This has been going on for a while. I just bought some new tires hoping it would fix it since the run-flats were pretty worn. But the roar is still there. It seems like it's speed dependent and the tone changes depending on the direction of the wheel. It's also accompanied by a vibration and is quite loud at 50-60 km/h

New tires today (needed them anyways)
And got and alignment not too long ago as well.

any ideas?

2005
Mini Cooper s
W/ approx. 67,000km on it

 

Bad wheel bearing would be my guess.

 

You got it. Thanks for the help.

Front wheel bearings replaced, runs/feels/sounds smooth as silk now.

 

Thanks for the punch line Jayhoo - much appreciated, and makes the thread valuable!

Charlie

 

Punch line? I think that he was saying thanks to me and telling me that my guess was correct.

 

I have a similar issue with my 05 MCS Convertible, 49000 miles.

I have Goodyear F1's on 17" S-Lite. They are pretty much worn out, but balances ok.

I have rumbling noise from rear (least I think that's where it's coming from). Frequency of the rumble is proportional to the speed, and gets louder when I turn, especially at slow speed.

After reading this thread and few other internet DIY sites regarding wheel bearing, I swore this is wheel bearing issue. So I jacked up the rear to see if there's any free play in the wheel.

Nothing. I grab the tire at 12 - 6 oclock and tried to rock it, and it's rock solid... Both left AND right. Does this mean that bearings are ok?



I turn the wheel by hand.. and there's a bit of noise but it sounds more like brake pad touching the rotor.... nothing rattling, like the ones I see from Youtube.

Here's a question for you.

Should the rear wheel, while off the floor (and brake caliper off) spin freely when you turn it by hand? How freely? I've seen some videos where the wheel would spin freely for 10+ turns... but no matter how hard I spin my MCS, it doesn't spin more than 1/2 turn. Would this be a sign of jammed bearing?

 

Recommend getting your wheel bearings checked.
I think no one can promise, it is not the wheel bearings with out physically examining them. The noise and symptoms are typical of this problem. Bearings can be damaged to the point of requiring replacement with out displaying outward physical signs. My daily driver has been thru 3 sets in the last decade. Damn winter road obstacle courses. :(

 

Does anyone offer a service where I send in old hub ***'y and they fit it with a new bearing? or, can I buy the bearing element and replace it? I have access to a hydraulic bearing puller. If I can remanufacture these myself... I would do that.

 

Had the roaring noise too in my MCS clubman! Changed all wheel bearings... Still had roaring noise. Turns out tires were all feathered!!! Changed tires with new all season Michelins...noise is now gone.

 

Better get an alignment or your new tires will feather like the old ones did.