5 Symptoms of Bad Wheel Bearings

Do you think that dead battery, tire pressure, thickening fluids or problematic AC are the most common issues to your car? Then you might not have heard of the problems occurring to the wheel bearings.

Now, from the article on Philkotse.com, you can understand how important it is and there're obvious signs that can be recognized effortlessly. 

I. What are the wheel bearings?

Let's have a general idea on the wheel bearings. A wheel bearing is a fixture of balls made of steel held together by a race or a small metal ring. Its primary role is to help with the fast wheel spinning while producing less friction as possible.

All vehicles from bicycles to aircraft use wheel bearings. On a car, the wheel bearing sits on a metal axle chute and is fitted tightly inside the hub. The hub is a hallowed piece of metal found at the center of the wheel.

Wheel bearings are one of the most common car parts that are taken for granted. Used in both the front and back wheels, wheel bearings make your tires and wheels turn efficiently less the unnecessary heat and noise.

Car wheel bearings

Each of your car’s wheels has its wheel bearing, so it is possible that each of the bearings wears down or needs to be replaced individually. A single wheel bearing might already be bad while the rest are in good working condition.

You need to be aware that there is some dishonest and greedy mechanic. They are the people who would sometimes advise that all wheel bearings need to be replaced or both wheel bearings sharing the same axle; this is seldom the case.

This is when you have to concentrate on and figure out the signs especially when you want to understand a used car before making a deal.

II. 5 common signs of the bad wheel bearings

1. An audible grinding noise

This is usually the first sign of a bad wheel bearing. Similar to any other machine, a grinding noise is almost always equal to mechanical damage. For wheel bearings, a grinding sound means that there is a lack of lubrication, or there is damage in the rollers or lining.

You should not just be alarmed of the noise of two metal clashing against each other but of the possible heat build-up happening inside. Usually, the grinding sound tends to be louder when turning or shifting.

Other reasons why there would be noises from the wheel bearings would be:

The wrong Installation – if wheel bearing has just been replaced or repaired and noise can be heard, it is possible that the wheel bearings have been damaged during the installation or it was installed improperly. It is also possible that the manufacturer’s recommendation was not followed.

A grinding noise is almost always equal to mechanical damage

Going through Deep Water – the seals of the wheel bearing is designed so that the pressure can still leave the wheel bearings. This sealant is usually a petroleum-based lubricant, and unfortunately, it cannot stop water from going through or in.

If you drive through a heavily flooded area, the wheel bearings are subjected to moisture, and the lubricant becomes ineffective. If too much water comes in, the entire wheel bearing needs to be replaced. This is one of the problems in the rainy season to your car so that you must be very careful, though.

Ravaged by the Rough Roads – the whole pressure is being carried by the wheel bearings, and a bumpy and rough ride can lead the wheel bearing to get damaged. When you hit something like a pothole, the ball of the bearings are forced, and this leads to small damages in the wheel bearings.

These accumulated damages can cause unwanted heat and friction which in time, will damage the wheel bearings.

2. Vibration in the steering wheel

This is another sign of bad wheel bearings. Usually, the problem exhibits itself at a slower speed and escalates as the car accelerates. If the vibrating motion happens during high speeds, then it is likely that a tire-balancing problem needs to be addressed.

Vibration in the steering wheel is another sign of bad wheel bearing

3. Wheel Play

As the bearings wear down, they tend to become loose inside the wheel causing a wobble or play in your steering wheel. This is usually referred to as wheel play.

 This is a little bit challenging to diagnose because you will need to have your car on a hydraulic lift or with both of its wheels of an axle on jack stands. While the car is lifted, clutch one of the wheels and rock it back and forth and observe how much movement or ‘play’ the wheel has.

You can do the same test on the other wheel at the other end of the axle. If there is so much activity when you rock it, you are most likely dealing with a bad wheel bearing. A right wheel bearing should not have any play or wobble.

As the bearings wear down, they tend to become loose inside the wheel causing a wobble or play in your steering wheel

4. The car pulls to one side

If you are driving on a straight road but your car seems to be going anywhere but straight, this means either bad driving or that your wheel bearing has accumulated too much dirt or is already corroded.

The smooth outer lining may have disappeared already causing more friction to be produced, thus the tires are not cooperating and would feel like it is being pulled to one side and against each other.

If this is the case of your car with more or less a wheel bearing that needs to be replaced then take the time to visit your service center. But before that, you should know properly about your basic car problems and related facilities surrounding this area. This is easily repairable but if left unattended may cause some severe risks.

The tires are not cooperating and would feel like it is being pulled to one side and against each other

5. Uneven Tire Wear

When the wheel bearing has taken its toll of use, they tend to wear out irregularly from the other wheel bearings. This will lead the corresponding tire to have uncharacteristic tire wear if compared to the state of the others. In a typical setting where the tires thin out, they would all equally wear out by basically driving on them If they are unevenly worn out then it could be very well concluded to a bad wheel bearing.

If tires are unevenly worn out, it could be very well concluded to a bad wheel bearing

If you notice any of these signs or would like to make sure that every little part of your car is in excellent condition then always make sure that you listen to what your car tells you and have it maintained on a regular basis.

Overall safety is the key when it comes to being out on the road. Discover more tips and advice now!