Jaguar Repair: Noise coming from rear end or back tires, wheel bearings, wheel bearing


Question
QUESTION: I have a noise  coming from the rear of my 1985 xj6 series 3 took off rear tire and could not see any thing help and thanks

ANSWER: Hi Isaac,
It is rare that anything would be visible on a rear noise. The best way is to put the car on a lift or jack up the back (and put it on stands) and have some one put it in drive and run it up to the speed that it makes the most noise on the road. Then try to more closely ID the noise. A wheel bearing is easy to ID by use of a mechanics stethoscope or just a long screw driver placed on the aluminum hub and your ear up tight against the handle of the screwdriver. (old mechanics trick) The noise will be excessive if it is a bearing.

The trouble is that you have wheel bearings and two "U" joints on each side not to mention the differential. So there is a lot that can make noise. As for what is the most likely, I found that I replaced many more wheel bearings than "U" joints but that don't rule out the
"U" joints. The differential is one of the more reliable parts on the car.
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It is very loud you can hear it out side and inside If you slow down it get a little worst the faster you drive the less noticeable. I removed the key to check wheel bearing but The nut would not move. I feel some movement or looseness when I try to remove wheel bearing nut is them normal. Is this the way to check bearings help and Thanks,

Answer
No, there is not suppose to be any movement in the axle nut. The bearings are set to a "Preload" and the process is done like a differential pinion bearing and you should not attempt to replace the bearing without a service manual to follow the procedure.

You still need to do as I told you to do to diagnosis a bad wheel bearing.
Howard