What it does
Wheel bearings let each wheel spin smoothly on the vehicle. On most newer vehicles the bearing is a sealed hub assembly, and it often has the ABS wheel speed sensor built in.
Common symptoms
- A humming, growling or roaring noise that gets louder as you go faster
- The noise changes when you turn or change lanes
- ABS or traction control light coming on
- Play or a clunk when you rock the wheel
What to look for
- Turn test: on an empty road at 30 to 60 mph, gently swerve left and right. If the noise gets louder turning right, it's usually the left bearing, and the other way around. Turning puts more weight on the bad side.
- Safety first: if you lift the vehicle, use jack stands on solid, level ground. Never get under a vehicle held up only by a jack.
- Spin test: with the wheel off the ground, spin it slowly by hand. A good bearing is smooth and quiet. Rough, grinding or scraping means it's worn.
- Rock test: grab the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock and rock it. Play or a clunk can be the bearing, but it can also be a ball joint, so check which part is actually moving.
Could be something else
Cupped or unevenly worn tires hum too. Rotate the tires front to back. If the noise moves with them, it's the tires, not the bearing. A worn CV joint can also make noise near the wheel.
Is it safe to drive?
A bearing usually warns you with noise first, but it only gets worse. A badly worn bearing can get hot, damage the hub and eventually fail completely. Don't wait until it's grinding.
Related: Bad CV axle symptoms · Bad ball joint symptoms
Think it's your wheel bearing? Northwoods can check it right where your vehicle sits, anywhere in the greater Twin Ports area.