My car has started making a loud rumbling noise when I drive it and a few people think it's a wheel bearing going bad. Will a diagnostics test at a auto place be able to tell me that for sure and which one it is?
Stpaulguy
Favorite Answer
Nope
?
No. However a skilled mechanic can generally give a good opinion after checking it. Often by raising wheel,rotating it and pushing it back and forth through different angles he or she can often ascertain if a bearing needs replacing.
Electronic measuring such as turn efficiency ,vibration needs to be carried out with brake pads removed for few moments at least.
When driving if bearing is going bad we tend to get groaning or whining noises. If excess heat is noted ..? And hard snapping or crackling at low speeds? This would tend to indicate bearings actually breaking up. Normally accompanied by very noticeable play in wheel bearing. Here risk of bearing seizure etc become real.
Mo
Well I would recommend that you take your vehicle to =your local garage, such as Kwik Fit they will be able to sort out the wheel bearing or if not that they will be able to jack the vehicle up and see what the problem is. A diagnostic kit can only see electrical faults or problems within the car "brain" where everything is running of, not wheel bearings or small stuff like that.
JetDoc
NO! Diagnostic tests only test electronic systems on your car. A wheel bearing is NOT an electronic component, but there ARE relatively simple tests that CAN be done to determine if a wheel bearing is bad.
I'd take the car to a shop that does tires and brakes.
Country Boy
The dealer of your car can. The non-mechanics have no such equipment to analyze worn wheel bearings.
Your second answer is dead wrong. His answer will detect worn tie-rod ends but not wheel bearings.
The brake caliper must be removed first. With the wheel off the ground place your hands at the 12 and 6 position on the tire and see if there is any in or out play in the wheel bearing.