How to Check Car Bearings

If your car has disc brakes, you will have to remove its caliper and get access to the car bearings. Although it is quite simple to do, it may prove to be a challenge for beginners. If you fail to re-assemble it properly, it might prove to be fatal for you and your family. So, make sure to do that under supervision only, especially if you are doing it for the first time. For added safety, always ensure all necessary tools are on hand, and refer to your vehicle's manual for specific instructions related to your car model. This will help prevent any mistakes during reassembly.

Always check your car bearings every time you check your car’s brakes. This will ensure that grease has not fouled or if it needs a refill. If it has fouled, the particles tend to act coarsely and wear away the connection that the bearings are intended to protect. This usually results in a loud noise while driving. In some but rare cases, the wheel may even come out loose. If your car bearings look saturated with grease and other particles, you need to get them repacked as soon as possible. It's also a good idea to inspect the condition of the drum itself for any signs of wear or damage, which could affect the bearings.

A professional mechanic will remove your car’s wheels to check your car bearings. But if you want to check them yourself, you can do so without removing them too. Follow this step by step procedure:

• Jack up your car and support it with jack stands
• You may go under the car, but if that’s difficult for you, you can grasp one wheel at the bottom and top, and try to move it in a rocking motion.
• The wheel should hardly move. If it plays freely, it may indicate that the car bearings have worn out and they need replacement or at least adjustment.
• If your car has an automatic transmission system, put your gearshift on neutral, and if it has a manual transmission, take it out of gear.
• Now try to rotate a wheel.
• If you can hear any strange noise, or if the wheel feels rough when you try to rotate it, it may indicate a damaged bearing that needs replacement.
• Make sure to shift the gear to park or gear before you lower down the car.

Additionally, while performing this check, it's important to observe any unusual vibrations or resistance when you spin the wheel. These can be subtle indicators of bearing issues. Regular maintenance and checks of your car’s bearings can prolong their life and ensure your safety on the road.

Bad car bearings can significantly affect your car’s fuel mileage, ride quality and performance. So, make sure to get them repaired, adjusted or replaced as soon as you identify the problem. It should be noted that ignoring these warning signs can lead to more severe damage not only to the bearings themselves but also to other parts of the vehicle, potentially leading to costly repairs. Addressing these issues promptly can help maintain the vehicle's integrity and your safety.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Check Car Bearings, we recommend you visit our Car Maintenance and Repair category.