Easy Way to check wheel bearings?

[bzettler83]

2005 V8 - 163k miles

Is there an easy way to inspect or determine if I need to replace my wheel bearings without having to tear in to things too much?

 

[Monkey Wrench]

If you have a vibration that goes away when you turn, it may be the wheel bearings. You can lift the front up up and check for play in the wheels. Sometimes a bad wheel bearing will feel gritty and rough when you spin the wheel by hand.

My 4Runner has a vibration that goes away when I turn left. It happens in 2wd or 4wd so it shouldn't be the CV axles (plus I changed those about a year ago so they should be good).

 

[wc11]

You will/can hear a drone/humming from them as well that will vary with road speed. Had both my rear bearings done in January.

 

[neal0124]

Lift the wheel off the ground. Then, grab the wheel at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Try wobbling the wheel (pushing then pulling at 12 o'clock and pulling then pushing at 6 o'clock). If the wheel bearings are bad you should be able to feel it. It'll have play in it. A good wheel bearing will be solid and won't allow any play.

 

[ElZilcho]

Generally you'll hear a speed dependent hum before a wheel bearing becomes an issue. If you lift the wheels and turn the hub by hand a bad bearing will grind, or you will feel a detent, or you just can't turn it by hand.

What's the truck doing that leads you to believe you've got a bad bearing?

 

[chengitis]

I just did my front bearings a few weeks ago. Had the humming noise but would go away when only turning left and vibration on passenger side floor board. Driver side was still good but passenger side were shot. I ended up changing both just to get that peace of mind.

 

[twa318]

When you're on the highway, gently steer from left to right in your lane. If you have a bad bearing you will hear it make noise when you steer one direction but not the other.

It seems like 200k is around the typical lifespan on our 4R wheel bearings. My drivers side is growling @ 195k but not to the point where I need to replace ASAP. Check out jersey built hubs on here, I've heard their products are legit and decently priced

 

[jed1177]

At approximately 112,000 miles, a faint humming noise started on my 08' Limited at 60 mph. If you backed off the speed below 60mph, it stopped.

On a straight, clear roadway, I would steer (drift) it to the left and then bring it back to the right and the noise would go away when coming back to the right.
It has always been confusing to me which wheel bearing was going bad, but under these circumstances, it was the drivers side.

As a previous post mentioned, lift the front wheels off the ground and use the 12 and 6 o'clock hold and try rocking the tire back and forth. You will notice the slightest movement in an out if one is bad.

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Just changed my bearings- best $300 I’ve spent in a while. So much smoother and quieter than before.

 

[Bumper2Bumper Auto]

Just changed my bearings- best $300 I’ve spent in a while. So much smoother and quieter than before.

A lot of good information on how to test and inspect for a bad wheel bearing. Feel free to contact me if you are in need of a complete replacement assembly. I have been building and selling them for over 6 years, and have nearly 10,000 units in circulation on all types of Toyota trucks!

 

[Bigshankhank]

Been hearing a hum since I got new tires about 20k ago, assumed it was the tires. Truck has 198k on it, I am finding a lot of info on complete front assemblies but very little abuot the rears? Will likely do all 4 since hitting 200k is plenty justification for lots of new parts.

 

[Bigshankhank]

FWIW I have replacement front axles on hand as well, been putting off that install (OEM units have torn boots) as I have been DD’ing about 150 miles round trip every day for the past year and not going anywhere that FWD is needed. So now that this project is ending the truck goes on the stands for new axles, bearings, brakes, whatever other overdue maintenance it needs.

 

[jsmith21]

So judging by the stuff I’ve read in here, if my wheel moves a little whenever it’s in the air and I push on it; I have a bad bearing?


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