Driving on dodgy wheel bearing

domrush

My VW Golf Mk5 recently developed a humming noise when driving over certain speeds. I've brought it to a mechanic who's told me the rear right passenger ball bearing needs replacing. I'm booked into their earliest appointment for next week (Tuesday) however I need the car this weekend in Galway (currently in Dublin).

Would it be a terrible decision to try to drive such a distance with the wheel bearing as is? Car is driving perfectly fine apart from the noise. I would get the bus/train but I need the car for some business over the weekend in Connemara (virtually no public transport). If it's a very bad idea and could risk massive damage or safety issues I won't risk it just said I would ask!

Would appreciate any help folks thanks a mil

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

The wheel might blow off at high speed

Then again it might not

It's a tricky one as it's a bearing. Wouldn't chance it personally

The noise will get worse overtime

CiniO

Is the wheel loose?
If you grab a wheel with 2 hands and try to shake it, can you feel any play?

antodeco

I've the same issue. I've play at 9 and 3 and a small bit at 12 and 6. Dropping it in next week

dexter_morgan

domrush wrote: »

My VW Golf Mk5 recently developed a humming noise when driving over certain speeds. I've brought it to a mechanic who's told me the rear right passenger ball bearing needs replacing. I'm booked into their earliest appointment for next week (Tuesday) however I need the car this weekend in Galway (currently in Dublin).

Would it be a terrible decision to try to drive such a distance with the wheel bearing as is? Car is driving perfectly fine apart from the noise. I would get the bus/train but I need the car for some business over the weekend in Connemara (virtually no public transport). If it's a very bad idea and could risk massive damage or safety issues I won't risk it just said I would ask!

Would appreciate any help folks thanks a mil

That's a long enough drive. The bearing could heat up a lot especially since there is play in it already. I would err on the side of caution and find alternative transport.

endacl

Rent a car for the few days? It’d be cheaper than the potential repair bill if yours goes bang.

domrush

No looseness in the wheel, there is no humming whatsoever if the wheel is turned to 11 o clock.

Its on one of the rear wheels if that makes any difference.

Bigus

It would deafen you with noise before it fails ,which would give you loads of warning, so if you keep moderate speeds she'd be fine to Galway , and as others have said if there's not much play in it , there's plenty (thousands)of miles left in it.

_Brian

I just got a wheel bearing done last week, it was whining for 9 months, but the lads on the garage were confident it was safe and even with a stethoscope they couldn’t be 100% sure which it was as the awd was making diagnoses difficult.
I’d advise asking the mechanic to check for movement, if there is any play to be seen in the wheel when jacked up I wouldn’t consider a long journey, but the mechanic will know if it’s safe or not.