[Trypt]

Driving down to Sydney a couple of weeks ago a stopped to get fuel got back in the car and just as I drove off there was a horrible screeching noise only at low speed though.

Now initially I thought it was pads but it goes away at speed and doesn't change when brakes applied.

Then I noticed there's abit more noise at speed. Like a humming and the brakes have gone abit soft. But still work fine.

Is this wheel bearing failure? How urgent is replacement. It's been sitting in my brothers garage since as I got on a plane the next morning.

[Mattmorgo]

Jack the wheel up of the ground give it a shake back and forth. If only a little bit of play needs tightening but by the sound of it it may have already collapsed. And yes this is an important component which regular Maintance should occur too.

[Fatzook]

IF!!!!! It is a wheel bearing, then it should be fized straight away. You don't want to have it collapse and have your wheel jam up in your wheel arch at speed.

[sbyard]

I had it happen to me. Was heading down to work when suddenly, doing about 60km/h, the car pulled to the left without me doing anyhing. Went away immediately, kept driving. Didn't think too much of it. Did it again, but harder. Turned around and tried to crawl home. Nothing happened for a while of doing something like 60 on the freeway. Got brave and sped up a bit and bam, front left wheel locked up, left a strip, and ol'suzy was immobile for some time after that.

[Trypt]

Spoke to my mechanic who only just did swivel hubs and he said it sounds like a rock in the pad and or glazed pad.

[christover1]

I trim my dust covers of my discs to a minimum, saves rocks getting jammed in.

[SierraDan]

I remove my dust covers.

[christover1]

A small part of the dust cover helps keep crud out of bearing.
Thats why I trim, rather than remove.
Don't know of anyone who has a problem with total removal though.

[Trypt]

I'll be sure to check.everything when I get back to Sydney. How hard are font wheel bearings ive got a fair idea but can it be done with out a press

[christover1]

front can be done without a press usually

[DMAC]

As a general part of Zuke ownership I feel the hubs of each wheel after a run down the highway. Once they get warmer than usual its bearing replacement time.
Boosted Brick did a rebuild write up.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=23397&hilit=hub+rebuild

[Wazz]

When they growl, replace . Load them up by swaying left and right, obviously left corners will load up the right side and so on.

[christover1]

Wazz wrote:

When they growl, replace . Load them up by swaying left and right, obviously left corners will load up the right side and so on.

My poor hearing means the growl no good,
I use the feeling for heat method, and lift n wobble to check