Symptoms and Judgment Methods of Damaged Car Bearings
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When a car wheel bearing is damaged, the car will experience wheel wobbling, increased vehicle shaking, abnormal noises, and poor rolling, leading to a decrease in power. Here are the methods to determine if a car wheel bearing is damaged: 1. Listen for sounds: Observe whether the noise comes from the engine. If the noise does not change when coasting in neutral, it may indicate a problem with the wheel bearing. 2. Check the temperature: When the brake shoe and pad gaps are normal, there is a difference in temperature between the front and rear wheels, with the front wheels being slightly higher. 3. Inspect the wheels: Manually rotate each of the four wheels quickly; the problematic axle will produce a noise.
The most noticeable sign of a faulty car bearing is a humming noise while driving, especially loud when turning or accelerating, accompanied by persistent vehicle vibration and severe steering wheel shaking. Uneven tire wear on one side is also a symptom of bearing issues. The diagnostic method is simple: drive at higher speeds on a quiet highway to identify the noise source from a specific wheel; after parking, manually rotate that tire—if you feel resistance or hear clicking sounds, get it checked immediately. Delaying repairs may lead to axle failure, though replacing bearings isn't expensive. With 20 years of driving experience, I often perform this preliminary check myself; if uncertain, I visit a repair shop to lift the car and measure bearing play with professional tools.
