Liam701

I've noticed a slight rumble from the rear of my car that is most audible about 50mph. I've swapped rear wheels with someone else to see if it was tyre noise, but it wasn't that. Before I go about replacing both rear wheel bearings, has anyone had the bearings in the diff go? It's definitely coming from the rear.

S2000_sam

What age/mileage is your car? I've have a whin from the back of the car too. Inclined to think it's the diff, as it's not an uncommon issue.

Liam701

Its done 88k miles so not low mileage and is a 2009 car. Its more of a rumbling noise than whine. I'll drop the diff fluid over the weekend and see if its clean or not. I was just after some knowledge really on if the bearings in the diff are prone to going. I'll probably replace the diff oil then the two rear wheel bearings, after all.....its only another job I'll end up doing anyway at some point! ha!

Nottm_S2

As you're driving along if you dip the clutch does the noise change at all? The diff wont be under load at that point

i had a bearing go and it was more like rubbing a wine glass around the top and noise increased with speed

the rear calipers are very prone to sticking

Liam701

No the rumbling noise is still there. It's not the input shaft bearings on the box either. I think its a wheel bearing. I'll get to work on the diff oil this week for a start and go from there.

Do you mean your wheel bearing went on yours or a diff bearing?

Nottm_S2

The diff went on my SC car and i've had a wheel bearing fail on my other S

the wheel bearing sounded like the wine glass thing

do you rear wheels spin free?

My diff had very little debris on the plug but it doesnt even turn freely so its proper fooked

Winstan

When you say you have noticed a slight rumble, is it like a vibration through the whole of the rear of the car? More apparent under heavy acceleration or higher speeds?
If So.
I wouldn't rule out the possibility of pitting in the CV cups, on the CV joints nearest the diff. Is the car on coil overs / been lowered?

If you haven't done so already since owning the car, change the diff oil, its a worth while job and a good place to start !

E4RTH WORM JIM

Drive it until the component fails then you’ll know, or at least until it gets worse.

Always worked for me.

Liam701

Changed the oil and it was clean with no debris. Its not that bad but annoyingly I notice EVERYTHING! It is worse if I load the osr by doing a sharp left turn. So I think its the osr wheel bearing. Its certainly not bad enough yet to warranty replacing it. Yes the wheels spin freely, I'm pretty sure its a wheel bearing. Car is standard too. Thanks for the input anyway chaps!