cerwin

Is there anyway to check front wheel bearings to see if they are still good or not??
I have the front two on my car that I am pretty sure are bad (has a good hum coming from the front) and I already replaced the CV joints.
I don't know if I should splurge the $100-$150 for a set of brand new ones I can get a part car set for $25 on a 165k car. I really don't want to buy the used set spend the time on and off and still be pissed.
Anyone know of a way to check by play, or anything???

MatterMatt

Raise the front end off the ground and grab the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock. With a short, firm movement push at 12 while pulling at six. It should be solid. If not, check the upper and lower balljoints for movement inside the joint. If they are solid but the wheel moves the bearing is bad. Do the some thing but with your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock. If the wheel moves (other than the movement it would have if the wheel were turning) check to see if the tie rod end has movement inside the joint. If it does, the tie rod is bad.

With that method you can check wheel bearinds, balljoints, and tie rods all with one test.

Also for lower ball joints. Raise the car up high enough so that you push up on the bottom of the tire. Do that while watching the lower balljoint. If you see movement inside the joint it is bad.

cerwin

Also a good hum from the front should be more than likely be the bearing right??

MatterMatt

Absolutely! A hhhuuummmmmm or a RRRRRAAAAAAA or an EEEEERRRRRRRRRRR or an UUUUUHHHHHHHH. It would be a good idea to ride with a buddy to make sure you get the right side because sometimes it is hard to tell from the driver seat. Spend the money on new ones, it will save time and headache in the long run.

phootbag

A failing passenger side wheel bearing will make the mose noise when turning left. The opposite is true for the drivers wheel bearing. They usually make the most noise when failing if you drive at about 40-50mph.

cerwin

Thank for all the info guys I broke down and bought the new ones for the front and BAMM "what do ya know" problem solved.