Main phenomena of bearing damage: A continuous humming sound during driving, which gets louder as the speed increases; squeaking or metallic scraping sounds when turning the steering wheel; severe cases may cause the steering wheel to vibrate; a “thumping” noise when driving over bumpy roads or speed bumps; the vehicle veers off course or the steering wheel becomes heavy; obvious body vibration at high speeds; weakened power; abnormal increase in wheel hub temperature; uneven tire wear or tread cracks.
Diagnosis methods: Open the car window. If the abnormal noise comes from outside the vehicle and intensifies with increasing speed, it might be a bearing issue. If the noise does not diminish when coasting in neutral, engine noise can be ruled out, indicating a problem with the wheel bearings. After driving, touch the wheel hubs. Under normal circumstances, the temperature difference between the front and rear wheels is small. If a certain wheel hub is significantly hotter, be cautious. Use a jack to lift each wheel one by one, and quickly rotate the tires. If you hear a scraping sound or the rotation is not smooth, the bearing may be damaged. Use a vibration analyzer or stethoscope to detect the vibration frequency of the bearing, or judge internal wear based on the condition of the lubricant.
Precautions: If you notice any of the above phenomena, it is recommended to have the vehicle inspected at a professional repair point as soon as possible to avoid safety accidents caused by bearing breakage. During regular maintenance, clean the bearing dirt and replace the lubricating grease to extend its service life.
