Hi guys, I own a 2009 Jaguar XK 4.2 Liter. While driving on Fwy I began hearing a clicking noise from my passenger side front wheel. It slowly progressed louder and louder to the point I thought that I had a flat tire. I pulled over and visually inspected the rim that was NOT flat at all. I'm thinking it might be the front wheel bearing. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated and welcomed. I called JLR but they only sell the hub assembly in pairs. I'm trying to look elsewhere, suggestions on parts dealers are also welcomed. Thank you so much

 

A nail or screw in the tire sounds just like that. Jack up that wheel and rotate the wheel to try to isolate the sound. Might be a dry CV joint, bearing or?

 

if it were the bearings, I’d be replacing them all “on the same axle”.
Ditto for brakes, tires, bushings, …

 

I’d second that opinion to check the tire carefully for an object (stone, nail, screw, scrap wire or metal). Just because something is stuck in a tire, doesn’t mean it’s going to go flat. If the object didn’t puncture the tire, or is sealing the hole, it still holds air. I’ve picked up lots of stuff in my tires that cause clicking sounds (all of the above listed items), and many didn’t puncture the tire. Look carefully, some of those buggers blend right in with the tire tread. Check the inner sidewall as well, it might be hiding back there.

 

Front wheel bearing. I had to replace the front right on my 07 XK 3 years ago, it was very noisy from the day I bought it, but your symptom happened to me on my Chevy Suburban on the freeway 7 years ago - Suddenly started a clicking/chafing sound and it got quite loud. Pulled over and checked to find no visible problems. Nursed it to the shop and they changed it.
I did not change both sides on either car, and both have run without problem since they were repaired.
Usually, if you can clearly hear the clicking/noise with the car windows closed, it's not something in the tire.

 

Bearing life is, theoretically, very predictable. However, if potholes are a problem where your XK lived, premature failure is likely.
If relatively low miles for wheel bearing failure (below 100K), I would replace the bad one, especially if it's on the RHS.
On the other hand, if you are in the shop, want to save time, or planning an extended trip, "Just do it".

 

Guessing is the most expensive method of troubleshooting closely followed by buying parts you then don't need!

Jack up the wheel:
1. check the bearings for play by gripping the road wheel at 12:00/6:00 o'clock position then 3:00/9:00 o'clock position to see if there's lateral movement. There should be very little if any.
2. spin the wheel and listen for the clicking sound. It should rotate smoothly without 'gripping' at any point unless there's a dry or failing bearing.
3. check the tyre treads for nails or stones as suggested above.
4. check the brake backing plate isn't loose or twisted and catching on the disc (rotor).
5. check the brake caliper is firmly attached but free to slide.

If all is well with the above, check for a loose undertray or wheelarch liner.

Graham

 

I think you should call it quits and sell the defective automobile to me for $8,000 before you're hit with a massive, total-loss repair bill.

 

I want to thank each and everyone of you for the advice. It seems that the inside of my front tire was partially shredded. There was a piece of tire rubber that was hitting part of the control arm and thus making the clacking noise. Never would have guessed.

 

Thanks for posting the result. Too often questions are posted but we never hear the outcome.

I have the wheels off my vehicles at six month intervals for the opportunity to check the inside tyre wall, suspension and brakes. The things that keep me safe on the road and help avoid breakdowns. Always find a few small stones trapped in the treads, sometimes a nail or screw which hasn't caused a puncture but eventually would if ignored and, three times in ten years, a blister on an inside sidewall.

Even more important when not carrying a spare. I know some members have retro-fitted a spare and tools and I've considered this but then comes the problem of what to do about a flat full size wheel with a loaded vehicle.

Graham