Wheel Bearing Question.

[Rubent70]

First off I've searched the forums and have found some similar problems that identify the bearing as the issue. I'm just looking for a little further help with my problem. Here it goes, just recently as the weather has gotten cooler, my front passenger wheel has been making a noise. I pulled the wheel off to take a look and everything seems to be ok. Rotors are new with less than 2000 miles as well as the pads. With the vehicle jacked up and spinning the wheel, it spins freely with no noise. When driving normally, there is no noise under acceleration; only when holding a steady speed, coasting, or slowing does the noise present itself. Now i would imagine that a bad bearing would have a metallic grinding noise, which is not my problem, the noise i have sounds like rubber rubbing, and is not constant; you can hear that it is a small patch per revolution. Any ideas on what this could be, would be greatly appreciated as this is my daily and is starting to annoy the crap out of me. Thanks.

 

[Doubleot]

Jack it back up leave the wheels on grab the wheel at 12 & 6 and wiggle it. If you have play, your wheel bearing is going.

 

[Wanagofast]

One easy way to check if your bearings are bad/going bad is if you can rock the rotor while the wheels off. You don' want any movement in those areas. Some possible things that could rub could be the axial boots or maybe the brake shield.
Hope this helps.

 

[Rubent70]

One easy way to check if your bearings are bad/going bad is if you can rock the rotor while the wheels off. You don' want any movement in those areas. Some possible things that could rub could be the axial boots or maybe the brake shield.
Hope this helps.

I thought it may be the shield and bent it back slightly, didnt help. Now i can move the rotor very easy, in and out, on the side that does not have the caliper, i thought this was normal?

Jack it back up leave the wheels on grab the wheel at 12 & 6 and wiggle it. If you have play, your wheel bearing is going.

Thanks, thats what i plan on checking tonight after the gym.

 

[lucas483]

take a look at your fender splash shield while you at it, see if the wheel is not rubbing on it

 

[Rubent70]

take a look at your fender splash shield while you at it, see if the wheel is not rubbing on it

That was actually the first thing i checked and it doesnt seem to be the issue. Its secured tightly to the bumper with all the clips and is not loose in any places.
Thanks for the input thou.

 

[Wanagofast]

It shouldn't move freely at all. Is everything tight? I would replace the wheel bearings if it's moving that much.

 

[bryanwheat]

It shouldn't move freely at all. Is everything tight? I would replace the wheel bearings if it's moving that much.

Take into consideration that most cars have non oem rotors that aren't screwed to the hub any more. Most don't even have the holes to screws that hold them to the hub. The rotor will be loose with the tire off because of this. This is why you check a loose wheel bearing with the tire bolted on and lugs tight. You also have more leverage with the tire on than by just grabbing the rotor on one side, because you can't grab it on both sides due to the dust shield.

 

[Rubent70]

Problem solved!!!
I decided to replace both front wheel bearings due to the mileage on the car, just shy of 200k, and the issue is gone. Both bearings were pretty worn especially the passenger side.
Thanks for all the help and support, i really appreciate it!