What are four symptoms of a defective wheel bearing?
The symptoms of bad wheel bearings include:
- Noise: A humming, rumbling or growling noise that increases with acceleration or as the vehicle turns.
- Looseness, excessive play in the steering wheel (vague steering);
- Steering wheel vibration which changes with the vehicle speed or as the vehicle turns;
- ABS malfunctioning.
What are the symptoms of bad wheel bearings or hubs?
Here are some of the common signs associated with worn wheel hub bearings:
- Grinding Noise. If you hear (or sometimes even feel) a grinding noise coming from the car, it is often a sign of a damaged wheel bearing.
- Humming Noise.
- Other Sounds.
- Vibrating or Wobbling Wheels.
- Car Pulling to One Side.
- Uneven Brake Pad or Tire Wear.
What are the dangers of driving with a bad wheel bearing?
Q: Is it safe to drive with a bad wheel bearing? A: No. It can, in fact, be very dangerous to drive if one of your bearings is worn out, especially since it may cause the wheel to stop while driving. Additionally, a damaged wheel bearing puts a lot of stress on the hub, the CV joint, and the transmission itself.
Can I drive 200 miles with a bad wheel bearing?
If the bearing noise has been growing gradually, then without suggesting it is “okay” to drive 200 miles, the noise may just grow worse over that distance. If the bearing noise appeared out of nowhere, then that suggests an immediate failure potential and should be changed BEFORE a 200 mile drive.
Should I replace both wheel bearings?
If bearings go bad at one wheel, it is unnecessary to replace the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle. Don’t let someone talk you into work that is not needed.
Can your tire fall off from a bad wheel bearing?
A bad bearing can stop your wheel from moving, and this can happen while you are driving. The wheel bearing keeps your wheel attached to the car, so if it fails to function completely, then your tire could fall off.
Can I drive with a noisy wheel bearing?
It is safe to drive with a bad wheel bearing only if you just started to hear a humming, whining, grinding, or growling sound coming from the front or rear wheels. This indicates that the wheel bearing has begun failing and you would need to replace it as soon as possible.