How to Determine if a Thrust Bearing is Faulty?
2 Answers
If issues such as increased tire noise and vehicle deviation occur during driving, it can generally be determined that the thrust bearing is damaged. Below are the relevant details: 1. The correct name for the thrust bearing should be 'pressure bearing,' which consists of two parts: the pressure top rubber and the pressure bearing. It is installed at the top of the front suspension and is a component connected to the vehicle body. The impact of a damaged pressure bearing cannot be overlooked. In minor cases, it affects comfort, increases tire noise, and causes vehicle deviation. In severe cases, it can lead to suspension damage, resulting in steering system failure and traffic accidents. 2. When turning the steering wheel while stationary or at low speeds, a 'squeaking' sound may be heard, and in severe cases, steering wheel vibration can be felt. 3. When driving on bumpy roads or over speed bumps, a 'thudding' sound may be heard. 4. Tire noise becomes noticeably louder during driving, and in severe cases, a 'humming' sound may occur. 5. Vehicle deviation can also be caused by a damaged pressure bearing.
As someone who commutes by car daily, I identified a faulty plain bearing through several subtle signs: when turning or slowly going over speed bumps, there's a creaking noise from the chassis, especially noticeable when the steering wheel is turned fully, as if something is rubbing. The steering wheel also doesn't turn smoothly, occasionally feeling heavy or vibrating slightly, particularly noticeable when starting or stopping. Ignoring these signs not only makes driving uncomfortable but over time reduces steering precision, making high-speed turns prone to loss of control, which is quite dangerous. So, as soon as I noticed the unusual sounds, I promptly took it to a professional repair shop to have the suspension system checked—better to address small issues before they become big ones. By the way, this problem is more common in urban driving conditions due to frequent turns accelerating wear.
