Another symptom to watch out for is a vibration coming from the affected wheel. This is usually most noticeable at higher speeds (above 40 MPH) and can be dangerous if not addressed quickly.

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The classic symptom of a bad wheel bearing is typically a cyclical chirping, squealing or growling noise that changes proportional to vehicle speed. The sound may disappear at some speeds, or occur only at certain speeds. The noise may get worse when turning, or it may disappear momentarily. So, it’s challenging to make a diagnosis based on noise alone. Components like tires, CB joints and brakes can mimic wheel bearing noise. This is why interviewing the customer, going for a test drive and performing a rigorous visual inspection are critical to resolving the customer complaint.

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Wheel bearings are typically made up of an inner and outer ring, with the cage and balls in between. The inner ring is attached to the hub, while the outer ring is what the wheel bolts onto.

A CV joint is a type of joint that allows the shaft to transmit power while it’s at an angle. It’s most commonly used in drivetrains, where it connects the rotating driveshaft to the non-rotating wheel axles.

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CC: Related Articles - The core of electric vehicle drive units   - Electric vehicle radiator and cooling systems  - Inside Chrysler EHPS Systems The BCA Hub video series brings together the latest video tech tips on wheel hubs, bearings and seals, featuring the experts you trust. Brought to you by BCA Bearings by NTN. Learn more at bcabearings.com. The classic symptom of a bad wheel bearing is typically a cyclical chirping, squealing or growling noise that changes proportional to vehicle speed. The sound may disappear at some speeds, or occur only at certain speeds. The noise may get worse when turning, or it may disappear momentarily. So, it’s challenging to make a diagnosis based on noise alone. Components like tires, CB joints and brakes can mimic wheel bearing noise. This is why interviewing the customer, going for a test drive and performing a rigorous visual inspection are critical to resolving the customer complaint. Could the noise be in the tires? Tire noise is always proportional to vehicle speed. The noise generated by a tire can be caused by uneven tread patterns, tire construction and even wheel imbalance. This is typically due to missing tire rotations, or, in some rare cases, a shifted belt or a damaged construction. Visually inspect the tire and run your hands over the tire’s tread to detect uneven blocks or feathering of the inner or outer shoulders of the tire. Spin the wheel and look for excessive radial run out with your eye if possible. The tire and wheel assembly can have balance issues that can cause noise proportional to vehicle speed. If you see a wheel that is missing a wheel weight, it could a static or dynamic balance issue. Your best bet might be to use a balancer and see how bad the imbalance is. Also, on a balancer, you can measure rim run out. If the wheel assembly has a high spot as the area comes in contact with the road, it will produce a noise proportional to vehicle speed. What about the brakes? A caliper that is sticking, or a brake pad that is loose and dragging, may make a metallic scraping noise as it rubs against the brake rotor or dust shield. The frequency of the noise will also change proportional to vehicle speed, but will often go away or change when the brakes are lightly applied. Noise that occurs only when the driver is braking likely is a brake problem such as worn pads and not a bad wheel bearing. What about a CV joint? A popping or clicking noise when turning is a classic symptom of a bad outer CV joint. The noise will also increase as the steering angle is increased. Also, note the condition of a CV joint boot. If it is torn or leaking, the boot should be replaced regardless of the state of the joint. If the CV joint is noisy, it will need to be replaced. What about play in the bearing and flange? Raise the vehicle so the wheel is off the ground and then grab at the 12 and six o’clock positions and rock the tire back and forth. As a rule, you should not feel any play or looseness if the vehicle has a sealed wheel bearing cartridge or hubs with a sealed wheel bearing assembly. A little play is normal on older vehicles with serviceable wheel bearings, but a lot of play is not. Refer to the vehicles service specifications for the maximum amount of acceptable play. Wheel bearing play can be measured with a dial indicator by placing the dial indicator against the wheel flange and rocking it back-and-forth and in-and-out by hand. As a rule, you should see no more than five thousandths of an inch of run out if the bearings are good. What about the road surface? Bearing noise should never be intermittent, but the noise can change due to the harmonics and how the driver hears the road noise due to the road surface. This is why the customer interview is so important. Ask the customer: What does the noise sound like? When does the noise occur? What speed does the noise occur? And, does the noise change when breaking or turning? You should not interrupt the customer or try to diagnose the problem noise during the interview. Always take notes. If you just write on the repair order “Customer states they hear wheel bearing noise,” or “Check for wheel bearing noise,” you’re probably not going to get a proper diagnosis, and this will typically lead to an unhappy customer and an even unhappier technician. I’m Andrew Markel. Thank you very much. This video is sponsored by BCA Bearings by NTN.

In some cases, a bad wheel bearing can also cause the affected wheel to wobble or shake. This is usually most noticeable at higher speeds (above 40 MPH) and can be dangerous if not addressed quickly.

One of the most common symptoms is a clicking noise coming from the affected wheel when turning. This noise is caused by the balls inside the CV joint hitting against each other as they slide back and forth.

Another symptom to watch out for is increased vibration coming from the affected wheel. This can be felt through the floorboard or steering wheel and is usually worst between 15-25 MPH.

How to tell whichwheel bearingisbadwhile driving

The BCA Hub video series brings together the latest video tech tips on wheel hubs, bearings and seals, featuring the experts you trust. Brought to you by BCA Bearings by NTN. Learn more at bcabearings.com.

Bad wheel bearing

One of the most common symptoms is noise coming from the wheels or suspension area. This noise is usually described as a grinding, growling, or rumbling sound and is most noticeable when driving at lower speeds.

What about the brakes? A caliper that is sticking, or a brake pad that is loose and dragging, may make a metallic scraping noise as it rubs against the brake rotor or dust shield. The frequency of the noise will also change proportional to vehicle speed, but will often go away or change when the brakes are lightly applied. Noise that occurs only when the driver is braking likely is a brake problem such as worn pads and not a bad wheel bearing.

This movement allows the shaft to transmit power to the wheels while the suspension is moving up and down, always keeping the wheels in contact with the ground.

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Between these two races are a number of small metal balls (called “balls”) that rotate along with the shaft. As the shaft turns, the balls slide back and forth inside the races, allowing the inner and outer races to move relative to each other.

The CV joint consists of two main parts: the “inner race” and the “outer race.” The inner race is attached to the shaft, while the outer race is attached to the wheel axle.

If you’re experiencing strange noises or vibrations while driving, there’s a good chance that you have a bad wheel bearing or CV joint. Identifying the cause can seem difficult, but there are a few ways to pinpoint the faulty part.

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Over time, however, wheel bearings can wear out, causing noise and vibration that can be quite noticeable while driving. In some cases, a failed wheel bearing can even cause the wheel to come loose from the vehicle while you’re driving!

A wheel bearing is a set of steel balls held together by a metal ring called a “cage.” The cage keeps the balls spaced evenly around the circumference of the bearing and prevents them from coming into contact with each other during operation.

What about play in the bearing and flange? Raise the vehicle so the wheel is off the ground and then grab at the 12 and six o’clock positions and rock the tire back and forth. As a rule, you should not feel any play or looseness if the vehicle has a sealed wheel bearing cartridge or hubs with a sealed wheel bearing assembly. A little play is normal on older vehicles with serviceable wheel bearings, but a lot of play is not. Refer to the vehicles service specifications for the maximum amount of acceptable play. Wheel bearing play can be measured with a dial indicator by placing the dial indicator against the wheel flange and rocking it back-and-forth and in-and-out by hand. As a rule, you should see no more than five thousandths of an inch of run out if the bearings are good.

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To tell the difference between a bad wheel bearing and a bad CV joint, listen to the noise. If you hear a grinding, growling, or rumbling noise coming from the affected wheel, it’s a bad wheel bearing. If you hear a clicking noise coming from the affected wheel when turning, it’s a bad CV joint.

Could the noise be in the tires? Tire noise is always proportional to vehicle speed. The noise generated by a tire can be caused by uneven tread patterns, tire construction and even wheel imbalance. This is typically due to missing tire rotations, or, in some rare cases, a shifted belt or a damaged construction. Visually inspect the tire and run your hands over the tire’s tread to detect uneven blocks or feathering of the inner or outer shoulders of the tire. Spin the wheel and look for excessive radial run out with your eye if possible. The tire and wheel assembly can have balance issues that can cause noise proportional to vehicle speed. If you see a wheel that is missing a wheel weight, it could a static or dynamic balance issue. Your best bet might be to use a balancer and see how bad the imbalance is. Also, on a balancer, you can measure rim run out. If the wheel assembly has a high spot as the area comes in contact with the road, it will produce a noise proportional to vehicle speed. What about the brakes? A caliper that is sticking, or a brake pad that is loose and dragging, may make a metallic scraping noise as it rubs against the brake rotor or dust shield. The frequency of the noise will also change proportional to vehicle speed, but will often go away or change when the brakes are lightly applied. Noise that occurs only when the driver is braking likely is a brake problem such as worn pads and not a bad wheel bearing. What about a CV joint? A popping or clicking noise when turning is a classic symptom of a bad outer CV joint. The noise will also increase as the steering angle is increased. Also, note the condition of a CV joint boot. If it is torn or leaking, the boot should be replaced regardless of the state of the joint. If the CV joint is noisy, it will need to be replaced. What about play in the bearing and flange? Raise the vehicle so the wheel is off the ground and then grab at the 12 and six o’clock positions and rock the tire back and forth. As a rule, you should not feel any play or looseness if the vehicle has a sealed wheel bearing cartridge or hubs with a sealed wheel bearing assembly. A little play is normal on older vehicles with serviceable wheel bearings, but a lot of play is not. Refer to the vehicles service specifications for the maximum amount of acceptable play. Wheel bearing play can be measured with a dial indicator by placing the dial indicator against the wheel flange and rocking it back-and-forth and in-and-out by hand. As a rule, you should see no more than five thousandths of an inch of run out if the bearings are good. What about the road surface? Bearing noise should never be intermittent, but the noise can change due to the harmonics and how the driver hears the road noise due to the road surface. This is why the customer interview is so important. Ask the customer: What does the noise sound like? When does the noise occur? What speed does the noise occur? And, does the noise change when breaking or turning? You should not interrupt the customer or try to diagnose the problem noise during the interview. Always take notes. If you just write on the repair order “Customer states they hear wheel bearing noise,” or “Check for wheel bearing noise,” you’re probably not going to get a proper diagnosis, and this will typically lead to an unhappy customer and an even unhappier technician. I’m Andrew Markel. Thank you very much. This video is sponsored by BCA Bearings by NTN.

CV joints are located at either end of the driveshaft and are usually covered by a rubber or plastic “boot” that protects them from dirt and debris.

The tire and wheel assembly can have balance issues that can cause noise proportional to vehicle speed. If you see a wheel that is missing a wheel weight, it could a static or dynamic balance issue. Your best bet might be to use a balancer and see how bad the imbalance is. Also, on a balancer, you can measure rim run out. If the wheel assembly has a high spot as the area comes in contact with the road, it will produce a noise proportional to vehicle speed.

Most vehicles have four-wheel bearings – one at each corner of the vehicle – that support the weight of the vehicle and allow the wheels to rotate freely.

What about a CV joint? A popping or clicking noise when turning is a classic symptom of a bad outer CV joint. The noise will also increase as the steering angle is increased. Also, note the condition of a CV joint boot. If it is torn or leaking, the boot should be replaced regardless of the state of the joint. If the CV joint is noisy, it will need to be replaced. What about play in the bearing and flange? Raise the vehicle so the wheel is off the ground and then grab at the 12 and six o’clock positions and rock the tire back and forth. As a rule, you should not feel any play or looseness if the vehicle has a sealed wheel bearing cartridge or hubs with a sealed wheel bearing assembly. A little play is normal on older vehicles with serviceable wheel bearings, but a lot of play is not. Refer to the vehicles service specifications for the maximum amount of acceptable play. Wheel bearing play can be measured with a dial indicator by placing the dial indicator against the wheel flange and rocking it back-and-forth and in-and-out by hand. As a rule, you should see no more than five thousandths of an inch of run out if the bearings are good. What about the road surface? Bearing noise should never be intermittent, but the noise can change due to the harmonics and how the driver hears the road noise due to the road surface. This is why the customer interview is so important. Ask the customer: What does the noise sound like? When does the noise occur? What speed does the noise occur? And, does the noise change when breaking or turning? You should not interrupt the customer or try to diagnose the problem noise during the interview. Always take notes. If you just write on the repair order “Customer states they hear wheel bearing noise,” or “Check for wheel bearing noise,” you’re probably not going to get a proper diagnosis, and this will typically lead to an unhappy customer and an even unhappier technician. I’m Andrew Markel. Thank you very much. This video is sponsored by BCA Bearings by NTN.

What about the road surface? Bearing noise should never be intermittent, but the noise can change due to the harmonics and how the driver hears the road noise due to the road surface. This is why the customer interview is so important. Ask the customer: What does the noise sound like? When does the noise occur? What speed does the noise occur? And, does the noise change when breaking or turning? You should not interrupt the customer or try to diagnose the problem noise during the interview. Always take notes. If you just write on the repair order “Customer states they hear wheel bearing noise,” or “Check for wheel bearing noise,” you’re probably not going to get a proper diagnosis, and this will typically lead to an unhappy customer and an even unhappier technician. I’m Andrew Markel. Thank you very much. This video is sponsored by BCA Bearings by NTN.

As the name implies, wheel bearings provide smooth, friction-free rotation to your wheels while you’re driving down the road. Without them, your wheels would literally grind to a halt.