Humming / droning noise, most noticeable at about 40mph, whether
accelerating, decelerating or coasting.
A bit like the whine of original Landrover tyres on smooth tarmac (but not
as loud!).
Continues same when slip into neutral.
Does not seem to change when cornering left or right.
Suddenly became noticeable about three days ago, but not *loud*.
Trying to decide if it's front wheel bearing or final drive part of
automatic transmission.
How urgent (safety / expense) is remedial action?

Any diagnostic hints gratefully received.
(Mk2 1.6 Golf 1989 automatic)

Tod

toddi wrote:

Humming / droning noise, most noticeable at about 40mph, whether
accelerating, decelerating or coasting.
A bit like the whine of original Landrover tyres on smooth tarmac (but not
as loud!).
Continues same when slip into neutral.
Does not seem to change when cornering left or right.
Suddenly became noticeable about three days ago, but not *loud*.
Trying to decide if it's front wheel bearing or final drive part of
automatic transmission.
How urgent (safety / expense) is remedial action?

Any diagnostic hints gratefully received.
(Mk2 1.6 Golf 1989 automatic)

I'd normally say wheel bearing, if it is quite noticeable I'd say
urgent, esp if the rest of suspension set up is aged, I had a slight
noise on mine, nothing too much to worry about, swapped the top
suspension mounts and the front whine turned into the wheel bearning
knocking on bumps, Ah! [2] Expense wise the bearing itself is about £9
plus the vat from German and Swedish but its a press fit so it'll need a
good knocking out, garages charge around £50-60 to supply and fit [1]

[1] Prices based on my 88 mk2 GTI
[2] I'd say jack the car up and try wobbling the wheel but my knackered
front wheel bearing passed all those tests but being told the front ARB
bush is worn, which was strange as actually getting them to do as they
were told and swap the wheel bearing got rid of the noise and I did the
ARB 3 months later.

--
Jon
Remove "usenetspam" from address above to reply

"toddi" wrote in
:

Humming / droning noise, most noticeable at about 40mph, whether
accelerating, decelerating or coasting.
A bit like the whine of original Landrover tyres on smooth tarmac (but
not as loud!).
Continues same when slip into neutral.
Does not seem to change when cornering left or right.
Suddenly became noticeable about three days ago, but not *loud*.
Trying to decide if it's front wheel bearing or final drive part of
automatic transmission.
How urgent (safety / expense) is remedial action?

Any diagnostic hints gratefully received.
(Mk2 1.6 Golf 1989 automatic)

Tod



Mine did exactly the same, and I thought the same as you - it's a wheel
bearing. It had been doing this for about a month, and I finally went to
see about it at the start of this week.

The noise started at 40mph and then got worse from then on. It was
related to road speed, not engine speed, same as you.

Turns out it was one of the back set of brakes that had seized on. Not
so much that you noticed it stopping you accelerating, but enough to
start whining from about 40mph onwards. The garage pulled them apart,
cleaned off the pads (which are still fine) and disc and it hasn't made
a sound since. Apparently it isn't an uncommon thing.

It might not be what's wrong with yours, but it may be worth checking
out...