How to Determine if a Wheel Bearing is Bad?

[MacElliana]

The methods to determine if a wheel bearing is bad are: 1. After driving, the car will emit a buzzing sound, and loud noise indicates bearing damage; 2. Place your left hand on the shock absorber spring, rotate the tire with your right hand, and feel the vibration with your left hand. If the spring vibrates significantly, it indicates bearing damage and the need for replacement. A damaged bearing will increase friction, and a vehicle that has just been driven will generate high heat. At this time, touching it with your hand will feel hot. Method to determine which side (left or right) the bearing is damaged: If the abnormal noise is caused by the bearing, steer left and right while driving. If the noise disappears when steering left and appears when steering right, it indicates a problem with the left front bearing. The same logic applies to the right side.

[MasonRose]

Last time I was on the highway, I encountered a bearing issue. Suddenly there was a humming noise in the car—the faster I drove, the louder it got, with a slight metallic grinding sound. The noise changed when turning the steering wheel. After getting out, I touched the wheel hub and it was scalding hot, while the other side was just warm. Squatting down, I noticed the tire looked slightly tilted. If you're unsure, find a flat surface to lift the car and spin the wheel by hand to listen for any gritty noise. Remember, if the bearing is damaged, don't push it—a locked-up wheel is terrifying.

[AndrewMarie]

A friend who owns an auto repair shop told me that when a wheel bearing is about to fail, the steering wheel will vibrate noticeably, especially at speeds above 60 mph—it shakes like a phone on vibrate. Last week, I helped him disassemble a car where the wheel hub had so much play when wobbled up, down, left, and right that you could slide a piece of paper through the gap. The most accurate method is using a stethoscope pressed against the suspension to listen, which is much clearer than directly hearing tire noise. Mechanics also typically check if the bearing hub is deformed, as a failure here can cause the entire wheel to misalign.

[BentleyAnn]

If you suddenly feel the whole car drifting on the road and the ABS warning light pops up on the dashboard, pull over immediately! My neighbor once had a wheel bearing shatter on the highway, and the tire directly scraped against the curb. It's recommended to pay more attention to the wheels when washing the car. If you notice fresh grease stains or metal powder, it's likely that the bearing seal is leaking. Nowadays, many cars have sealed bearing assemblies, and if they fail, the entire set must be replaced—don't try to save money on this.

[PhoebeAnn]

Checking it yourself isn't actually difficult: First, drive in a figure-eight pattern. If the abnormal noise increases when turning left, it might be an issue with the right wheel bearing. Once home, use a jack to lift the car, spin the tire by hand to feel for any jerking sensation, and shake the wheel to check for looseness. If possible, borrow an infrared thermometer. After driving about five kilometers, measure the temperature of all four wheel hubs. Be cautious if the temperature difference exceeds 20 degrees. However, disassembly and reassembly require professional equipment—you won't be able to handle the hydraulic press for bearing installation on your own.