Rear wheel bearing - how long before it goes bang?

[sbloxxy]

I have a 2000 Boxster and over the last 1200 miles or so, the rear wheel bearing has been getting louder and louder. I'm hoping to get this done over the next week or so but meanwhile, I'm concerned about using the car at all. The bearing noise is pretty loud and while I coul dreally do with using the car, I don't want to find myself stuck on the side of the road with a collapsed bearing.
So, as the title says, how long dare I push it?

 

[Nick_USA]

Well, if you're posting on here about it you have probably answered your own question.

A 55 pound part and about 90 pounds labour.

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: Nick_USA

A 55 pound part and about 90 pounds labour.

And probably a lot more after it has gone bang.[&:] Don't expect anyone is likely to come along and say "Yeah, no problem, good for another 5000 miles etc etc.........."!!
And never mind about being stuck at the side of the road, you may be involved in an accident if it lets go at speed.
I would have changed it 1000 miles back. Good luck.

 

[sbloxxy]

Yes you're both right. I guess I wanted someone to tell me that its no problem and will last another 2000 miles, but back on Planet Earth, I know that's not going to happen.
I have just bought a new bearing so I'll get it changed over the next few days.
Its just Sod's Law that my wife's BMW has also chosen this weekend to pack up, hence my clutching at straws.

 

[MARK H.]

Just a thought before you change!........Have you checked the inside edges of your rear tyres?
I had a rear nearside wheel bearing type rumble a while ago and could have sworn the wheel bearing was on its way out!!
On checking the rear inside edges of rear tyres, they had "stepped" which was causing the rumble........new tyres....no rumble!
Just thought i'd say before you change the bearing and find you still have a rumble!!

 

[Mark Elder]

And make sure it's not just lose wheel nuts[8|]

 

[sbloxxy]

A quick follow up to my original post: I had an attempt at changing the bearing myself which turned into a bit of a saga. After fighting my way past the nut on the end of the driveshaft, I came up against a thoroughly seized anti-rollbar link/strut clamp bolt. No amount of heat/penetrating oil and big hammers would shift it. In the end, I realised that I have better things to do with my time and for the sake of my sanity and the Boxster's safety, I booked the car into my local garage. They also struggled like mad but got everything off. Then they discovered that the bearing I had supplied (and which I had been assured was correct for my car) was actually the wrong one. This meant a quick dash to my local OPC for the correct one (not much more expensive than a pattern part, by the way).
Anyway its all done now and relative peace and quiet has returned. Flippin' expensive though: £250 for labour (including fitting new handbrake shoes) and £70 for the bearing and £40 for handbrake shoes.
I daresay I've got the bearing replacement on the other side to look forward at some point.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Glad it's all fixed. []

One of my wheel bearings was replaced (under "goodwill" as I had the extended warranty at the time) several years ago. The other side hasn't had a problem yet.