Imagine driving along the road and suddenly hearing a loud noise coming from your tyres. The culprit might be a bad wheel bearing. Although small, wheel bearings are an important component of your vehicle as they allow the wheels to rotate smoothly and effortlessly. How do you know if you have problems, and what should you do?
Strange noises
One of the earliest signs of bad wheel bearings is unusual noises coming from the wheels. The louder the noise, the more urgent the problem. You might hear a humming, rumbling or growling sound coming from the affected wheel, especially when accelerating. As a preventative measure, it's better to have the bearings checked at the first sign of noise.
Uneven Tyre Wear
When your tyres are wearing out faster than they should, it could be a sign of bad wheel bearings. When the bearings wear out, the wheels do not turn as smoothly, and the tyre movement is not even. The result is uneven wear which not only affects your car's performance but also your safety on the road.
Steering Wheel Vibration
Do you feel a wobbling or shaking movement in your steering wheel while driving at higher speeds? This could be a sign of bad wheel bearings. A worn-out bearing will cause the wheel to wobble and vibrate, making it hard to control the vehicle.
ABS Light On
Most modern cars come with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). The ABS light comes on when there's a fault in the system, and this includes a malfunctioning wheel bearing. A bad bearing can cause the ABS sensor to record the wrong data, which triggers the ABS light to come on. When you see the ABS light on your dashboard, it's time to check the bearings.
Increased Wobble in Brake Discs
A bad wheel bearing on a front wheel can cause an increased wobble in the brake rotors. This could lead to pulsating when you apply the brakes, which is not only frustrating but also dangerous. This is because the brake pads are not making even contact with the disc surface, making it harder to slow the car down.
What to Do Next
As a car owner, it's essential to know the signs of bad wheel bearings. If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, it's important to have the bearings inspected as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your car and keep yourself and others on the road safe. Regular maintenance and inspection of your car's wheel bearings can also save you money in the long run by helping to avoid costly repairs down the line.
Contact a local auto shop to learn more about car repairs.
Share13 July 2023
If you drive a lot for business, you probably put a lot of kilometres on your vehicle. Whether you are driving from client to client in the same city or driving across the country, your vehicle needs to be well prepared for the journey. You don't want to miss out on a great opportunity because your car has broken down on the way to the meeting. Hi, my name is Carla, and I've been stranded on the side of the road, desperately trying to reach a client to reschedule. After that experience, however, I decided that I needed to pay more attention to auto service, and recently I decided to create this blog to help others in similar situations. Thanks for reading! I hope my tips help you!
