Can You Still Drive with a Damaged Rear Wheel Bearing?
2 Answers
You cannot drive with a damaged rear wheel bearing. It is used for outer ring rotation, equivalent to a double-row angular contact ball bearing, mainly bearing rotational loads. A damaged rear wheel bearing can mildly affect comfort, increase tire noise, and cause vehicle deviation, or severely damage the suspension and render the steering system ineffective. Causes of rear wheel bearing damage: 1. Breakage, rust, foreign object entry, or roller misalignment; 2. Reduced distance between rollers and raceways, causing friction, overheating, and bearing seizure; 3. Poor lubrication. Symptoms of a damaged rear wheel bearing: 1. Wheel wobbling and increased vehicle vibration while driving; 2. Impaired wheel rolling, reduced power; 3. Abnormal noises.
Oh no, a broken rear wheel bearing really means you can't keep driving. It's the heart that keeps the wheel turning smoothly. When it fails, the car will make rattling noises, the wheel may become unstable and wobble severely, and in serious cases, the wheel could even come off, leading to a major accident! I've seen a friend ignore this, and suddenly lost control on the highway, nearly rolling over—thankfully no one was hurt. Safety comes first now. If you find the bearing is broken, stop immediately and get it checked and replaced at a repair shop. Turning a small issue into a major accident isn't worth it, especially since driving involves lives—don't gamble with yours. It's best not to tough it out and drive back; if you can get a tow, do it. Spend a little money for peace of mind. During regular maintenance, pay attention to any unusual sounds from the chassis and get them checked early—prevention is always better than regret later.
