Wheel Bearings

nickbain · 09-12-2007, 10:27 PM

How do you tell if a wheel bearing is bad? I have a noise when I'm driving my car that I first thought was a wheel bearing. It sounds like my truck rollin down the highway with the Mud Terrians...kinda loud. I took it into the shop and jacked it up but there was no play in any of the wheels. There are no warning lights on (I don't have trac controll so that one wouldn't come on) so I thought it might just be the tires. ( the original BFGs) but the sound stays constant with the speed even over different terrians like gravel to pavement, tar/chip to asphalt...it doesn't change which leads me back to thinking its wheel bearings. Is there any other way of checking them other than replacing them all and hoping that was the problem?

Oldsnut · 09-12-2007, 10:35 PM

Very high probability that it is a bearing, that is the first thing I have always heard.

nickbain · 09-12-2007, 10:57 PM

thought so but I don't know which one.

Steven01 · 09-12-2007, 11:04 PM

Most deffinitly wheels barring im guessing i had same problem.

nickbain · 09-12-2007, 11:11 PM

ya but how do I diagnose which one? Like I said, I jacked it up and found no play in any of the wheels and not one of them had a "grinding" sound when I spun them by hand, and there are no lights on in the dash. Is there another way or do I just have to wait untill it gets worse(which I don't really want to do).

On a side note, are the ones from e-bay any good? I'm kinda leary about the quality of anything coming off of e-bay.

rev · 09-12-2007, 11:16 PM

does the noise get louder when you turn one way, but not as loud when you turn the opposite? if i were you, i would just replace them both if you have the money. atleast thats what i did

StoopidAlero · 09-13-2007, 12:01 AM

hey.. this is what you will need to do..

Jack your car up and put some jack stands under it... have a buddy help you out by LIGHTLY pressing the gas. Get up by each wheel and you will be able to hear which side needs to be replaced. I just had this happen to me this summer. Go thru autozone or advanced auto parts. You will need a front hub bearing. And make sure you get the one with ABS. They run about 110 for the cheap one. The "top dollar" hub bearing will run you about 160 and they both come out of china. Same 1 year warranty also. You will definately need some air tools, patience, and time. You can do it yourself. Shops will charge you around 300 a side. I can help walk you thru it if needed. Hope this helps. Brandon

Kilroy · 09-13-2007, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StoopidAlero

hey.. this is what you will need to do..

Jack your car up and put some jack stands under it... have a buddy help you out by LIGHTLY pressing the gas. Get up by each wheel and you will be able to hear which side needs to be replaced. I just had this happen to me this summer. Go thru autozone or advanced auto parts. You will need a front hub bearing. And make sure you get the one with ABS. They run about 110 for the cheap one. The "top dollar" hub bearing will run you about 160 and they both come out of china. Same 1 year warranty also. You will definately need some air tools, patience, and time. You can do it yourself. Shops will charge you around 300 a side. I can help walk you thru it if needed. Hope this helps. Brandon

Wouldn't wiggling the tire back and forth show up a weak bearing??