Front end whirring noise caused by a worn wheel bearing. And a trick to verify which bearing is bad

If you have a 'whirring' or 'humming' noise coming from the front of your vehicle, you may have a worn wheel bearing. This video shows how to verify the problem - even if the bearing hasn't worn to the point that there is movement in the wheel
How to use a ratchet and socket set:
• How to use a ratchet a...

[@TM-ee7gm]

This method works great. I was thinking it was the drivers side bearing but this test showed the passenger side was the bad one. Replaced the passenger side and it fixed the problem.

[@backyardmech]

It is a great way to verify which side TM . thanks for commenting !

[@drtidrow]

I'd replace both of them, thinking that if one has gone bad, the other one has the same mileage (usually) and is likely to go bad soon as well.

[@polla2256]

@Real World Warrior lowen if it's premature failure then yes but for wearable components subject to friction, heat, solar effect, rotation and rubbing always change in pairs.

[@steveo782812]

See that fascinates me. My wife’s 2009 Altima only does this above 40 mph which makes me think wheel bearing but I put it on jacks and put it into drive hoping to find out which wheel. It doesn’t make the noise because the transmission won’t shift so it doesn’t get above 20 mph so I can’t hear it. I guess I will try your technique as I don’t want to throw parts at it when it might be the transmission at high gears only. But that sound sure sounds like videos of wheel bearings. Thanks for making the video. I did get lucky on mine. It was the drivers side wheel. I still was confident which wheel it was, but the noise did seem like driver's side, and you could feel it in the floorboard.

[@mattayala3753]

Should’ve replaced both then lol

[@RKG64]

Perfect! Been fighting a vibration issue in my 07 Titan for over a year. No help from anyone. Found your video, did your test, replaced driver side bearing- perfectly smooth ride. Thanks for posting and for your expertise.

[@Kuntr3K3d]

Did you have a bounce feeling as well?

[@RKG64]

@@Kuntr3K3d not really a bounce, just a vibration when 50 mph or higher

[@free-energy-systems]

Am glad I came across your video. My front end howls and will vibrate over 65 mph. It's a relief knowing it's an easy fix. I've worked on cars for years but not recently :)

[@GeorgeBunduTuna]

Funny how many of us know the sound but couldn't figure what it was and just been looking everywhere for a fix. Thanks for this video!!!

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

Thanks for excellent, practical tip. I had my neighbor's front wheels on an SUV jacked up separately last night, and did the horizontal and vertical shake tests on each side, but no luck. Now I'll know to lightly feel the spring coils while spinning the tires. The dealer had replaced the right front wheel bearing earlier yesterday, but not the left one, and the bearing noise was still present, as was a very rough feeling through the steering wheel as you were approaching a full stop. The vehicle is a well-maintained approx. 2007 Toyota Sequioa 2WD with 262,000+ miles and, until yesterday, had the original front wheel bearings and brake rotors. Along with the one wheel bearing, both rotors were also replaced yesterday with new OEM ones and new pads, before I drove it. This was a great and timely tip for solving a sometimes perplexing problem.

[@namiphotography]

Thank you for this very straightforward video! After months I finally feel I've correctly identified the same humming sound in my mom's 08 Civic, ordering bearings and fixing this weekend.

[@liamramos1750]

Did your steering wheel vibrate too?

[@Kevinmassinburg97]

@@liamramos1750 what if your sterring wheel doesn’t vibrate , I hear a slight whirl sound but it doesn’t whobbly or vibrate

[@dwbertrand]

This trick was amazingly simple and it worked! We did have to turn off our radio as the spring vibrated with the bass of the music. I was shocked how sensitive that spring was. Thanks for this great video.

[@R2sojr09]

Damn I’ve been searching a week for this same sound. Yes yes yes!!!

[@slickchims8736]

Had some work done by ya, and all I can say is thanks for the hard work, the effort, and the honesty. 10/10 would recommend.

[@Funsho97]

That whirring noise is exactly what I am experiencing with a car of mine. I am going to use your method of diagnosing which side has worn out. Thank you so much for posting this video, very helpful for sure.

[@sallyperkins404]

Thank you so much for this excellent video! My car is making that exact same noise when I drive so now I know it’s the wheel bearing thanks to you I won’t get screwed over by the car repair shop!

[@ThatSlowSaturn]

I have a 2004 Saturn Ion QC, and as I was driving home today I began hearing that identical noise. When I got home, I got out and began to check each wheel to make sure they were torqued down correctly. However, when I got the front passenger wheel, it was hot to the touch. I thought about it, and I did recall hearing the noise on the PASSENGER side of the vehicle while driving. I went inside and looked it up, this was the first video. Thank you so much.

[@jqpublic3104]

You legend, if it wasn't for your audio evidence of the noise I would still be thinking it was a drive train issue.

[@ironeagle1281]

Great video, and excellent tip to feel the spring for vibration. I had a bearing that had no play and made very little noise when the wheel was spun and this helped me to find the problem. Thank you !

[@dukenukembubblegum7311]

Thanks for the video, I just bought this same car for cheap, and was just thinking it was a wheel bearing, but after getting it home and off the ground there was NO movement in the bearing. I started thinking it was something worse, but just hearing the sound on the highway in your video I know that’s what it is!

[@musketbal]

The only video that answered my question. I thought it could have been my transmission. Greatly appreciated.

[@CantWant]

same man i started to panic but this dude chilled me lol

[@gumptious4763]

Thanks from Northern Ireland. Stumbled upon your video and this nails it! exact same noise and goes away with slight turn left , louder when straight and turning right. i jacked it up and there was some give on passenger side wheel (american drivers side ). getting fixed this week. ordered a bearing hub from ebay for £30

[@smokeyveras7235]

Thankfully. You’re the first person to actually not just describe the sound and get to working. You also showed the sound. I subscribed. Like videos like this.

[@francesdoyle2352]

I have an 02 Impala and the noise is exactly like the video. I replaced the front tires (they needed it anyway) but the noise is still there. Great video! Thank you!

[@Buddhawrath]

FINALLY! I have been scouring youtube trying to find the same noise in my front end with zero luck... thank you sir 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@wongqtr]

Great Job... I have been suffering from the same noise for almost 3 months,the noise was really like a jet engine. Vibration and noise come whenever driving straight or turning right,everything smooth when turn left, Finally all fixed after replacing front RIGHt wheel bearing. Thanks Alot..

[@JennellBarrett]

Mines the same thing but Where was your sound coming from? Mine sounds like it’s on the drivers side but now I’m second guessing since you said yours was the passenger side

[@grumpygrandy4604]

Exactly what we are hearing in our car. Off to get it sorted out today. Thank you for the video.

[@marmar2332]

Did you get that fixed ??

[@lynskyrd]

started noticing this about a month ago on my 2003 Volvo S60. I also had a small exhaust leak in my flex pipe so I wasn't sure where the noise was coming from. I put in a new flex pipe so I now know the noise is definitely coming from front end. I jacked up front end with both wheels off the ground- did the tire shake test- no movement. Plus I JUST got a state inspection done and the guy that did the inspection was very thorough. The car passed so now- I'm scratching my head; control arm bushings seem fine, ball joints and tie rods are tight. No vibration during braking and the pads have plenty of life left on them. Sway bar to strut assembly looks ok- the ONLY thing left is the wheel bearings- I'll definitely try the 'turn the wheel, touch the strut test' and see if I get something. Thanks for making this video... at least it's something to check.

[@marklewandowski4867]

Ive been mentioning that the sound is like a whirring sound to many people and no one understood that word. I knew thats what it resembles but no one could comprehend so I am so glad I found your vid. I will make the repairs and come back with results. Thanks bro!

[@K20marc]

Just checked this on my 1998 civic and it turned out to be the right side! Thank you 🙏 I had a ton of road noise and it sounded like someone was drafting wires on metal when I got up to 15+ mph

[@spartan1803]

Thank you for this video. Had this sound on my way into work this morning and though I had something rubbing my tire. Stopped several times but never saw anything. Just hoping this isnt an expensive repair!

[@leifhietala8074]

THIS was exactly what I've been looking for. My car is making this same noise, time to take it in. Rear bearings I could do, but the fronts look like more than I want to tackle.

[@jacoblewis4017]

This video is the best wheel bearing video I have ever seen. Perfect explanation

[@jasonmueller5541]

Really good straight forward video! My Pontiac G6 started humming after giving it a lot of gas to get out of some snow, and slowly got louder over the coarse of a year. The dumb garage wanted a 100$ an hour to trouble shoot... So I'm very happy your here! Thanks

[@jessem8760]

Thank you so much for this tip. I had no noise and no play. But I definitely felt the vibration. It made the diagnosis complete and got me back on the road. Keep these videos coming.

[@RealKansasMan]

I have a 2009 Pontiac G6 that has the same issue shown in this video. The bearing just started going out about a week ago and is gradually getting louder. Thanks for this video!

[@fredwagner7424]

I've changed many wheel bearings and bearing hubs in my days. I have recently been stumped by a friends a Pontiac G6. Drove in the car with him and could hear it clear as day. Even felt it in the floor board. He said he thought it was the drivers side front. Jacked the car up, no play either way in the wheel, spun it around a few times and no noise at all. Checked the other side and same thing. All good there too. Check both rear wheels and drivers side sounded a little ruff so we went with it. Finished the job, noise still there. Week later I told him lets give it another try. That was today. On his way over I thought I would just look a bit on youtube. Your key word on your subject title that caught my eye was the word "trick"! Jacked up both sides of front end, grabbed a hold of the strut spring and gave it a spin. Drivers side was a slight vibration. Passenger side, nothing. We went with it and bingo! Noise was gone. I even used a mechanics stethoscope and couldn't hear anything on that one. Just one of those "tricky" ones. Thanks for sharing that with the rest of us back yard mechanics! Peace!

[@LA_Commander]

I love your Canadian accent. Sounds very cool! Much love and respect from your friends from the southern border!

[@mtmonesf]

Thanks! Bought Moogs last time with life warranty. No slack but noises. Advance auto said the won’t replace unless they have slack? Going to try to take back anyway! No slack in my drive axels either 🙏. Great video! Up date... confirmed left front wheel bearing bad with no slack! Replaced under warranty and Smooth Sailing Now✌️😆

[@gerryblaylock8943]

Finally!!!! LIVES SAVED DUDE!!! and Im driving Grand Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4!!! Thank you for the quickness and end result silence!

[@slickchims8736]

I've discovered I have a bad wheel bearing after watching your vid so thank you for the info for me to diagnose. Thanks again

[@thomase.piggott7383]

I have a 2017 Honda CR-V it was making the noise you were showing us. All the normal test,I could not find the problem. Whe I saw your video,I jacked up crv with all wheels off ground and ran it . I found the right front had a tingling vibration on the coil spring on the right front. Replaced bearing ,all is well. Thank you.

[@RDarrylB]

Had not heard of this before. Trying to diagnose front end noise on granddaughter's 2011 Hyundai Sonata. Checked brake calipers and pins, which were good as I had replaced them a few months ago. No clicking that would indicate CV issues. Jacked it up, grabbed the spring, spun the wheel, and...no problem on driver's side but definitely something bad happening on the passenger's side. Thanks!

[@omrtnz5100]

Thanks for the tip, I will try this on my front wheels im hearing a whirring noise when driving, it get louder and higher pitched at higher speeds.

[@613Bello]

Same So its a wheel bearing?

[@jordynewolkowski9171]

I appreciate the explanation. I went to oktire and I asked them to check my wheel bearings. Same humming but stops when I turn right. They drove it checked and saw that my tie rod was messed. So they fixed that and the sound was still there. They call me saying that the tie rod caused the noise, but there was still humming and they think it was my transmissions. Didn’t check my wheel bearings and told me to go to a transmission shop. Extremely frustrating.

[@scrunchymacscruff1244]

thats why i started fixing my own stuff. i'm the only guy who cares about saving ME $$!!

[@victorquincanon4933]

Thank you! I just bought a car with that exact noise and you solved my question about this! I figured the sound may be coming from near the non-existant brake pads.. It was still a good buy though.

[@bastosreviewer5192]

Backyardmech I used to just try and wobble my tires to inspect wheel bearings only. Thanks to your video I can do an alternate test, but I'm 99.9% sure my brand new bearing was a defective one.

[@franciscoramirez9761]

Was it defective?

[@bastosreviewer5192]

@@franciscoramirez9761 yes it was. Luckily I had a spare set.

[@colinhoward9402]

Really useful video. I had already tried the wheel top to bottom and side to side trick but got nowhere so this confirmed my initial diagnosis. Very many thanks! Col

[@jerrie3789]

I am so glad I found this. Now maybe I can get my car back in shape! Thanks a million!!!

[@guydickes4885]

I 'knew' I had a bad wheel hub but was not positive. The droning noise was so bad my wife could hear it. The shake test at 9-3, 12-6 was tight, no noise when spinning by hand. Even spinning by hand and touching the coil spring did not do it. But carefully anchoring the car and putting it in drive and checking side to side, I could feel the rumble from the front right hub. I changed the hub and that horrible droning noise disappeared. Bought the right tools and saved a bundle. THANKS!!!

[@cncbuss1]

Very smart turning the wheel and feeling the spring for vibration like that. Thanks!

[@tsnaza250]

This is 110% legit! I noticed a "frequency", more than a vibration, with my '12 Civic. There was no play, whatsoever, anywhere!! I had my Dad on a drive one day (he's been an auto mechanic, as long as I've known him, and I'm 49) and he couldn't hear/feel, what I was. He told me that he didn't notice anything to be concerned about. I was starting to get annoyed because I was questioning if it had been like that all along! Then, the howling/frequency intensified and I went back to Google, and found this vid. Finally picked a day to jack up the front end and BAM, just like another viewer, thought it was the left, but turned out to be the right. The vibration in the spring was subtle, but it was definitely there. My Dad wasn't too excited to entertain fixing what he didn't think was broke. He never did the 'spin and touch the spring method' and he might think I'm off my rocker after telling him the issue WAS fixed/resolved AFTER we stuck a new bearing in, but I know what I know and a new bearing DID resolve the howling. Mechanics will want to see an indication as to what was wrong with the old bearing, as did he and I. My bearing was dry, if anything. No corrosion, no pitting. It might have made it 100, or a 1000 or more miles, but I didn't want to chance wearing it down further (or drier) and having it fail somewhere I might have to pay someone 4-5 times what it cost to do it initially. Big thanks for the informative vid!!!

[@backyardmech]

No problem ! And thanks for sharing that

[@patticook]

Your road test looks like its on hwy 402. This helped me diagnose the issue with mine, thanks!

[@robertdavis6542]

Never would've thought to check for vibration on the spring. I was at a loss when a checked the wheel for movement and it was tight.I thought for sure there would've been slop as loud as it is. Great tip!

[@drtidrow]

It is a great tip... if you can hear the noise inside the vehicle with the windows closed, then the noise is getting transmitted into the cabin somehow. :-)

[@DaveDayCAE]

Thanks for this. I've had that sound in my 2001 Century for 2 1/2 years but didn't know about feeling the vibration at the strut spring. I happen to be replacing the half shafts now, so I just ordered two hubs to included in the job.

[@jackheris687]

Awesome test of spinning the wheel and putting hand on struts to feel for vibration.

[@TheStevoth]

Very useful. It is important to hear the sound. I think my fiesta has a dodgy wheel bearing. It sounds almost like a flat tyre on the rear and gets louder as I speed up just like this. I have tried jacking the car and moving the whhels but all the wheels feel ok. The car is 19 years old so it could probably do with some new wheel bearings come to think of it! Thanks for the video (and audio).

[@87lancerguy]

Have the exact same thing going on with one of my bearings in my Focus. Replaced the driver side rear an hour ago. No more grinding noise or wheel wobble. Car handles/sounds so much much better from the rear. I still have the whirring noise though. Now that the grinding from the driver side is gone, it seems the passenger side is focked too lol.

[@backyardmech]

Thanks for commenting Steve !

[@robynhartman4975]

Thank you for your time. I took to a mechanic and he said he checked everything and it looked fine. Must have only done the shake the wheel test! Now I can go this fixed.

[@kennethprovost219]

I thought the same thing about my bearing. Shook it etc. Tried your method and BINGO yep. Both the same sound on the road like you confirmed. Excellent reassuring thing you did with this video. :-)

[@rcman6895]

Thank you for the video I am pretty good when it comes down to cars but not perfect all my years of working on vehicles I've worked on trucks and buses they are a little bit different than cars but I'm learning little things about cars as time goes on KZbin has taught me alot thank you for your video

[@je9700]

The vib on the spring tip is awesome!!

[@edmundmaher4632]

Brilliant video my A4 sounds the same. Jacked up both front wheels at the weekend as I suspected wheel bearings. No side play so assumed bearings OK. Going to try your rotation , vibration method this weekend 👌

[@mihai-bogdanmagdalina8492]

did it worked? did you feel any vibration in the springs? or the fault was not the bearing ?

[@timberwrightsvs480]

First, I really appreciate your efforts to produce such a meaningful repair tip video. In our case, I ran our '19 Subaru Outback off of a banked mountain curve during the winter and ended up in a mountain snow bank. Long story short, after replacing all four wheels and tires, we now have a whirring sound that seems to be emanating from the driver's side front: which is only audible when steering to the right (left-front wheel loaded). I will definitely use your isolation test before doing any repairs, but I was wondering if you need to employ any specialized tools for replacing a bearing on a vehicle like ours? I see that the title of this video doesn't say anything about Subaru, but I found it by searching under "Subaru Wheel Bearing"; hence, the question. Thank you very much for your time.

[@RustyShakleford1]

I saw a comment I thought I sounded like bs but this video makes perfect sense thanks so much

[@VWDAWGXP]

You look like baraka from Mortal Kombat

[@Spain199]

Gamer Gunk 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@rodp8183]

Hehe.....he does

[@scumbag_sean]

Uncanny!

[@1Challino]

Hahahahahahah spitting image

[@kingjames9564]

Lmao

[@Ballistic180]

Very helpful. My 04 malibu has been doing this. It's so annoying. Time to go to the shop. Thank you for the vid!

[@alvarobriceno4500]

Recently got this sound going… I will check which side with this trick now! Thank you

[@ThunderAppeal]

Glad I found this video, helped me figure out which bearing was worn ewt. Now I understand what its all abewt.

[@williamsharpe927]

ThunderAppeal lmao that’s great

[@ronnieshockley8924]

Good Video. Some people would have no clue, and now can save alot of $$ doing it themself after diagnosing.

[@vortex900]

Spot on advice thanks. Had bad noise but no play in wheel. Felt the vibration in the spring.

[@-MrRichBiker1967]

Best way to produce a video is before and after Great job a lot of people don't do that there's no conclusion when you don't do that very good job

[@backyardmech]

Thanks Biker - glad you liked the vid !

[@chupszzchupszzy]

Thx man. This is the exact problem i faced on mt vehicle. This really narrowed down my doubts to the exact point.

[@clifftaylor3295]

This is terrific. I love little tricks like this. Thank you!

[@honda8144]

Just bought a Mazda 3 with this sound and now I'm happy knowing what the problem is

[@bobjones263]

My blazer isn't quite that loud but started about a week ago. He said may as well replace both bearings. Good info thanks:-)

[@LastCommodore]

What a difference in sound after replacing the bearing.

[@slickchims8736]

Yes, this is worth it, my man does this for a living

[@joeking6200]

THIS GUY IS GENIUS!!! I changed the wrong bearing based on the BS test where a loaded bearing gets noiser. The test to rotate the wheel and feel the spring is ACE!!! B I G T H A N K S

[@catherinemoses8340]

Thank you so much for this! I'm always worried about taking my car in and just saying it's making a weird noise. Hopefully I can use this to point my guys in the right direction.

[@serlokbrixe425]

My car has been making this noise since I got it, and I always enjoyed it. I didn't know that it was a wheel bearing problem.

[@Jesuschristitsjasonbourne3]

Serlok Brixe ur an idiot

[@mikekendrick7901]

dumbass. you don't need to drive a car. you sound like a fucking women

[@lifestyleofshonda]

Omg 😂😂😂

[@samueldiaz7105]

The idea of putting your hands on springs is best way to detect bearings vibration, on my opinion .

[@hookerallison1]

This video is "EXHILARATING"!!!!!! Subscribed!!!!

[@CrotchetRocket]

Thanks for the great tip and helping us “ouuut,” and DAMN this dude’s got some GUNS 💪🏼

[@MaKaElectric]

Never knew to check the spring for vibration, yep, its on the passenger side! :) Thank you so much for the tip!

[@moises1228]

Awesome video! Now ik its for sure my wheel bearing cuz its making the exact same noise

[@CastIronGinger]

thanks man it literally is the same exact sound coming from my car! lol. going to get this sucker checked out thanks again!!!

[@CastIronGinger]

Yeah I had to get a wheel bearing replacement and I think my CV joint and belt, too!

[@xFinalxArenox]

@@CastIronGinger how much did it cost you?

[@Usmm2u]

Thanks Bro, You only confirmed my issue and will be corrected after the rain is over.

[@miketaylor6700]

Thank you for this video! That is the exact sound mine is making... but mine is intermittent. I can go a week or so with nothing, and then bam... there it is. Usually starts at 55 to 60 mph... the sound changes with my speed as I slow down and after a ‘clunk’ at 25mph... it stops. So weird. I’m going to have it looked at.

[@mden98]

Great tip on determining which bearing is bad. I was able to narrow it down to my RF bearing. Thanks and keep up the great videos.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Excellent demo! Thanks for all these suggestions

[@koolboy83]

I’ve been looking for a video with this noise. That’s exactly what I have and it does stop after driving a few miles specially on the highway. A mechanic heard the noise and told me to replace the drive shaft 1000$ a new one.

[@samuelcastillo2140]

u just save my life bro thanks alot i had that problem with my cadillac cts4 and couldn't tell what it was till i found ur video and 150 dollars wheel hub fix it

[@keisham]

Hey!!! this is the exact problem I am facing with my car. No noise during idling but the noise increases as soon as i drive above 50 kmph. some days before getting this noise , my steering wheel vibrated little while driving. thanks for this video .

[@keisham]

@cali budz replaced the rear right bearing . costed 290 Euro including part cost.

[@gottig5750]

Appreciate you my car started to make this exact noise last night I was so confused thought it was gonna be something serious now I know what I need done

[@traverspixelman9801]

Thanks! Mine suddenly started doing this and I’m like sheeeeit. Thank you so much!

[@johnbass6297]

am assuming the same method is applicable for the rear tires?

[@99sflores]

I knew about the side to side check but that is great advise on the vibration on the strut coil spring. Thank you.

[@qdavis1401]

Baraka? ....from mortal Kombat? You his son? Thanks for the auto tip😶👍

[@foodandfuntraveler5859]

Thanks this video helped me diagnose my car noise.

[@chiefexecutive]

This is exactly what my truck is doing ! It was hard to find

[@chiefexecutive]

Mine actually turned out to the damn light bar

[@MrSupernova111]

Wow, that noise sounded like an airplane rotor. Nice job!

[@slickchims8736]

Very much enjoyed this video, thanks for the info and the help i needed

[@TEXAS.N8V]

Thank you so much! Now I know what the noise is on our Jeep!!

[@richie77tc]

brilliant video, this simple test worked a treat, off to the garage to get it sorted, thanks.

[@jonbadboy112]

Yup that's the sound I hear. Thanks!!