What are the symptoms of a bad wheel bearing?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a bad wheel bearing are: 1. Abnormal noises while driving; 2. Body vibration during driving; 3. Unstable driving at high speeds. The main functions of the wheel bearing are: 1. Supporting weight and providing precise guidance for the rotation of the wheel hub; 2. Bearing axial and radial loads. Methods to determine if the wheel bearing is bad include: 1. Opening the window to listen if the noise comes from outside the vehicle; 2. Increasing the speed and then shifting to neutral to let the vehicle coast, observing the noise; 3. Temporarily stopping the vehicle and checking if the axle temperature is normal; 4. Lifting the vehicle with a lift and manually rotating each of the four wheels quickly.
I recently experienced a situation where my wheel bearing failed. At first, there was just a slight humming noise while driving, especially noticeable when turning, and I thought it was a tire issue so I didn’t pay much attention. But gradually, the noise became louder, sounding like an airplane engine at high speeds, and the steering wheel started shaking violently. Later, when I took it to the repair shop, the mechanic said a bad bearing could cause unstable wheel rotation and, in severe cases, even lead to accidents if the wheel comes loose. The most typical symptoms include abnormal noises and vibrations, such as increased noise when turning and noticeable shaking of the car body. If you notice these signs, you must get it fixed immediately—bearing wear or water ingress can cause this, and safety should never be taken lightly.
