Set the gear lever to neutral if you have an automatic transmission, or take the manual transmission out of gear. Listen for any unusual noise and detect any roughness as it rotates, which may indicate that the bearing is damaged and needs to be replaced. A damaged or faulty bearing will most likely emit signals before a total failure occurs, and those signals include sounds, vibrations, or a feeling of loose steering. If you suspect that there is a problem with the wheel bearing, you should immediately inspect and repair it.
Raise the vehicle and check the bearings by holding the tire in the twelve and six positions and then balancing the steering wheel forward and backward. Excessive movement indicates that the wheel bearing is worn out. Then move the tire back and forth in the three and nine o'clock positions to check if they are loose in the steering rack, suspension components, and linkage. Finally, ask an assistant to turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is on the ground.
Check if the sealed joints on the steering rod are loose or worn. These bearings are packed with grease or lubricant and sealed to protect them from contaminants and ensure a longer lifespan. Water, mud, or chemicals and salts that thaw can also penetrate the wheel hub joints and cause the wheel bearing to wear out over time. A wheel bearing is an important component of a car's suspension, steering and braking systems because it supports the vehicle's weight on the wheel and allows the wheel to turn with little friction.
The bearing is inside the wheel hub and can sometimes be replaced independently by removing the old bearing and introducing a new one. It is to be expected that the brake system will cause slight slippage, but any creaking or squeaking produced by the wheel hub area must be further investigated and repaired. Luckily, diagnosing a faulty bearing is relatively easy, and you can usually determine if there are any problems by listening to the wheels and evaluating any changes in the vehicle's handling. As you can see, the cost of replacing a bearing depends largely on the vehicle and the time it takes to repair it.
