If there is a loud humming noise from beneath the car and have been told this is a wheel bearing problem how do you find out which wheel bearing needs changing and how easy is it to do yourself?

Answer 1

The only way to know for sure is to remove the wheel bearing and carefully inspect the bearing and rac. A humming noise does not sound like a wheel bearing. This sounds more like tire noise. Inspect your tires first. If you are unfamiliar with how to remove, inspect, repack or replace wheel bearing and/or race, purchase for around $12, a repair manual for your car at most auto parts sores.

AnswerIt isn't the wheel bearing at all. If this is happening to you on hard left turns and it is a humming/ breaky-poundy sound (like metal on metal) it is your exhaust. There is a rubber mount for the exhaust to hook onto behind the axel and if it has come undone it will make this sound. The sound also happens with it on sometimes also, its just the exhaust hitting off of the firewall. Try taking it to a muffler specialist and getting it attacted premanently so it can not move. AnswerI bought after market frt wheel brgs for $41 Cdn each side. SPECIAL TOOLS NEEDED: 30mm 12 pt socket 7mm hex Allen key 13mm socket for lower ball joint bolts 18mm socket & wrench for lower strut mount Remove wheels, brake caliper, rotor, splash shield, x3 ball joint bolts. Remove bolt for strut mount. Pull assembly away from CV axle, tap out steering knuckle from strut assy. USE CAUTION WHEN PRESSING BRGS...take to VW dealer for 1 hr labour charge. Make sure you torque axle nuts. AnswerBad tires are noisy, but stay noisy when slightly swerving. A wheel bearing will get quieter when you swerve slightly. A bad left wheel bearing will get quiet when you swerve to the right, & the weight is on that bearing visa-versa for the right side. It may also get quieter on the highway. A bad tire(broken belt) will be noisy, 'till you change the tire. With the car on the ground you can grab the suspected wheel at the top & rock the tire back & forth. A bearing that is bad will feel like the wheel isn't quite bolted on right, a little 'clunking' as you pull back/forth...your VW is going to last, so get a good replacement, quality bearing. Cheap bearings are for someone selling the car, who doesn't care that it will be bad again in 50K. AnswerOMG: good luck with such advice. Case: 1995 Saturn: symptom: humming from front left. Driving Test: Changes pitch and gets louder when forced turns load the wheel...less volume when straight or turning opposite way at speed (45mph or higher speed). On the Lift Test#1 : trans in neutral. with secured wheel and in absence of loose tie rod ends or ball joints, grab wheel and feel for any play. Some will be noted if wheel bearing is worn. It may be only miniscule with this static test. On the Lift Test#2: put your hand on the coil spring and spin the wheel. You will definitely feel vibration in the spring.

Tires are easy to check. Just swap tires or put on a spare on the suspected offending axle. Troubleshootin: logical process of elimination without untested assumptions.

Answer by PayDayBill

Don't just replace the bearing itself. You need to press out the bearing races and replace those as well or you will risk damaging your new bearings. There is an outer bearing as well as an inner bearing - Replace both. It is a good idea that if you replace one side of the axle, you should also do the other side.

A wheel bearing hum is quite distinctive. The rumbling sound will increase in pitch as you increase speed and will decrease as you decelerate. To determine if it is bearing noise or engine noise that you are hearing, while at Highway speed take your foot off the accelerator and carefully shift the transmission into neutral. As the engine idles down, the bearing rumble will not change in pitch and will be consistent with the speed that you are running.