Help with 4x4 rear wheel hub
 

Hello folks, I wonder if I could ask a little advice....
I had a rear wheel hub/bearing replaced after it went bad, about a year and a half ago. It was replaced and there was no noise.

A few months ago it started humming again, so I chalked it down to a duff bearing and bought a new one.

I removed the 1 year old 'bad' bearing and fitted a new one, an SKF.

Problem is, the wheel bearing drone is still noticeable with the new bearing.
I wondered if there was anything else back there that has the same symptoms/noise as a bad bearing? Is there perhaps anything I overlooked?
I didn't re-grease the splines when I fitted it, can this cause the drone?

I dont really fancy buying yet another bearing, but I can't think what else it could be.

If there are any kind souls on here whom might have any idea for me, I'd be much appreciative.

Thanks!

i would make sure that it's coming from the back rear and not the transfer case. I haven't heard of bearings going bad that fast, but it's possible that you maybe got a bad bearing. Does the bearing you bought have a warranty on it?
It's quite common for the transfer cases on our cars to leak. And if that's what is going on, you better get to getting it repaired.

Just my 2 cents.

Hi, thanks, yes it's definately the rear corner. Noisy when weighted, goes away when light (cornering)

Is there anyone whom can offer further advice on my query?

As it's a SKF one it's a bit strange that it's gone so quickly. Are you sure that it is the bearing.
On mine I've had to change the F/DS one then the R/NS and I now have to do the R/DS. Both times that the rear have gone the car has sounded like an aeroplane and has been noisy all the time the wheels are turning.

Did you try rotating the wheels? Noise from bad tire may change when weight is removed (in turns).

Just to be clear, does the howling from bearing #3 quiet down when turning in one direction only (when that side is unloaded)?

Hi, yes that's right. It has all the symptoms of a bearing, but it isn't the bearing, Im sure of it!
Never thought about the tyres, they are Michelins so should be fine, but they nearing the end of their life.
I'll try swapping the wheels over...

And also, when the bearing went the 1st time (when I was in Poland, real handy!) it di sound like an aeroplane. This time, the drone is definately not as bad and not gettin any louder.
I just wondered if insufficiently greased splines on the rear D/S could cause this?

paulpaul, what you are describing kinda sounds like a CV joint that is starting to go. They will sometimes create that airplane type of sound. If you can (and in a controlled manner), try driving backwards at a good speed or do a rapid acceleration backwards. This will tend to shift the CV joint and make the noise either go away completely or it will get really noisy.

Nice one, thanks, I'll try that. That makes sense about CV joint, possibly could be it.

Maybe you need an alignment. My friend has a VW that kept wearing out bearings, he tried everything. He finally got it aligned and now it's fine… I dunno, just a thought.

I had a bad hum coming from the right front. I changed the bearing and it was still there. Took the wheels off to balance them, still was there. Checked the cv. It was good. Took the tire off the rim and it was a broken belt in the tire. New Tires and hum was gone.