Signs of a Bad Wheel Bearing?

It has been doing it for a while, but I am just now getting around to trying to fix it.... I am assuming my 2010 4x4 needs a wheel bearing in the front drivers side.

Symptoms include a steady ‘roar’ as I drive, and if I turn sharply to the right, the noise goes away... I am assuming wheel bearing.. just wanted to see what you guys thought before I bought the part.. I am just going to get the entire hub assembly to make it easier. Thanks in advance

 

Yup, wheel bearing. But I've also seen cupped tires do the same thing. Tires in good condition?

 

Yep, experience the same symptoms after a tire rotation as well.

I had assumed it was not the tie rod, but was concerned because I had noticed the tie rod boot had a crack in it.

However the constant roar sound made me think it was the bearing. Guess I will tackle the tie rod boot next, hopefully can replace the boot, not the whole rod

 

You should be able to replace to boots no issue. I ordered Beck Arnley as spares for my truck, but have not had to use them yet so cannot confirm fitment

 

Thats what I was thinking, I assume the tie rod is still in good condition, just has a leaky boot.

From what I have researched, the hub assembly installation isn’t too difficult.

Going to pick up the hub today at Advance auto. $170 w/ 3 year warranty. Not the best hub on the market but not a bad warranty. I will be pleased if the hub lasts another 240,000 miles like the OE did, haha

 

Boots on the steering rack aren't there to contain any liquids, just protect that joint from road debris and whatnot. If you have a wet boot it's because your steering rack is on it's way out and there are bad seals at the tie rod.

 

It seemed like the boot had some grease on the outside of it, will have to double check. I will change it out too if needed. Would both inner and outer rods need to be replaced ?

Cv axles were replaced at about 150,000 and they still are in good shape

 

Or did you mean the entire rack, which would be unfortunate.. any other symptoms that it would need to be replaced ?

 

Unfortunately the entire rack. You can limp it along by keeping the power steering reservoir topped off or maybe try one of those "stop leak" products you pour into the power steering system. There are kits to rebuild them but it's more of a hassle than it's worth. A new OEM rack is about $550 or you can go aftermarket for around $300.

 

My ds front wheel bearing recently went out. My tires were roaring just like you mention and replacing the bearing didn't fix it. Tires were just worn and badly cupped. Had about 4/32 tread depth left. They were loud. New tires and she's quiet as a mouse.

Only symptoms I had from the bad wheel bearing was the hub not feeling/sounding smooth when I jacked it up and spun the wheel. Like there was resistance. Also had a vibe and slight noise I could kinda feel in the pedals when coming to a complete stop.

 

I have never had to add any steering fluid to the reservoir, and the level is full, so hopefully it is not too bad of an issue.. I first noticed it a while back.. I may clean the boot up really well and see how quickly the grease reappears.

 

Whiteknight— My tires (yokohama AT’s) do have some wear on them, but something tells me it is the bearing.

I guess a cup in the wheel is not visible? I have the tire shop rotate my tires ever 5 thousand miles or so. The sound stays the same.

I am going to jack up the truck today and spin the wheel like you said to see if I hear anything

 

Jack it up and test the 12-6 play in the wheel. If there’s play most likely wheel bearing. Check your ball joints with a crow bar too if there’s play here. Check 3-9 for tie rod play but there are some amounts of normal steering movements. Can also check these with a crow bar for excessive play. As others mentioned the spin and listen trick will work but could be be more difficult to pinpoint.

 

Hear of lots of 2nd gen wheel bearing on this forum that pass the 12-6 test, but are still bad / noisy

 

As in 12-6 & 3-9 play, you mean grabbing ahold of the wheel and checking for play in the wheel, right?

 

Sr-71 — yeah man the roaring that I am hearing sounds like a bearing to me, but with that being said I have never replaced one. From what you guys have said about my symptoms, it is either the tire or the bearing right?

 

yeah that’s right

I would keep in mind what @SR-71A said though because I have had bearings that didn’t have much play. Play is generally when they’re getting pretty bad I think the roar is preliminary or predominant.