Creaking wheel when in motion

[denniegst]

A couple days ago my tire on the front driver side blew out on the highway and it bent the rim. I put on the spare and went about 20 miles on it to get home. Upon reaching home I put on a new rim and tire. After 3 days of minimal driving it started to creak as I drove. It was only loud enough to heard as the car rolled ever so slightly, but I couldn't hear it over 5 mph. I just drove the car 5 minutes ago and the creaking is getting louder. Whats wrong with it?

 

[flyinghighlm]

ummm, possibly a wheel bearing. Take the tire off, jack it up and spin the hub by hand and listen for the sound. Anything other than that it will be heard to tell over the internet, ya know

 

[DSMboostin15]

I agree. It does sound like a wheel bearing issue. If the sound starts to get louder as you drive faster, it is definitely a wheel bearing.

 

[roadrunner2176]

Id go with the wheel bearing, but first check to see that all your lugs are tight. Also check your brakes. If your caliper is starting to stick it will sound like a wheel bearing going bad.

Pick up your wheel, spin it around and move it left-right, up-down looking for play. Movement up down, wheel bearing shot. If you turn it and theres resistance, check the calipers. Spin it around; if it feels choppy, bearing shot.

If you bent the rim, you could have also bent the wheel bearing assembly, and the rotor, depending on how hard you hit.

It couldn't hurt to have your alighnment checked after you find you problem. Hitting something hard enough to bend a rim has potential to throw off your alighnment a bit.