Bearings, tyres... Where's the noise coming from?

[alexaescht]

I was in the Polo today on the freeway (as a passenger) and there was this constant noise coming from the back that, to me, sounded like shot bearings. Surely this wouldn't be the case, seeming the car's only done 62,000 kms.
So, could it be tyres? The rear ones are a bit old, but they still have plenty of tread on them and the fronts are basically new.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Alex.

[Umai Naa!!]

Run your hand over the inside edge of the tread on the rear. If it feels all lumpy and wavy, and nothing like the outside edge, it'll be the tyres.

[alexaescht]

Bearings, tyres... Where's the noise coming from?

Ok thanks.
With all the potholes on our dirt road I wouldn't be surprised if it was the tyres.

[Diesel_vert]

I suppose you could swap the rear tyres with the fronts and observe any changes that occur.

[alexaescht]

Bearings, tyres... Where's the noise coming from?

Yeah that's not a bad idea either Diesel_vert.

[nomadx38]

If it sounds like a "plop plop plop" which sounds quite feint i would be looking at the air vents (the rubber flaps just behind the spare wheel) which are for some reason really loud on mine and flap about from the wind turbulence from speeds 60 and over.

You can only hear them with the radio off or very low so if your noise is very loud i would say its not this...

[MarcusAurelius]

I was in the Polo today on the freeway (as a passenger) and there was this constant noise coming from the back that, to me, sounded like shot bearings. Surely this wouldn't be the case, seeming the car's only done 62,000 kms.
So, could it be tyres? The rear ones are a bit old, but they still have plenty of tread on them and the fronts are basically new.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Alex.

mind you bud, i did the front right wheel bearing at about 20,000.. no joke

[alexaescht]

Bearings, tyres... Where's the noise coming from?

If it sounds like a "plop plop plop" which sounds quite feint i would be looking at the air vents (the rubber flaps just behind the spare wheel) which are for some reason really loud on mine and flap about from the wind turbulence from speeds 60 and over.

You can only hear them with the radio off or very low so if your noise is very loud i would say its not this...

Thanks, but the noise is like a drone that's fairly loud so I don't think it's that.

[alexaescht]

Bearings, tyres... Where's the noise coming from?

mind you bud, i did the front right wheel bearing at about 20,000.. no joke

Ouch. Was it a warranty job or did they make you cough up the cash?

[MarcusAurelius]

I figured the big wheels, low profile tires and suspension didnt help so I didnt say a thing to them. I did it myself and set me back 150 $

[alexaescht]

Bearings, tyres... Where's the noise coming from?

I figured the big wheels, low profile tires and suspension didnt help so I didnt say a thing to them. I did it myself and set me back 150 $

Ohhh right ok. $150 doesn't sound too bad but who knows how much the stealer will inflate that haha

[pontiff]

Before I bought my car, it sat for a few months I think... did all 4 wheel bearings with 18k on the clock :O. VW covered them though no problem.

If you really struggle to find it, you can put on my boavistas to test with, you will soon know, but being 17's they will be noiser, its just around are they noisiER than the ones you have

[Nivlac]

i have that currently on my car, its the back tyres that are feathering they said it was from the twisty s and wheel alignment.

the two different shops said for me i cannot swap them to the front as it will probable make a steering shudder.

[brad]

Better to swap (& change direction of rotation) earlier rather than later.

Was it new bitumen? My car absolutely howls on new tar.

[alexaescht]

Bearings, tyres... Where's the noise coming from?

Before I bought my car, it sat for a few months I think... did all 4 wheel bearings with 18k on the clock :O. VW covered them though no problem.

If you really struggle to find it, you can put on my boavistas to test with, you will soon know, but being 17's they will be noiser, its just around are they noisiER than the ones you have

Yeah well I'll just add it onto the list of things to be fixed before next service:

1. Bearings
2. Vacuum hoses
3. Boot light
4. Rear brakes
5. Climatronic fault

Thanks for the offer