How to tell if a wheel bearing is worn?

VonLuck

So I've started to hear a bit of a rumble when driving along in my car recently. At first I thought it was a deflated tyre because of the sound, but that wasn't the case and the noise is persistent. I've asked a few friends and they said it could be a wheel bearing that's worn, bear in mind have no real knowledge of cars beyond owning one.

Is there any way of checking without calling in to a garage? I don't want to fork out cash for a mechanic to check for a problem that might not even exist.

visual

Jack up car and spin wheel by hand
then compare it to other side.
Chances are you will hear feel worn noisy bearings

CiniO

Accelerate to 100km/h and put your gear into neutral and revs at idle.
Then you should hear the bearing the most. It will be louder the faster you go.

Rave.ef

More den likely it's coming from a rear tyre on the inner shoulder it's like it's skipping on every second verge. I come across it every day. Might not be the problem but it should always be the first place to look when this happens.

BohsCeltic

Make sure all your wheel nuts are tight for a start

VonLuck

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try jacking up the car and rocking each wheel.

If I don't get any movement, is there anything else that could be causing the rumbling noise?

Special Circumstances

VonLuck wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try jacking up the car and rocking each wheel.

If I don't get any movement, is there anything else that could be causing the rumbling noise?

I had expected to hear a kinda helicoptery noise or a rumble from a wheel bearing but getting a rear one replaced tomorrow and didn't get noises while driving. Maybe noise is more common on driven wheels?

First noticeable symptom was a slight burning smell from one wheel. Jacked up that wheel and there was a rough sound like there was sand in the bearing. It actually sounded like a good amount of coarse sand tumbling down inside the tyre.

Jack em up and spin them, if one is odd compared to the others then...


Bad roads, bad tyres are possible but it sounds from your post that these noise have developed independent of any changes in tyres or usual routes?

mgbgt1978

It should be a low rumble type of noise ( rather than anything high-pitched). It should usually be much noisier when you turn....a slight swerve on a main road is easier as you can check both sides.
If the noise gets louder as you turn right it's a left-hand bearing and vice-versa. This is because there is more weight on one side of the car as you turn.