I'm getting a mid-toned 'whirring/buzzing' noise from (I think) the rear end.  Most noticeable from 30mph to 50mph.  No change on smooth roads so definitely not road noise.  Most noticeable when deccelerating.  Sounds like the wheels of an army land rover if you've ever heard that.  All tyres are newish (about 2000 miles-in).

Bearings shot/on the way out?

Definately not a grinding noise.  Ever so slightly louder when cornering hard right.

Does the frequency change at all depending on your speed or just the volume?

Hmm. I'd not considered that.  Pretty sure the frequency changes only slightly but volume does fluctuate more (but doesn't have much of a big range, to be fair).

{Edit: Yeah, frequency is fairly constant]

Ignore it. Save your cash. Wait for the next MOT and see if they pick anything up, it could really be nothing, or nothing worth bothering with.

Ok, fairynuff.  Just don't want to be grinding metal on the motorway some day!  MOT is in a week's time - would they listen for stuff like that, given they only really check brakes n' sh*t?

given that they don't road-test MOT's anymore, unless it's symptomatic of something they actually test for (ie it's coming from the brakes or something, which it doesn't sound like it is), it should sail through.

My first car went for 4 or 5 years with very loud rumbling drive bearings, never a word was said at the MOT because they don't check it.

MOT's generally only care if it's safety or environment related.

Quote from: Eagle on May 13, 2011, 23:27:37 PM
Ok, fairynuff.  Just don't want to be grinding metal on the motorway some day!  MOT is in a week's time - would they listen for stuff like that, given they only really check brakes n' sh*t?

Yes, they should check. (Edit: I thought they at least whacked it on rollers, if not Road Testing anymore).

It will take time to get worse anyway.

Quote from: Bacon on May 13, 2011, 23:38:08 PM

Quote from: Eagle on May 13, 2011, 23:27:37 PM
Ok, fairynuff.  Just don't want to be grinding metal on the motorway some day!  MOT is in a week's time - would they listen for stuff like that, given they only really check brakes n' sh*t?

Yes, they should check. (Edit: I thought they at least whacked it on rollers, if not Road Testing anymore).

It will take time to get worse anyway.

I don't think so, I could be wrong though of course

It's gotten slightly louder over the course of the last month or so.  Had noticed it before but shrugged it off.

Thought it was blowing exhaust at first but noise (freq/pitch) doesn't really change with acceleration.

Oh well, if it ain't broke; don't fix.  I'll keep £500 stashed away for the inevitable though...

likely a wheel bearing.

The mentality of leaving everything be until MOT is one that I would not share. I would tend to fix anything as soon as it appears. It's far safer to do so.

For example, a balljoint could be just good enough to pass an MOT (Or non existent to pass one on the mainland!) - within months it could fail completely and you end up with the potential for an extremely nasty accident.

Quote from: Eagle on May 13, 2011, 23:57:44 PM
It's gotten slightly louder over the course of the last month or so.  Had noticed it before but shrugged it off.

Thought it was blowing exhaust at first but noise (freq/pitch) doesn't really change with acceleration.

Oh well, if it ain't broke; don't fix.  I'll keep £500 stashed away for the inevitable though...

£500? You can get an old shape Megane for that, which is what i gather your driving

So if it's bearings, what should I be paying for supply and fit?

I'm going to say the bearing should cost i dont know £20+ garage prices, probably more like £30 but you can get them for about £10-15 from a motor factors/Ebay, the fitting i think its an hours labour, Mark can confirm or when my old man is in i'll ask him.

The garage may charge more depending on which garage you goto, generally i use the out of town ones cus they are cheaper or you could try a good mobile mechanic cus they have less overheads and they will come to you whether at home or at work. I pay £25/Hour out of town, most in town ones will charge £50/hour+.