If you’re unsure of what’s causing the noises, you might want to look at other symptoms associated with a tire or wheel bearing issue.

you ordered online . . yet it could fail at any moment ? Why not just run to your nearest Auto Zone and grab one for $ 45.00 ?

Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.

Another advantage of an earlier repair, the part the bearing is pressed into (e.g. the hub/brake ass’y) can get distorted from the bearing’s friction heat and torquing forces and that has to be replaced along w/the bearing if you wait too long.

In my VW’s case that sound, over maybe 1500 miles, kept getting louder and louder until it became impossible to ignore. How many more miles I could have got, hard to say. Like you say, for my VW there wasn’t any noticeable play in the wheel, but I did hear a slight grinding noise when spinning it by hand, with the wheel jacked up. There indeed may have been some play by the time I finally got it fixed, but a repair shop did the job for me then and they didn’t mention whether there was play or not. They did say the bearings that came out were in pretty bad shape, definitely needed replacement.

Don’t allow the loud noises from your vehicle’s wheels or wheel bearings to continue. Order a new wheel and tire package or wheel bearings from CarParts.com today.

A squealing or grinding noise that worsens during acceleration is a tell-tale sign that your wheel bearing is bad. If the noise is steady, you’re probably dealing with a tire-related issue. Underinflated or misaligned tires may produce a vaguely similar noise, except that tires won’t squeal unless you’re doing a jackrabbit start or rounding a corner too fast.

Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.

A knocking or thumping noise may be caused by a tire wear pattern that happened while the vehicle was driven a long way with the vehicle needing an alignment.

Trying to find out what’s causing the strange noises from your vehicle can be like solving a complex puzzle. For example, it can be hard to distinguish wheel bearing noise from tire noise since they can sound alike.

Spin the tires to check if the bearing is making a noise. But realize that some bearing noises will only be present if the weight of the vehicle is sitting on the bearing, so just spinning the tire might not tell you anything. While you have the tire where you can spin it, carefully inspect it and look at the tread while it’s spinning to see if you notice anything unusual.

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While going to a mechanic is the easiest way to determine which component is making unusual noises, there are some things you can do to help pinpoint which parts may need attention.

The problem is that when it gets really bad the heat created can literally weld the bearing/hub/spindle together (or apart). I suppose a wheel could depart or lock up.

I’ve had to replace wheel bearings just one time before, on my late 70’s VW Rabbit, both front wheel bearings needed a re-do at 80K. The symptom was the front wheels started to make a growling noise that got louder the faster I drove. It sort of sounded like when you drive on a paved road, but one the road crew is working on, where they’ve ground off the top surface to expose the aggregate, prior to laying a new top surface on. You know how driving on that sounds?

I confirmed that I have a bad wheel bearing on my 2006 Ford Focus. I started hearing a faint rumbling or whining noise from the right rear a couple thousand miles ago. I first thought it was the tire going out of balance. The tire looked O.K., so I rotated them front to back. But the noise continued to come from the right rear. I concluded that it had to be the wheel bearing, so I periodically checked the wheels by lifting it up with a jack and trying to rock it side to side and front to back. I was told that when a wheel bearing goes bad, the wheel gets loose, so I should be able to check by rocking it. But all 4 wheels felt all right – that is, until someone suggested that a bad wheel bearing does not necessarily result in wobbly wheels, and that I need to rotate the wheel and hear for any grinding noise. Sure enough right rear wheel gave that noise. So, I am sure it is the wheel bearing.

Wheel bearing noisewhen turning

If your tires seem to be in good condition, you can go ahead and check the condition of your wheel bearings. Check for wheel bearing play by rocking the wheel or tire assembly. But note that sometimes you won’t notice any movement even if the wheel bearing is noisy.

Are these short trips? Less than 10 miles? If so, just feel that wheel’s lug nuts after each trip…if they’re not warmer than the other side’s…drive on…

Check your tires for cupping or sharp edges, which may cause growling or grinding noises while driving. If you spin the tires in the air and see the tread lines making lateral movements, or if the car seems to be waddling back and forth during slow parking lot maneuvers, suspect belt separation in a tire.

My question is… how long can I drive it like this before the wheel falls off. I ordered the drum with wheel bearing and a spindle nut on the Internet, so I am expecting them to arrive by this weekend. So, I am hoping I can drive it until then. If it absolutely necessary, I can find other forms of transportation.

My only experience with a bad bearing was one that started to make a little noise. We drove about 50 miles on it, and then it started to grab and pull the car to one side. We pulled over quickly, of course, and it had to be towed from that point.

Wheel bearing noisewhen accelerating

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Pro Tip: The hoses may also be stuck and will need to be peeled loose from the fitting after you make a linear cut.

Richard McCuistian has worked for nearly 50 years in the automotive field as a professional technician, an instructor, and a freelance automotive writer for Motor Age, ACtion magazine, Power Stroke Registry, and others. Richard is ASE certified for more than 30 years in 10 categories, including L1 Advanced Engine Performance and Light Vehicle Diesel.

"Did he fire six shots or only five? Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement I kinda lost track myself. But being this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and would blow your head clean off, you’ve gotta ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"

Wheel bearing noisewhen braking

I don’t believe anybody would /should advise you to keep driving on it. However, I have done it before. I’m sure there are people that don’t even heed the noise or don’t hear the noise and drive for quite some time…

Take note that wheel bearing noise is not always consistent, but may change with speed, during turns, or while applying the brake. Likewise, tire noise can come and go in much the same way.

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Yes. In some instances, a bad wheel bearing can cause uneven tire wear, resulting in combined noise from both components.

Parking the car is the prudent course. I am sure others like me have not been prudent in desperate situations and lucky, but if you are not in a desperate situation do not tqke a gamble.

To determine which part is causing the noise, turn your steering wheel left and right while driving. If the noise gets louder while turning, faulty wheel bearings are the likely culprit.

Wheel bearing noisequick fix

Wheel bearingcost

The cost isn’t in dispute. Roger ordered all the parts. He just needs to be able to get around until the parts arrive and can be installed. CSA

I begin to hear a really faint wheel bearing grinding noise beginning at about 20 MPH, and most people should be able to hear it at about 25, and the noise is difficult to ignore at 30. Do you think I can drive it another 100-200 miles? Do the wheels begin to wobble when the wheel bearings are about to fail?

Remember that the steps mentioned above are initial diagnostic measures you can do to help identify potential causes of the noise. If you don’t have the tools and advanced technical know-how, it’s always best to contact a trusted mechanic. A professional will be able to conduct thorough inspections, use the proper tools, and provide a conclusive diagnosis.

Pulling to the right is making me scared, although it’s not warmer than others. I should seriously consider parking the car until the parts arrive. Thank you very much for your help everyone.

Frontwheel bearing noisesymptoms

Cupping may also be a sign that your vehicle has suspension problems. Take your vehicle to an auto repair shop right away once you notice any signs of uneven tire wear.

My car was pulling to the right, except that it did it intermittently, and it hasn’t done it recently. I was figuring maybe the CV joints are on their way out with the odometer reading 133,000 miles. I guess the bearings were seizing when it is pulling to the right. Also, I have been feeling the lug nuts after just about every drive, but I have not felt one wheel to to be warmer than others.

Wheel bearingreplacement cost

Whether the troubling sound is coming from your vehicle’s wheel bearings or its wheels, it’s best to address the issue right away. Not only will it give you more peace while driving, getting rid of the noise gives you more peace of mind as well. Noises can point to other issues from those parts after all. If you need a new set of wheels or wheel bearings, you can check CarParts.com.

I guess my question was not properly phrased. If someone were to ask me the same question, I would also tell the person not to drive the car. I am curious whether there is any obvious sign of imminent catastrophic failure. It was strange that the bearing was obviously bad, but there was no wobbling. So, does the bearing noise get louder and louder until it fails completely?

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure whether you’re hearing a tire noise or a bearing noise, rotate the tires and see what changes. Some front-wheel drive vehicles will make tire noises if the rear wheels are moved to the front after a lot of miles without being properly rotated.

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Once you’re quite sure that the noise is coming from the wheel area, you can raise your vehicle using a jack. Make sure that the vehicle is supported by jack stands for your safety.

So, bottom line, it can freeze at any time, and it could freeze gradually, as in my case, or it could freeze all at once, causing you to lose control.

If you spin the tires in the air and see the tread lines making lateral movements, or if the car seems to be waddling back and forth during slow parking lot maneuvers, suspect belt separation in a tire.

Have a passenger ride in the rear during a test drive to check where the noise is coming from. You’ll have to confirm if it’s coming from the wheel area or other parts of your vehicle, like the engine. You can also check to see if it is mirrored by engine speed or seems to be road-speed related.

Wheel bearing noisesafe to drive

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You can fix this now for the low cost or wait and pay the higher cast when the bearing gets that bad, the wheel comes off and the body of the car dropping onto the tire and wheel, you losing control enough that you crash into a bridge support, the dash and firewall being pushed back crushing your legs.

Wheel bearing and tire noises can be hard to differentiate but there are ways to help you pinpoint the source of the sound. But be warned: some of these noises even befuddle experts.

Here’s a relevant quiz for you. Which is more expensive, a new bearing or having the wheel lock up and driving into a bridge abutment?

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