There are a few things to listen and feel for when attempting to diagnose a bad wheel bearing. Some of the sounds that we associate with bad bearings can also be indicators of problems with other parts of the vehicle, but there are a few tricks to test whether the noise is a bearing issue. Here are a few sounds that can indicate a bad bearing:

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Start by listening for clicking, humming, or growling noises and feel for vibrations through the steering wheel. If you can pinpoint where the noises are coming from, the next step is to remove the wheel and do a physical inspection.

Laser alignment tools (see Figure 4) on the other hand are considerably easier and faster to use (although speed is not an essential factor – repeatable measurements and precise results are the goals). Laser alignment systems also:

The biggest issue is the human element. This means the transfer of information from what is read on the dial is many times input incorrectly into the calculation.

Your wheel bearings impact efficiency and keep the wheels attached to your car, so it’s important to use the best possible parts to complete any repair. Replacing your own wheel bearings can be an afternoon or evening job, depending on the make and model of your vehicle, so do a bit of research and don’t be afraid to tackle this important repair yourself.

Since the wheel bearing is the sole point of contact between the car and the wheel, it’s very important that it is functioning properly. A bad bearing will be noisy, could lead to heat damage of other components, and could seize up or cause the wheel to break off the car, leaving the driver stranded.

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Some of these symptoms can also be a result of bad tires, or even a bad CV joint, but a bad bearing will sound worse when it is put under load, like when the car is turning, so use this method to test and see if it is your bearing that’s causing the noise:

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Be sure to consult your owner’s manual, a repair guide, an AutoZoner at a store near you, or a licensed, professional mechanic for vehicle-specific repair information. Refer to the service manual for specific diagnostic, repair and tool information for your particular vehicle. Always chock your wheels prior to lifting a vehicle. Always disconnect the negative battery cable before servicing an electrical application on the vehicle to protect its electrical circuits in the event that a wire is accidentally pierced or grounded. Use caution when working with automotive batteries. Sulfuric acid is caustic and can burn clothing and skin or cause blindness. Always wear gloves and safety glasses and other personal protection equipment, and work in a well-ventilated area. Should electrolyte get on your body or clothing, neutralize it immediately with a solution of baking soda and water. Do not wear ties or loose clothing when working on your vehicle.

Wheel bearings have come a long way since the days when you had to repack them every several thousand miles, but they still do fail on occasion. Keep reading to learn how to identify a bad wheel bearing by the sounds it makes and what to do to avoid a wheel bearing to go bad.

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Back in the days of horses and carriages, wheels were attached to the carriage by way of a wooden or metal stick axle that was fixed to the carriage, requiring the wheels to rotate on the axle. A major drawback of this setup was that there was a lot of friction between the wheel and the axle, and that friction made it harder to move the carriage, resulting in wasted energy. The other issue was that the friction would cause a lot of wear and tear on the axle and wheel where they joined, so you’d need to do constant maintenance on the joint.

The goal is for these shafts to stay aligned when in operation, at full operating temperature and under load. The sheer torque of running machines will create an offset and angular misalignment, usually a combination of both (see Figure 1).

Many use the term “coupling alignment” which is incorrect. This was an old term used to describe the straightedge and feeler gauge method of alignment. This was normally done without shaft rotation. This method of alignment can still be used as a rough-in process prior to precision alignment, but it cannot achieve the necessary tolerances needed for modern day machines.

Often several machines are connected in line, usually called a Machine Train, for example a gearbox between engine and the driven machine.

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Using a laser-based shaft alignment system is without doubt the best method. Yes, you can use a dial indicator system, however, these systems are fraught with errors. For example:

Wheel bearings have come a long way since the days when you had to repack them every several thousand miles, but they still do fail on occasion. Keep reading to learn how to identify a bad wheel bearing by the sounds it makes and what to do to avoid a wheel bearing to go bad.

Wikipedia describes shaft alignment as “the process of aligning two or more shafts with each other to within a tolerated margin. It is an absolute requirement for machinery before the machinery is put in service.”

If you catch a wheel bearing right when it starts to fail, you probably will have enough time to get to the shop or your home and do the diagnosis and repair. Be aware that driving at highway speeds will intensify any bearing issues and could lead it to fail faster, so be prudent with your route.

Most importantly they can give a documented, detailed report of the installation (see Easy-Laser XT Report example in Figure 5). Because if you have to do a breakdown analysis on this machine and you don’t have this report you will only be guessing as to what was done. For motor shaft alignment tools & equipment contact us.

Another type is offset mounted, or cardan-shaft-coupled machines aka universal joints. These often have some type of drive, for example rollers in a papermaking machine. Many people wrongly believe that cardan-shaft-coupled machines do not need to be aligned as accurately. But an angular error in these machines causes a non-linear motion, which causes forces and vibrations in bearings, couplings and seals. In other words, shortens the service life.

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In automotive applications, the wheel bearings are usually sealed units that connect the wheel to the suspension of the vehicle. Your wheel studs will typically be part of the bearing and if it is a drive wheel, there can be a hollow in the middle of the bearing where a spindle is inserted from the axle shaft.

While “shaft alignment” is the common term, the correct term would be “shaft to shaft alignment”. However, when we say shaft alignment, it is assumed that we are aligning one shaft to another. What we’re trying to accomplish is the alignment of the rotational center line of one shaft with the other shafts rotational center line. These shafts are usually being held in position by bearings attached to machines such as a pump and motor.

Rotating machines are usually described according to how they are connected to each other. The most common are horizontally mounted machines, usually a pump and motor (see Figure 2). Rotating machines can also be positioned vertically on a flange-mount in some circumstances.

Once you’ve done the road test and have an idea of where the sound is coming from, park your car, jack it up, and remove the tire. Don’t forget to use jack stands! With the tire off, rotate the bearing to see if there is undue resistance or if you can feel or hear clicks, grinding or other sounds coming from the bearing. It should be smooth and quiet. You can also try to wiggle it back and forth and there shouldn’t be any play in the bearing.

The first caged bearings for axles were patented in the late 1700s, and the design that has carried forward to modern times is basically a set of steel balls or rollers that are housed within a ring-shaped housing called a race. Most ball bearings will have an inner race, which is grooved and holds the balls on the inside, and a grooved outer race on the outer circumference of the bearing. In a roller bearing, the race has slots that allow the rollers to spin against the axle on the inside and the wheel on the outside.

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When it’s time to shop for a new wheel bearing, AutoZone has all the parts and tools you need to keep your car rolling, and we have locations in every state that you can find by using our Store Locator.

You may find that the car wanders on the road, your tires may wear unevenly, the friction heat from the failed bearing could damage other parts of the car, and the wheel could actually separate from your car.