Exhaust - bearings or what ?

[chevin]

Been contributing to this forum for last couple of years and here's my first query !

Have a 1.6 petrol/maual/ 5 door/Nov 2003 (!) - FRSH (really/62 k miles). Have gone through the dephaser/disc (f & r)/windows and hopeless dealerships in NW england.

Got to Dec (19) 2009 before I needed a new exhaust - have spent £ 5 on plastic padding to get round last 2 MoT's. Exhaust started to growl mid Dec in this snowy weather, despite hoping on a series II meggy it was only the back box ( £ 55) - series II only have mid and rear repalcements (£ 160). Removing the old exhaust showed the back box welded seems had all gone.

New exhaust on and.......its still growling.. been for a check at fitting centre - not surprisingly all is OK. It only seems to growl on overruns - although this pm's check its seems to have gone away ?

Had rear discs done at 55 k miles which inlcudes rear bearings too - dunno what else it can be. Lets hopt it does n't come back.

[megane09]

hi, in a new exhaust it will sound 'tinny' at first as its brand new and is stillbedding in, give it time it will go quieter... hope this helps.. regards . mattie

[chevin]

Mattie - thanks for reply. think I'd jumped to conclusion before Christmas - niosy car - 6 year old exhaust etc.

Had car on jack this am (Suday) and spun all wheels - the rear passenger is at fault - grinding when spun. But as I've had new disc and pads all round Spring 2009, the rear discs come with new bearing - looks like they've gone after 10,000 miles.

Does any one know if you can replace the rear bearings without the discs ? If not a new set of rear discs and pads fitted cost me £ 220

[davelowe]

According to Haynes, 'new rear discs supplied by Renault come with new wheel bearings pre-fitted, but wheel bearing kits are also available'. So it would seem that you can obtain the bearing separately. I would imagine an independent garage should be able to do the job fairly cheaply. It involves removing the disc, taking the old bearing out, and then re-assembly. Just make sure they are aware not to damage the magnetic ring on the disc.

[direstraits]

Can be done, you just need to press the bearing into the disc. Special tools might be needed. No DIY job.