Bearings, tyres... Where's the noise coming from?

[alexaescht]

I was in the Polo today on the freeway (as a passenger) and there was this constant noise coming from the back that, to me, sounded like shot bearings. Surely this wouldn't be the case, seeming the car's only done 62,000 kms.
So, could it be tyres? The rear ones are a bit old, but they still have plenty of tread on them and the fronts are basically new.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Alex.

[Umai Naa!!]

Run your hand over the inside edge of the tread on the rear. If it feels all lumpy and wavy, and nothing like the outside edge, it'll be the tyres.

[alexaescht]

Ok thanks.
With all the potholes on our dirt road I wouldn't be surprised if it was the tyres.

[Diesel_vert]

I suppose you could swap the rear tyres with the fronts and observe any changes that occur.

[alexaescht]

Yeah that's not a bad idea either Diesel_vert.

[nomadx38]

If it sounds like a "plop plop plop" which sounds quite feint i would be looking at the air vents (the rubber flaps just behind the spare wheel) which are for some reason really loud on mine and flap about from the wind turbulence from speeds 60 and over.

You can only hear them with the radio off or very low so if your noise is very loud i would say its not this...

[MarcusAurelius]

I was in the Polo today on the freeway (as a passenger) and there was this constant noise coming from the back that, to me, sounded like shot bearings. Surely this wouldn't be the case, seeming the car's only done 62,000 kms.
So, could it be tyres? The rear ones are a bit old, but they still have plenty of tread on them and the fronts are basically new.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Alex.

mind you bud, i did the front right wheel bearing at about 20,000.. no joke

[alexaescht]

If it sounds like a "plop plop plop" which sounds quite feint i would be looking at the air vents (the rubber flaps just behind the spare wheel) which are for some reason really loud on mine and flap about from the wind turbulence from speeds 60 and over.

You can only hear them with the radio off or very low so if your noise is very loud i would say its not this...

Thanks, but the noise is like a drone that's fairly loud so I don't think it's that.

[alexaescht]

mind you bud, i did the front right wheel bearing at about 20,000.. no joke

Ouch. Was it a warranty job or did they make you cough up the cash?

[MarcusAurelius]

I figured the big wheels, low profile tires and suspension didnt help so I didnt say a thing to them. I did it myself and set me back 150 $