My01 996TT suspect wheel bearing - Need help

[rswamy]

Ok, I'll describe it the best I can. The noise I am getting is obvious at highway speeds. I you have travelled on a jet often you will know what I am talking about. It is a cyclic whining noise. It does not go away if I put the car in neutral and foot off the gas pedal, so I'm assuming it has noting to do with the drive train. On back streets there is no noise but again foot off the gas and in neutral, I can feel a mild grinding with my foot barely on the brake pedal. Any help on how to confirm bad bearing will be appreciated.

[Loren]

Start by checking the brake pads to rule them out.

[rswamy]

Start by checking the brake pads to rule them out.

Interesting!!! I did inspect the pads and rotors yesterday. The rotors could use some resurfacing. Also, jacked up the car and tried to see if there was any play in the bearings. No obvious play, steering wheel seems to move with with minimal movement on the wheels. No bearing play when I try to jiggle the wheel at 12 and 6 O'clock positions. I will inspect the pads and rotors throughly next weekend. Thanks

Edited October 1, 2012 by rswamy

[wupe]

I think Loren is right. I had a rear bearing problem a few years ago, it started with loud muffler noise at speed over 25mph.

[jsmith996tt]

I had the same problem with my passenger side front wheel bearing. Tried all the regular tricks for troubleshooting, raise the car and wiggle the wheel, check for heat, try to turn sharp left/right to see if the noise went away and put my ear to the bearing to see if I heard grinding. The bearing is torque to 340 foot/lbs so the normal troubleshooting doesn't work. If you can isolate it to the front left or right chances are its the bearing. I have the drivers side going out now. I spent all that money on a stereo and can barely hear it. guess I should have changed them both at the same time.

Joel