3 Signs Of A Bad Wheel Bearing
Posted on: 3 October 2017
One of the most overlooked auto repairs is replacing wheel bearings. Automobile wheels are attached to a hub that is connected to the drive axle, and lubricated wheel bearings are what keep the wheels securely anchored to the hub. While wheel bearings are made to last for a very long time, they will eventually need to be replaced-- the key is to replace bad wheel bearings before they break, since a broken wheel bearing can cause the wheel and tire to fall off a car while it is in motion. Some common signs that your car's wheel bearings need to be replaced include:
Uneven Tire Wear
As an auto owner, it is important to inspect your tires regularly and pay attention to wear of the tire tire tread. If you notice that a tire on one side of the vehicle is showing more wear than the tire on the other side of the car, it may be a red flag that the wheel bearings are failing and need to be replaced. When one wheel bearing is bad, you will also need to replace the wheel bearing on the other tire that is on the same axle. Uneven tire wear can be caused by several things, including bad wheel bearings, so it is important to see a mechanic promptly for diagnosis and repair.
Roaring or Grinding Sound From Area Around Tire
When wheel bearings wear out, they lose their lubricity, which makes it much more difficult for the wheel and tire to spin freely without friction or generating excess amounts of heat. A common sign that a wheel bearing is no longer lubricated and needs to be replaced is a roaring or grinding sound coming from the area around the tire. This loud sound is essentially caused by metal rubbing on metal as the tire and wheel attempt to spin properly. Do not continue to drive if you hear these kind of sounds coming from a tire-- doing so can be dangerous and also cause a lot of damage to your car.
Feeling Vibration in the Steering Wheel
Feeling your vehicle's steering wheel vibrate is often a sign of some type of problem with the drive-axle, suspension, or wheels/tires. One way to determine if the problem is caused by a bad wheel bearing is to pay attention to when the steering wheel vibrates. If a wheel bearing is going bad, you will likely notice vibration even at a very low speed, and the vibration will get worse as you accelerate and pick up speed.
For more information, contact companies like Jensen Tire & Auto.
Share