How to Determine if a Wheel Bearing is Bad?

[Diana]

Methods to determine if a wheel bearing is bad: A faulty wheel bearing will produce a humming noise, which intensifies as the vehicle speed increases. You can accelerate the car to a certain speed and then let it coast in neutral. If the humming noise persists unchanged, it can be concluded that there is an issue with the wheel bearing. Additionally, a bad wheel bearing generates significant heat. After driving for a while, you can touch the wheel to feel its temperature—if the hub is noticeably hotter than normal, this indicates a problem. To extend the lifespan of wheel bearings, regular maintenance is essential. This includes cleaning dirt from the bearings, checking their operation, and replacing the grease. Traditional bearings typically consist of ball bearings or two sets of tapered roller bearings. With advancements in automotive technology, wheel bearing units have been developed, integrating two sets of bearings into a single unit, which are now widely used in vehicles.