Nissan Primera III - Can a wheel bearing only make a noise under braking?

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Sun 21 Feb 2010 16:12
Nissan Primera III - Can a wheel bearing only make a noise under braking? - primeradriver
First, some background.

My Primera (2000/X, 260,000 miles) has had, in the last 20,000 miles on the front near-side corner:

1 CV joint replacement due to ABS ring wear-out;
1 wheel bearing;
1 lower wishbone and drop-link from where I kerbed the car in inclement weather;
New brake discs and pads, and tyre.

Between the bearing replacement, and the wishbone etc the car started to make a clonking noise under braking. I've posted about this issue before.

It's worst at low speed, and at very low speed becomes a groaning, almost like a low-pitched door creak. Recently it has become worse, and you can *feel* the knock at low speeds. But it only happens under braking.

The brakes have been overhauled, and cleaned up -- twice. Once by the garage and once by me. Neither I, nor the garage can see anything wrong with the calipers, discs or pads.

I am going to get this looked at by another third party shortly, but I'd really like to get a better idea of what's going on here.

The suspension parts seem fine, and some were replaced with no difference. Other than the caliper, I can't see what could be wrong with the brakes. Can't see it being anything to do with the CV joint, the wheel/tyre (tyre replaced and rotated since) or the steering.

It could I guess be that bearing -- but can this manifest itself as an issue only under braking? It's as quiet as a mouse up until the car has travelled for around 10-20 miles -- i.e. when warmed up. I've also noticed a thrum at about 70, but not the usual bearing noise.

I'd hate to have to get rid of the car over one annoying issue, after the service it has given me!!

Any help greatly appreciated.
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Sun 21 Feb 2010 22:28
Nissan Primera III - Can a wheel bearing only make a noise under braking? - Peter.N.
Any 'groaning' or 'whining' noises at road speed are almost always caused by bearings, for the 'clonk' on breaking though, check the tightness of the subframe bolts.
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