Alex@rtnVFRmedia Suffolk UKHad this aircraft noise for some months in #GolfGTI (had thought at first "maybe its supposed to sound like that because its fast?") but it was a goosed #WheelBearing
Garage next door to my work booked up until December, fixed it in yard outside today - 6 hours (even with #Makita #impactwrench to remove axle bolts) - had to fight cursed #XZN spline bolts in awkward position (should have raised axle stands about 30-50mm higher!) to remove old set and retorque new ones to 70 Nm + 90° (not fun!).
All other bolts such as caliper bolt, control arm to ball joint and even big axle bolt and axle itself didn't give me any drama, just these 3 (mechanic lent me the one long ratchet I didn't have). Got 200Nm + 180° on axle bolt with beast of a breaker bar
Took every bit of strength in my body, went on test drive just now and there is 0 noise (thought both corners were goosed but front left seems OK for now)
Replacement bearing is #SKF VKBA7011 (easiest to get at a reasonable price, Schaeffler can be unobtanium here or double price, probably due to #Brexit) - hoping front left is OK for few more months (so if I have to do this again its in better weather and longer days), at least I know what's involved now - am also getting 400-600mm telescopic ratchet which should make work on axle stands easier (there was a "rent-a-ramp" place in the next town along - alas; it closed recently)
I didn't take any photos of the actual job as I wanted to get it all done during available light but this is the noise the bad bearing makes (rattles as well)
Curiously it had 0 makers markings/ID on it, maybe replaced before with cheap aftermarket part?
Turning, #Japanese : the old #bearing was from #NSK #Japan - so it would have been a fairly decent brand (its a VW OEM supplier) but /something/ knackered it (maybe a pothole?) - and as its not VW marked it would have been already replaced once - I don't think the lads at the dealer in #London would have had much opportunity to hoon the car before it was sold even if they wanted to, they are in #Barnet / #Enfield which is full of low speed limits as well as cameras).
The magnet ring was still intact, so I used some liquid crystal sheet to show the #magnetic fields (these #magnets are what makes the #ABS sensor work)
Note to self: remove bearing from the meeting table in the office *before* leaving tonight so its not still there on Monday 😁
