10 Symptoms of a Worn Hub Bearing

 The severity of the signs of a worn wheel hub bearing varies. Some may be difficult to detect, causing damage before repair is possible.

The amount of time it takes for damage to occur is determined by driving conditions and/or the mechanical procedures used during installation.

A noisy wheel bearing, or wheel hub bearing is a classic indicator of a faulty bearing. As this can also result in a MOT test to fail, before booking your next MOT testing service, request your mechanic to fully diagnose and unusual noises coming from your car and repair or replace the necessary parts.

Here are several signs of a worn wheel hub bearing or other damage to the wheel end:

1.      Snapping, clicking, or popping - This could be a sign of a worn or damaged outer CV joint. It can, however, be linked to excessive bearing endplay, which is usually accompanied with insufficient clamping. When cornering or making sharp turns, this noise is common.If you use an online MOT history checker and discover that a previous MOT test failed because of this, a faulty wheel hub bearing could be to blame. Check with your car mechanic to see if the wheel hub or wheel bearings have been replaced.

2.      Grinding sound when the car is moving - When a vehicle is grinding while in motion, it is usually a sign of mechanical damage to the wheel-end system. It refers to a bearing's lack of integrity, such as damage to the rollers or raceways. The noise is usually heard when the vehicle is moving or when turning.

3.      Clunking or knocking sounds - Excessive play in the CV-joints or U-joints might cause knocking or clunking. Excessive backlash in the differential gears might also cause it. This is not usually linked with bearings and is usually heard when changing directions, such as from forward to reverse or from accelerating to coasting.

4.      Humming, rumbling and growling noises - These are common noises linked with tyre, electrical, and motor components. If the noise or vibration is caused by a bearing, it is evident when travelling in a straight line but becomes more noticeable when rotating the steering wheel slightly to the left or right. The defective side is usually the one opposite the rumbling. When going online any searching 'check my MOT history' for your car, if you can see a previous MOT failed due to the above then the wheel hub or wheel bearings could have been at fault.

5.      Wobbly wheel or wheel vibrations - This is usually caused by a worn or damaged tyre, wheel, or suspension component, or a significant chassis misalignment. When it comes to the hub or bearing, this usually means a broken clamp or a bearing that has suffered severe mechanical damage. It can also happen if lug nuts aren't correctly torqued.

6.      Shuddering, shimmying, or vibrations at a steady speed - This is usually caused by old or damaged suspension components, as well as out-of-round or out-of-balance tyres. It isn't always a sign of hub or bearing deterioration.

7.      Pulling to one side - When the brakes are applied, there is an abnormal side pull. This is usually due to a faulty caliper or adjuster, but it can also be an indication of worn brakes or discs. Severe bearing looseness, on the other hand, might result in excessive runout, causing the brakes to pulse or pull. A deformed disc as a result of the caliper failing to retract is the most prevalent cause.

8.      Uneven brake disc or brake pad wear - This is usually due to a faulty caliper and/or adjuster and is not caused by a faulty bearing. Excessive runout caused by severe looseness caused by a worn or damaged bearing can produce uneven wear on the brake pads and/or disc. A deformed disc as a result of the caliper failing to retract is the most prevalent cause.

9.      Excessive or uneven tyre wear - This can be caused by a variety of factors. Wear or damage to suspension components, misalignment, poor inflation, or tyre selection are the most prevalent. While aberrant tyre wear might be caused by excessive bearing wear or looseness, it is usually linked to other failure mechanisms.

10.  ABS failure, which could be internal or external to the bearing or hub bearing assembly - In severe circumstances, excessive movement caused by too much endplay can destroy internal and external sensors. This implies that the bearing clamp is missing or broken. This is usually the result of serious mechanical failure or damage. (In addition, sensor damage can occur in systems where the sensor is positioned externally due to corrosion, stones, and other risks.)

If you come across any of the above symptoms, go online and search for car services near me and book your car in with a qualified mechanic to fully diagnose the problem and repair or replace any faulty parts.