Bad wheel bearing? help:)

Helllo, I'm new to this place but always visit. I want to get this video out to the community to see if anyone can diagnose it before I bring it into my mechanic, I strongly think it is a wheel bearing I heard a miled screetch when manually spinning the wheel. Please download and look it over maybe someone has heard this noise before, thanks for the time fellow e39'rs link below (2001 540i 8cyl)

http://speedy.sh/7BPUP/IMG-0128.MOV

bump

Downloaded your file, but the sound is very, very low on my work computer - I can hear almost nothing.
Maybe you can describe what you experience?

If you turn your audio max its very clear, the noise starts around 30-45km and stops around 20km/h, if I accelerate to around 60-70 it sometimes would stop, but please do try to turn the audio up I hear it loud and clear on my laptop.

Can anyone relate or give me advice, the video is a 30 second download

-Lawson

I placed the vid on another computer with good sound. This time I could hear a faint "whistle / screech". Still, the sound is not very conclusive. I can hear the engine running very nice.

I would do the "easy" stuff first: it could be a pebble lodged behind the brake shield - you will need to raise that wheel and visually inspect, or maybe try to back-up and apply the brakes a few times.
In straight line, a wheel bearing makes noise if it's in really bad shape. You should be able to hear a different sound (like more evident) when taking a turn towards the offending wheel. If the noise is bigger, it's definetly the wheel bearing.
I have a set of brand new front & rear bearing (in case) sourced from Rock Auto at a good price. They ship to Canada. Make sure you get good quality bearings if it turns out it's indeed them (Timken). the dealer will charge you an arm & leg. But first make sure it's not a pebble lodged in there. I had a similar sound a few winters back and it was a pesky stone from the city guys that spray the stuff on the icy roads.

I ordered them from Rockauto already going to replace them as soon as they come in crossing my fingers $300 was my total to Winnipeg, do you recommend diy or mechanic route to replace them, I have tools and am inclined, can much go wrong in the process? My brakes are loud while in reverse now that you mention it but not at all in gear, I will inspect the brake tonight did you simply air blow yours out, was it in a crease somewhere the pebble?

Its winterpeg here as you can see

Can you hear it while you're driving? Find a quiet street where you can drive and put the car's weight on different portions of the car, do this by driving at around 20 miles per hour but pretend you're on a slalom course, turn the steering wheel back and forth, zig zagging down the street, if you can hear the noise changing when leaning in and out of the turns (listen carefully), it's a wheel bearing issue.

Originally Posted by wpg.Lawson

I ordered them from Rockauto already going to replace them as soon as they come in crossing my fingers $300 was my total to Winnipeg, do you recommend diy or mechanic route to replace them, I have tools and am inclined, can much go wrong in the process? My brakes are loud while in reverse now that you mention it but not at all in gear, I will inspect the brake tonight did you simply air blow yours out, was it in a crease somewhere the pebble?

The pebble I had fell off after I reversed it a couple of times. A DIY for the wheel bearings (Zeckhausen) and another one from CN90. Also, I forgot to mention: last year - end of spring I had some front wheel screech/whistle. And some shimmy between 100-120 Km/Hr. turned out the brake calipers needed attention. The rubber boots were deformed, the pistons started to rust, and the guide pins were sticking. Maybe you can check that out too before jumping to do the bearings.

Thanks for the support I'll be sure to incorporate your suggestions into my repair, mind you I jacked it up and turned the wheel myself and heard quite a similar noise to the ones heard while driving I really hope my calliper is aok but we will have to see once my bearings come in babe also has 165,000 on her so bearings aren't a bad investment along with my brand new thrust, control arms and tie rod ends.

DIY: 1998 528i FRONT Bearing the Easy Way

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=564549

-------------

DIY: 1998 528i REAR Bearing the Easy Way!

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=566786