I would try and rent another car - if it's making that noise, you do not want to risk it.

 

If you get complete Wheel Bearing Failure you'll know about it...
Its dangerous and I wouldnt drive it until sorted.

Its not a big job for a DIY or to take into a garage if you dont want the hassle... for peice of mind, replace it...

 

When the bearing finally gives up and collapses your wheel will fall off and you and others may end up dead...so don't even think about driving it more than a few yards to a garage to get it repaired!

 

If you raise the wheel off the ground, can you feel any movement if you try to rock the wheel - push/pull top to bottom and/or side to side? If none, it's probably a surprisingly small area of damage making all the noise, and you can carry on for a while (obviously don't try any adventurous cornering!) If there's a bit of movement and your breakdown cover is up to date just go carefully and keep listening for any rapid change. Perhaps someone else could report on what happened if they had a max fail?

 

I was just trying to find you a good How to regarding rear wheel bearing, so here it is: http://www.mgfcar.de/wheel_bearing/index.htm

As others suggested, I also would not drive such car, and I would suggest to replace it before driving it.

 

I've had a rear wheel bearing go and it was one of the scariest thing that's happened to me in almost thirty years of driving.As everyone else advises don't drive the car till it's fixed.

 

i had the front bearing let go on a maxi.....yes i am that old.....all i could see before the side dropped and ground into the floor was the wheel complete with driveshaft slowly exiting the drivers front side i know it was the wheel bearing as it was a common failure on them apparently, , repairs to brakes, hub , driveshaft, wing and a new set of undies. didnt even know it was going, no noise or anything

 

Had that happen to my maxi in 1982 o/s/f wheel came off had to keep pumping the brakes as it was knocking the brake pads back.
Had a car full of girls at the time

 

At the moment you have a cheapish repair. Leave it, and if you are lucky it will be an expensive repair. If you are unlucky people could be hurt.

 

not trying to scaremonger you....but think how many times have you seen somebodys car with a bald tyre, expired tax disc, smoking exhaust or engine, you want to report them to the police for a dangerous car....these are the things that can be seen yet still the owners of those cars drive them, even something as simple as a power steering fuse going can cause an accident, if you feel it is ok , so be it , it is your car and we can only advise you not to drive it....
i think it was one of the italy lot that had a wheel hub unit to change over there and they had only just had an MOT done on it , directly before, it may last a thousand miles....it may last 1
hopefully you can either borrow or hire a car for your new year celebrations
all the best
paul D

 

But Paul you tell me I need new tyres every time you come round our house :lol:


I wouldn't drive it far , it can damage the hub so then it just costs more money

 

Depends how noisey it is. At least its telling you It needs changing. As said above some can fail with no warning, others can rumble on for miles and miles. Best do it soon.

OBTW I had an Austin 1800. Yes I am that old too.

 

So we're not going to Skipton now on this sound advice...


I'd no idea it could be that serious if it went completely. Not sure if it was psychological because i knew something was up but it felt 'wallowy' every now and again from the back.

Thanks for the replies.

Happy new year

 

I had a rear wheel bearing seize up on me years ago on a VW polo.without warning it sent the car Into a spin.