Sound of wheel bearing failurewhen braking

Furthermore, in most cases, you’ll hear a noisy wheel bearing regardless of whether you’re accelerating or decelerating. On the other hand, some drivetrain noises—but not all—will change upon acceleration or deceleration.

There are a lot of other problems that can mimic the sound of a bad wheel bearing. To be sure that one of your car’s wheel bearings is to blame, you’ll need to do some additional diagnostic work.

A bad wheel bearing is one possibility. If you hear a strange wheel bearing sound, you should check the parts as early as possible.

A wheel bearing is a crucial part of the wheel assembly that connects the wheel and the axle. It is a set of steel balls (ball bearings) or tapers (tapered bearings), held together by a metal ring. It enables the wheel to rotate smoothly with a minimum of friction. Wheel bearings are safety critical components designed to sustain radial and axial loads caused by gravitation, acceleration, breaking & cornering forces, so they need to be replaced when they stop working properly.

Frontwheel bearingnoise symptoms

When replacing your wheel bearings, it is essential to look for high quality parts. MOOG offers a complete range of easy to install, premium quality, long-lasting wheel end bearings that are engineered, manufactured, tested and validated to OEM standards for maximum performance and durability. Explore the full MOOG product range or Discover technical tips about wheel bearings.

In either case, the frequency of the bad wheel bearing sound will correspond to the rotation of the tires. The sound will also increase with vehicle speed (though it may go away at a certain point) and may get louder when turning in one direction or the other.

So, if you think you hear the rumble of a bad wheel bearing, be sure to get your vehicle repaired immediately. Your safety depends on it.

In some cases, yes. A 4-wheel ABS can increase your stopping distance if you’re driving on icy roads and other slippery surfaces. In most cases, however, it will activate and pump the brakes much faster than you could, immediately stopping the vehicle within a short stopping distance.

So, once again, if you think you’ve got a bad wheel bearing, get the problem fixed right away by either going to a mechanic, or by purchasing a replacement bearing and fixing it yourself.

Sound of wheel bearing failurewhen accelerating

As was mentioned above, if you ignore a bad wheel bearing, you could end up losing a wheel. That’s the worst-case scenario, but there are other undesirable consequences, as well. A bad wheel bearing can cause abnormal tire wear, a pulsation while driving—even problems with the ABS system.

To use your ABS, you’ll have to apply firm pressure to the brake pedal. Make sure you don’t pump the pedal and keep your foot firmly planted on the pedal. Then, steer your vehicle to a safe spot where you can park if necessary.

At the end of the day, it can be difficult to distinguish a bad wheel bearing from other problems. That’s why it’s important to perform further diagnostic work before jumping to conclusions. Otherwise, you may end up replacing a wheel bearing only to find the problem was something else.

Badwheel bearingsymptoms

You can determine which wheel bearing needs replacement by testing each wheel with the following method. Raise your vehicle with a jack stand until it’s high enough for the tires to spin. Grab the tire you want to test by its 6 and 12 o’clock positions. Spin the wheel and check for any wiggling. Listen for wheel bearing noise as well.

You’ll also want to keep in mind that not all bad wheel bearings make noise. Some worn-out bearings will exhibit excessive lateral movement, without making any abnormal sounds.

Wheel bearings are low maintenance parts, but that doesn’t mean they last forever. So, what does a wheel bearing actually do? How long does it last? And how can you help extend its lifespan?

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Wheel bearingreplacement cost

Mia Bevacqua has over 14 years of experience in the auto industry and holds a bachelor’s degree in Advanced Automotive Systems. Certifications include ASE Master Automobile Technician, Master Medium/Heavy Truck Technician, L1, L2, L3, and L4 Advanced Level Specialist. Mia loves fixer-upper oddballs, like her 1987 Cavalier Z-24 and 1998 Astro Van AWD.

You’re driving along on a warm, sunny day listening to your favorite song. Life is good. But when you turn down the radio, you hear an unusual noise that coincides with the rotation of the tires. What could it be?

Sound of wheel bearing failureat low speeds

A faulty ABS will make your vehicle’s brake system unpredictable. The ABS can suddenly activate and pump your brakes even though it’s unnecessary. In some cases, it can start making strange clicking noises.

Wheel bearings have an average lifespan of 136,000 to 160,000 km (approximately 85,000 to 100,000 miles). This is only a rule of thumb though, the actual lifespan of a wheel bearing depends on the quality of the wheel bearing and the operating conditions.

You already know a faulty wheel bearing can cause noise. But did you know that it can cause other issues as well? A bad bearing may allow the wheel hub to exhibit excessive movement. Plus, the internal bearing components will experience increased friction. As a result, you may notice your vehicle displaying the following problems:

While you should never want to hear the sound of a wheel bearing going out, it’s important to recognize the noise. Most people describe a bad wheel bearing as making a growling or rumbling noise (the sound is often mistaken for worn tires). Also, in some cases, a bad bearing may make a high-pitched grinding or squealing sound.

Having said that, it is best to avoid driving with a worn wheel bearing for any length of time. As we’ve already seen, the wheel bearing is essential for connecting your wheel to your car, and any weakness in this connection could have severe consequences for your drive-axle and steering assembly – as well as for your safety.

Sound of wheel bearing failurewhile driving

Your car has a lot of rotating parts, which makes it hard to distinguish a bad wheel bearing from many other problems. Paying attention to when the noise occurs may help you narrow down your options.

Despite the fact that modern wheel bearings are easier to install than previous generations, correct installation, the usage of appropriate tools and respecting the specified torque values are still essential for maximum performance, durability and safety. Therefore, we recommend having your wheel bearings fitted by a professional mechanic that has the skills and the tools to do the job.

You might be wondering whether you can continue driving with a bad wheel bearing. And the answer is—absolutely not. In some cases, a failed wheel bearing can cause you to lose a wheel while driving, which can have potentially deadly consequences.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication. Read our full disclaimer here.

Sound of wheel bearing failuresymptoms

Obviously, a faulty wheel bearing will only make noise when you’re driving. So, if you hear the sound when the vehicle is stopped, you can rule out the wheel bearings altogether. It’s also important to note that wheel bearing noise will basically sound the same no matter what type of surface you’re traveling over.

Most passenger cars and minivans come with a 4-wheel ABS, which also aids them in steering their vehicle during an emergency. In contrast, rear-wheel-only ABS is specifically designed to prevent pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs from skidding across slippery surfaces.

To learn more about each of these methods, check out our in-depth article on diagnosing a faulty hub and bearing assembly. You’ll quickly pick up the tips and tricks on how to check for a bad wheel bearing.

If wheel bearing noises and other symptoms of a bad wheel bearing appear while you’re driving, reduce your speed at a steady rate. Refrain from turning too fast to avoid damaging the bearing.

The content contained in this article is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified technician or mechanic. We encourage you to consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein. Under no circumstances will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content.

The only time you should pump the brake pedal when driving a car with ABS is when the system suddenly fails. If it’s working perfectly fine, however, just keep a firm pressure on the brake. This will allow the ABS to work much better.