1. Locate the affected wheel:
- Listen for a humming or grinding noise that gets louder as the vehicle's speed increases.
- Pay attention to any vibrations or wobbling in the steering wheel or seat.
- Look for uneven tire wear or a wheel that appears tilted or misaligned.
2. Jack up the vehicle:
- Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply the parking brake, and use a chock to secure the wheels opposite the one you suspect to be faulty.
- Jack up the vehicle until the affected wheel is off the ground but still supporting a portion of the car's weight.
3. Check for play in the wheel:
- Grasp the tire at the top and bottom and try to move it in and out.
- If there is excessive play, the wheel bearing may be the cause.
4. Spin the wheel:
- While supporting the weight of the vehicle with your hand, spin the wheel with your other hand.
- Listen for any grinding or clicking noise that indicate a faulty bearing.
5. Test for resistance:
- Hold the tire, place your hands at 3 & 9 o'clock, and try to rotate the wheel forward and backward.
- If you feel any resistance or roughness, it could be due to a bad wheel bearing.
6. Check for looseness:
- Grab the tire at 12 & 6 o'clock and try to lift it up and down.
- Excessive movement may indicate a worn-out wheel bearing.
7. Isolate the problem:
- Repeat steps 3 to 6 on each wheel to compare and identify the specific bad wheel bearing
Remember, diagnosing a bad wheel bearing requires a combination of visual and auditory examinations . If you suspect a fault but still feel unsure take your vehicle to a trained professional for thorough inspection and confirmation diagnosis and avoid driving at higher speeds.
