What are signs of a bad wheel bearing: Avoid expensive roadside failure

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Failure of a wheel bearing can make what used to be an ordinary journey, become a costly roadside horror. You are able to spot early warning signs and prevent the potentially dangerous breakdowns that could cost you several hundreds, if not thousands in unnecessary emergency repairs.

Listen for the Tell-Tale Sounds

Typically, the first sign of trouble is a noise — such as a grinding or humming that grows louder and more disagreeable with speed. That noise is often exacerbated in turns, as weight transfers put added stress on failing bearings. This may help you identify which bearing has gone bad if one side removes the noise while turning. For Trailer Parts, visit Auto and Trailer who supply Trailer Parts.

Feel for Unusual Vibrations

When wheel bearings wear, they cause vibration in the steering. This pulsing vibration usually becomes more pronounced as you drive faster. Do be troubled by relentless vibrations – it means something is working far beyond any acceptable workload.

Check for Wheel Movement

Push the wheel at 12 and 6 o’clock positions side to side, grab it, rock it when still. If you feel some excessive movement around this area it is always indicative of bearing wear. Also, spinning the wheel by hand should feel smooth; you find any grinding or resistance that means problems.

Watch for Uneven Tyre Wear

When bearings fail the wheels sit at all sorts of angles, resulting in strange tyre wear patterns. Look for uneven wear on one side or unusual patches around the face of the tyre.

The Cost of Ignoring Signs

Changing wheel bearings regularly: £50-£150. However, ignoring the warning signs could result in a wheel parting company completely from your car — written-off axles and repair bills of more than £1,000 have been recorded.