Wheel Bearing Noise

A rumbling or cyclic noise of any kind is heard with bearings having a problem in their functioning. Even if the driver senses slight problem in the vehicle, he should immediately go for a wheel bearing noise diagnosis. If the problem is not addressed in a timely manner, there can be a possibility of dangerous consequences.

Identifying Wheel Bearing Noise

The common trick of identifying a wheel bearing problem is to see whether the noise remains same while accelerating or decelerating. You can also drive in circles both clockwise and anti-clockwise to find which of the wheels (left/right) emits sound of a damaged bearing. The noise originating from wheel bearing doesn't change with changing speeds; it however, rises or lowers while turning. One can therefore, say that a noise heard at regular intervals while driving at a steady speeds is a sign of bearing problem. Wheel bearing noise should not be confused with the noise produced by a damaged CV joint; it is a completely different problem and should be dealt with separately. The noise produced by bearings is due to lack of lubrication or because of damage. Friction generated in dry areas of the bearing thus, results in a humming sound which repeats itself at regular intervals. The sound can also be called bad wheel bearing noise.

It is necessary to have a mechanism to lift the car for spinning the tires in order to diagnose the problem of wheel bearing noise. While spinning the wheel, one should place his other hand on the strut assembly. If there is any problem in the wheel bearing, one can hear a noise. Lifting the vehicle is necessary to determine the side from which noise originates. Activity of wiggling the tire back and forth also helps in checking whether the tire is loose. The article on bad wheel bearing symptoms helps us get into the details of this problem.

Front Wheel Bearing Noise

The front wheel should be checked for noise and lubrication. Servicing of the front wheel bearing should be carried out every 30,000 miles. While one is driving, he should try to listen properly as to where the noise is coming from. The noise coming from floorboard indicates that the problem is not present in the wheel bearing however, in other parts of the car. Sound coming from the windows gives a better idea about the correct problem.

Rear Wheel Bearing Noise

The noise produced by both the rear and front wheel bearings is the same. Therefore, no difference is present in the sounds produced by the rear and front wheels. A method of diagnosing rear wheel bearing noise, apart from the above mentioned one, is that of driving the vehicle at a constant speed, (slight variations in the speed should be made occasionally). The variations are required because some cars make noise only at certain speeds. Here, the point is that wheel bearing noise danger shouldn't go undetected, and it must be dealt with or repaired as soon as possible.

During the diagnosis of the wheel bearing problem, one should check whether there are any cracks on the bearing surface. Even small cracks may lead to bigger problems. To detect minute cracks, one has to check the bearing in bright light. Cracked, pitted or worn out bearings need to be replaced. Parts such as the bearing hub bore and spindles should also be checked for any damage. During inspection, one should check if there is any damage caused to the bearing hub bore; its fitting should also be checked. The bearing hub bore, if it doesn't fit properly, calls for replacement of car parts viz., the drum, rotor or hub. It should be checked whether spindles are aligned properly. They may not be in a straight line; proper diagnosis of the problem is therefore, necessary. The steering knuckle should be replaced if any problem is found in the spindles. Here is some useful information on wheel bearing replacement cost.

The problems regarding wheel bearing noise are discussed in short in the article above. One should conduct careful diagnosis of the worn out and other parts of the vehicle in order to determine the exact cause. In some cases, it may not be possible to find out the problem on our own. In such instances, consulting a mechanic would be appropriate.