166 front wheel noise

i suffer from excessive noise from the front wheels. Have taken to several garages with both saying tyre noise but the noise is a grumble that increases pitch with speed to a wine which is getting worse. i thought it was from wheel bearings but both have been changed.I have had after market wheels and tyres fitted but noise still there. could it be gear box bearings

have the belts been done? what miles are you on?

hi and welcome btw

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Try posting your questuion in the 166 tech lounge

Hi

moved to 166 lounge

I would have said wheel bearings but you are discounting. Is it possible for you to lift the wheels and power it up as usual, but obviously at a standstill, to see if noise is away when no pressure on wheels?

Best to do in a workshop environment on a purpose built lift although possible with a jack and axle stands - See what speed you can get her upto

Don't want to worry you, but as you describe the noise it was very reminiscent of the noise I was hearing on my recently departed sportronic. This was just prior to the differential bearings collapsing. I hope it's not the same fault for you.

Normally if it's wheel bearings the noise changes when cornering. If noise gets worse when turning right then LH wheel bearing is the culprit - vice versa for RH turn.
Is the noise still there when coasting in neutral?

Also consider intermediate driveshaft bearing. This is mounted at the RH side of the engine. The frequency of this would change with road speed and would change only slightly with cornering due to drive shaft speed changing.
try swapping tyres front to rear and see if the noises change.