Diagnosis And Testing - Hub Bearing - Noise
The wheel bearing is designed to last for the life of the vehicle and requires no type of periodic maintenance.
Bearings will produce noise if worn or damaged. The noise will generally change when the bearings are loaded. A road test of the vehicle is normally required to determine if there is a bearing noise, or if it is some other component. To assist in finding the location, the following procedure, together with the DIAGNOSTIC TABLE - HUB BEARING , should help determine if a bearing is causing the noise, and if so which one. Keep in mind that bearing noises are not typically intermittent. If a particular vehicle road test maneuver results in noise only part of the time, it is not likely a faulty bearing.
Damaged bearing seals and the resulting excessive grease loss may also require bearing replacement. Moderate grease seepage from the bearing is considered normal and should not require replacement of the wheel bearing. To diagnose the hub, measure hub runout. Refer to ROTOR, BRAKE, DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE:
- Perform a drive evaluation. Find a smooth level road surface void of traffic or obstructions. Turn off any accessories which may cause background noise. Evaluate for noise at 50 km/h (30 mph) and 100 km/h (60 mph) and with vehicle in neutral to eliminate potential drivetrain noises. With vehicle at a constant speed, steer back and forth to left and right. This will load and unload the bearings and may change the noise level. When bearing damage is slight, the noise is sometimes noticeable at lower speeds and at other times is more noticeable at higher speeds.
- Drive evaluation results: Did the noise increase when turning right which may indicate a problem with the left bearing? Did the noise increase when turning left which may indicate a problem with the right bearing?
- Put vehicle up on hoist. Grab the tire by pushing in on the top center and pulling out on the bottom center to check for excessive movement in the bearing.
- Check for potential rubbing on rotating components, such as rotor splash shields, heat shields touching propshaft or halfshaft, wheel well liners contacting tire, wheel cover on wheel, etc. Any cyclic noise (once per wheel revolution for example) is not a wheel bearing fault.
- Remove the wheel and tire assembly, disc brake caliper and brake rotor. Refer to ROTOR, BRAKE, REMOVAL .
- Rotate the wheel hub, checking for resistance or roughness.
- Any roughness or resistance to rotation may indicate dirt intrusion or a failed hub bearing. If the bearing exhibits any of these conditions, the hub & bearing will require replacement. Do not attempt to disassemble the bearing for repair.
- Rotate the wheel hub, utilize Chassis Ears (or stethoscope) to check for noise.
- If none of the above checks indicate a bearing failure, refer to the DIAGNOSTIC TABLE - HUB BEARING for other possible causes.
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | POTENTIAL CORRECTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| FRONT END WHINE ON TURNS | 1. Low Power Steering Fluid Level (if applicable) | 1. Fill power steering fluid reservoir to proper level, check for leaks (make sure all air is bled from system fluid) |
| 2. Worn Tires and/or Incorrect Wheel Alignment | 2. Replace Tires, Check And Reset Wheel Alignment | |
| 3. Defective Wheel Bearing | 3. Replace Wheel Bearing | |
| 4. Wrong Power Steering Fluid (if applicable) | 4. Replace With Correct Power Steering Fluid | |
| FRONT END GROWL OR GRINDING ON TURNS | 1. Loose Wheel Lug Nuts | 1. Verify Wheel Lug Nut Torque |
| 2. Engine Mount Grounding Against Frame Or Body Of Vehicle | 2. Check For Engine Mount Hitting Frame Rail And Reposition Engine As Required | |
| 3. Worn Tires and/or Incorrect Wheel Alignment | 3. Replace Tires, Check and Reset Wheel Alignment | |
| 4. Defective Wheel Bearing | 4. Replace Wheel Bearing | |
| 5. Worn or Broken C/V Joint | 5. Replace C/V Joint | |
| 6. Engine Not Centered, Causing Axle Half Shaft to Bottom Out | 6. Center the Engine | |
| POPPING/CLICKING/SNAPPING DURING ACCELERATION AFTER DRIVE-TO-REVERSE SHIFT, REVERSE-TO-DRIVE SHIFT OR WHILE TURNING | 1. Insufficient Hub Nut Torque | 1. Torque Hub Nut to Spec |
| 2. Insufficient Grease on Mating Surface of Axle Half Shaft Outer C/V Joint to Wheel Hub/Bearing, or Worn/Damaged Gasket | 2. Separate Half Shaft From Hub and Bearing and Wipe Mating Surfaces Clean. Apply Light Coating of Wheel Bearing Grease to C/V Joint Surface and Reassemble, or Replace Gasket. Torque Hub Nut to Spec | |
| WHINE/HUM/ROAR WITH VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT AT A CONSTANT SPEED | 1. Worn Tires and/or Incorrect Wheel Alignment | 1. Replace Tires and Reset Wheel Alignment |
| 2. Defective Wheel Bearing | 2. Replace Wheel Bearing | |
| GROWL OR GRINDING WITH VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT AT A CONSTANT SPEED | 1. Engine Mount Grinding Against Frame or Body | 1. Check and Reposition Engine as Required |
| 2. Defective Wheel Bearing | 2. Replace Wheel Bearing | |
| 3. Worn or Broken C/V Joint | 3. Replace C/V Joint |