during driving, it has room to expand ..

so true

[JC]

mine has a lot of play  - or so i thought

passed the MOT - and i even questioned it with t he guy who then re checked it ( only thing he properly checked ) and confirmed the above comments .

my wheels spin freely and quiet when weight off so I not too concerned 

[Jay]

ok, if there is meant to be that kind of play, what else could cause the droning/whirring noise @ 65mph+ ? Sounds like metal against metal, could it be my wheel alignment? Because that's also kaput and booked in for the same time as the bearings.

[tobz.]

The play is fine as mentioned but the whirring/droning does probably indicate that your bearings are shot. When they have had it they don't necessarily develop more play but just get noisy.

[Khare]

might sound stupid or something, but what about considering the rear brakes? maybe with the speed of 65+ causes the disc and pads, or shoes and drum, what ever u have, to expand due to motion and rub against something. probably the bearing though

[Jay]

might sound stupid or something, but what about considering the rear brakes? maybe with the speed of 65+ causes the disc and pads, or shoes and drum, what ever u have, to expand due to motion and rub against something. probably the bearing though

Bloody well doesn't want to be my brakes, they were only done about 2 months ago by the mechanic I am taking it to get the wheel bearings done.