How to Diagnose Wheel Bearing or CV Joint Vibration Humming Noise

[@stevetribou941]

Just a comment on this issue. Wheel bearing, old school diagnosis, remove wheel sensor and squirt in som gear oil (75-90) if the noise goes away you should go get a new wheel bearing! To add to this these newer factory sealed an lubed hubs are inadequately lubed which leads to premature drying of the lube/grease. Again same treatment of adding dose of gear oil early on when servicing/ grease ad lube/. Will increase longevity of your wheel bearing by preventing the drying out. Bearing will rarely wear out if adequate lube is present. I think under lube is part of planned obsolescence!

[@teenice894]

Near impossible to remove a speed sensor without destroying it up north where we get brutal winters and salted roads

[@tcmits3699]

Great advice, actually did this on my '98 Dakota front hubs- rear only abs. Purchased all wheel abs hubs for front and cut off wire. Just needed that access port. Did press in grease , but will try gear oil. Thanks again 👍

[@huanweili7699]

15 years working on cars in the automotive industry, I have never seen a wheel hub bearings just fall off by itself without any fighting. 😅😅

[@Missy-eo2ik]

Hope your right😮

[@operationNOBO]

Great information. A sidenote for any Ram owners...if your abs sensor light comes and you replace the sensor...it may work for a day or a few weeks. But ultimately it likely means your wheel bearing is bad. Dont be like me haha thing was seized on and took 45 minutes to hammer off.

[@CanYouSaveYourself]

This comment saved me a lot of time and effort.

[@86FxBdyCpe]

That's what I current have, ABS light and noisy LF. Txs.

[@k.a.c613]

Man I watched so many videos. I knew you'd be the dude with the only one that made sense. My man. Shoulda looked here first.

[@chrisb2388]

This is exactly to the tee, the sound my bearing is making as well on my 14' ram 1500 4x4. My wheels also would spin almost identical to how yours would. Maybe 2 or 3 rotations and that's it. Thanks for posting this great video bro. Much appreciated!

[@louindorato6855]

That wheel bearing can off surprisingly easy. You’re lucky. Keep up the great videos

[@hectorabundis3830]

Thank you finally a video that shows me the same noise my car makes when accelerating.

[@kokkolino1196]

My good friend I would also like to add my experience with bad front bearings . While my 1500 was even under warranty there was a vibration on the steering wheel even on a straight line no matter the speed . The vibration was noticeable between 1500-2200 rpm. Long story short after numerous back and forth with few dealerships and misdiagnosis even came to the point that the dealership told me “ what you expect your truck is not new “ that was at 50.000km , one dealership decided to actually look in too it and they replaced the front bearings. Problem went away on the spot! Just like to share with you as there might be another reason too.

[@041185]

I have a scrapping sound like this bearing on my 4runner... The symptoms that i feel are Vibrations, it vibrates even if i pass on a tiny rock. The steering feels like falling off sometimes. Sometimes feels like woobling and the bearing has no play. The gas pedal sometimes i feel the vibration 2. And truck pulls. To one side. Wheel bearing and the transmission mount the only 2 things left to be changed, all suspension is new.

[@LLCoolPass]

@@041185 you already replaced the CV joint?

[@chorizojuice]

That’s exactly what mine sounds on my nissan titan and also no wobble. Thanks for the vid

[@twintibbsdiesel93]

I always replace both so that I don't have to take it off twice. My wife's 2012 Ram 4x4 eats hub bearings and cvaxles because she drives it like she stole it LMAO

[@Ray-Willey]

I have a 2012 big horn. What's the noise that she hears when it goes?

[@Ray-Willey]

I have a issue that came up last night I'm trying to figure out.

[@jayaguilar9775]

@@Ray-Willey same problem mine makes a clunk sound while turning but idk if it's the actual wheel hub yet

[@Ray-Willey]

@@jayaguilar9775 I have changed both now and problem solved!

[@HomeGrownPyro1]

My 2012 eats through hub bearings as well… also water pumps. Other then that it’s been the best truck I’ve owned yet, currently at 215k

[@nealmeeker1502]

Just replaced the passenger front sounded like I had mud tires on mine thanks for the great videos sir

[@Cincymike1]

Did it fix the problem. Im having the same issue and wondering if it's this or differential

[@UnknownIdaho]

This kind of thing would be prevented if the manufacturer just installed a zerk fitting and a bearing that allowed servicing. These types of bearings will generally last a lifetime if good quality steel and setup to maintain…

[@williamwhite9767]

My 2002 F150 4x4 was making a bearing noise and when the front left was loaded by turning right it got louder. The front left bearing hub replacement fixed it. About 10k miles later there was another bearing noise and it got louder when turning right exactly like before. I thought the new hub had failed but it turned out to be the front bearing hub on the right. Loading it by turning left made less noise and turning right made more noise the opposite of what you would expect. I guess it was a different bearing inside the hub that was failing. Replacing the right bearing hub fixed it. This had me confused for a while before I figured it out.

[@BoostedMotorsports]

Glad you figured it out!

[@91rus]

Thank you My Thoughts were sounded like the abs sensor Broke of a piece into the Bearing started Making that noise that sound is when thin metal is rubbing on solid Surfaces makes that ticking sounds

[@viking90706]

AWESOME, had the same sound and I believe I'll check it tomorrow, based on watching this.

[@simonbone]

Great stuff. I've got a 2012 Nissan Qashqai (similar to a Rogue) with 185,000 km on it. Last year the front wheel bearing went out with the classic droning sound. Easy to figure out. But the rear ones are now bad, too - making this very same clicking sound as in this video, but it's not easy to hear when driving. It's more like a tok-tok-tok with every rotation of the wheel, and then only audible driving slowly after the car has been going for a few minutes. I guess they are in the early stage of disintegration - i didn't notice anything when putting the summer tires on a few weeks ago. Thanks for the confirmation.

[@blusky7072]

Before FWD vehicles 1960s 70s vehicles were easy to repack the wheel bearings as they were not sealed to keep dust and water out. They were easy to replace also.

[@brarautorepairs]

I believe the heavy-duty trucks have bearing you can service. Even FWD honda you could remove the hub with a slide hammer put a new bearing and press in a new bearing with a tool. With how cheap complete hubs come now, it isn't worth the hassle to service the bearings. You replace the entire thing and throw it away. The advantage is that you get new wheel studs and don't need to worry about over-torquing the hub nut and having the wheel fly off on the highway.

[@jakskelington666]

You saved me bro! I currently dealing with that same freaking sound - sounds like pebbles bouncing all over the place . I thought it was my diff going out. Going to take the wheel and brakes off soon to check it. Thanks for this!

[@dustiwolfe4335]

I’m with you on this I have been busting my brain trying to find what was causing this sound. Was getting ready to replace whole front end.

[@jakskelington666]

@@dustiwolfe4335 btw it indeed ended up being the wheel bearing 👍

[@firebrand07]

Good vid! My 2010 suddenly sounded like marbles in a soup can. Same noise but will check the cv.

[@gerhardpet1]

Again what are the odds. Just a week or two ago I started hearing a noise coming from the front of my EcoDiesel and I'm pretty sure it's the same as what you're having. Now I know how to check it....thank you

[@BoostedMotorsports]

Thanks Gerhard

[@mr.confused5137]

Just replaced my driver side (had the same tinking noise) only to find the same noise on the passenger side after I checked and went for a test drive and didn't notice a difference luckily doesn't take long to do on a 2wd. 2016 Laramie Longhorn 74k miles.

[@albertgarcia676]

My daily is a 03 dodge replaced passenger side hub 4 weeks ago no warning started popping like plastic braking it was the second replacement in 5years .Thanks for the how to do thing and look for problems videos

[@thebunz7]

Well bearing makes more noise/vibration with speed, CV axle is on acceleration and turning.

[@naturepan]

Other way how to check if wheel bearing is bad, just hold spring and turn the wheel. Youll feel vibration by hand. Bad bearing gives noise and vibration to suspension spring :)

[@BoostedMotorsports]

Yes I’ve seen that method also and mention it in the video 😁

[@mattcee7113]

I've replaced a wheel bearing on a Ford Focus and spun the wheel, it still makes noise on the same side I replaced but very little vibration from the spring. Could it be a bad CV axle?

[@SlavicCelery]

@@mattcee7113 Could be a brake caliper at that point in time.

[@MM_in_Havasu]

I'd do both of them, where there's smoke, there's fire! If your rig has over 100K miles, then service life is likely about done on those bearings. Better to catch it now than than on the road somewhere. Keep up the good video content!

[@9fiveb180]

I wonder if the ballbearings get flat areas from binding after a period of time or due to the degradation of the grease, or it's depletion due to fluctuating temperatures? Like maybe if someone was pulling a trailer that didn't have it's own brakes, and they were going over a mountain pass during winter. Ya know? I dunno very much about car stuff. But I can play a rocket surgeon if someone can lend me some dark framed spectacles and a lab-coat. This fuel tastes strange though.

[@Andrew-vd2ko]

Thank you for such a great video... I was wondering if I have wheel bearing or CV joint but my CV joint looks like new.... I have a Honda Accord and am questioning if bearing or CV joint...

[@blusky7072]

The factory sealed wheel bearing grease has finally reached the end of its service life and now there is metal on metal contact between the race and roller or needle bearings, hence the loud metallic sound under load. Bearing more than likely scored and damaged requiring replacement.

[@dmatheson1342]

I had play in the tire , but when jacked up and I spun the tire I didn't hear the grinding? I assume it's the right front wheel bearing because of the play and for the fact when I turn left it gets noticeably louder , so bought the part, going to put it in tomorrow, will update

[@isaacpineda]

This exactly the video I need to troubleshoot my 2014 Ram 1500 ST. Thanks a bunch bro.

[@JohnNorris411]

is pulling your wheel bearings, cleaning and repacking them with grease still part of the vehicle maintenance with later model cars or is that just something we did back in the day?

[@MrMjrob]

They only sell the whole assembly now.

[@XGamingDucksX]

Go figure the same day you post this video my wheel bearing and cv boot go on the same day... Nice

[@rjmac3001]

Took my 2nd gen 4runner offroading today for the first time. As soon as i make a sharp turn in 4wd is almost feels like something is binding up. Starts making crunching sound. I knew it needed replacement but damnnn that scared me. Not a good feeling when you are way up a muddy trail lol

[@dustiwolfe4335]

I just watched your video in thr wheel hub on a 4x4 and I was wondering if you’ll have a video on how to replace. And I wanted to thank you for this video I have been busting my brain on what’s causing this exact sound. Thsnk you.

[@Badfrogger]

Great tutorial, going out to check mine no but, could you spin it ONE more time? I didn’t quite hear the noise the first 6 or so times. LoL, I’m kidding, great job putting it in different positions to show that the noise was there no matter what angle. Some might not make that noise in one position or another. Seriously great job! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@benbarker8785]

Great information but never hit the axle without and axle nut on the tip to protect the threads because if you damage those threads you're screwed. You'll have to replace the axle

[@bryaniskoo]

Yes! You did all the work for us! Gonna be hella easy to fix now.

[@tossemup5210]

2010 Dodge Charger 3.5l SXT. When turning steering wheel hard left or right it makes a loud pop sound on the front left(driver) and even when making a hard stop. It pop to the front left side

[@NoahLowe2010]

Cv axles

[@tossemup5210]

@@NoahLowe2010 Noah, my bad. Just now seeing this reply. Appreciate the advice. I didn't stick around to hear from you. It wasn't the wheel bearings bi changed them. It was my front lower rearward control arms(bushings). The control arm on the driver side was the one needed changing first. The one popping when I turned my wheels. Anyway again thanks for your time and getting back to me👍🏾

[@jackhewitt8614]

Mate I have excalty same thing on my 2023 Subaru Forester it’s very quite below 70 and over 70 you can hear it and as you said Turing to right makes it loader going left goes quitter

[@newry123]

Can a bad bearing make the rotar/brake disc get very warm,,, cheers

[@frankmontez6853]

How long does it take to replace one side ?

[@Sickksidex3]

I have the same issues man. The thing is I have replaced the drivers wheel bearing 3 times with in 6 months Moog by the way. Summit Racing actually just refused to sent me another a replacement. So now I have no choice i guess but to get a Mopar wheel hub.

[@BoostedMotorsports]

Wait for my video. I found OEM mopar for dirt cheap 😈

[@86FxBdyCpe]

Did you go with OEM replacement?

[@RokkitRideProduction]

Perfect! Great Video - My 2015, 106,560 Mi. is doing the same thing exactly the way you describe it.

[@anthonyknight4366]

this is 100% a wheel bearing. the clicking you hear is dry ballnbearing clicking and clacking up against each other. I just did my sister's bearing and same noise. get Heatin and get beatin

[@shawn2789]

Or a free ball lol

[@bozzy7946]

It seems the tricky part is that the wheel bearing noise kinda reverberates on the entire assembly while the hub is attached to the cv. Great video. Got a Lincoln continental I'm fighting this issue with.

[@EricFernandez-wy9qy]

My 2013 a Nissan Rogue (75k mi.) “wobbles” at 35-40 mph. But runs fine with no sounds of car problem. Any idea what it could be ? Looked under carriage and CV axle seal seams to be leaking some fluid. Would that be it?

[@haleaurelian]

You just got rid of a nice grinder 😀 When I had the same problem the wheel hub got much warmer then the others.

[@James0788]

Was there any vibration present whilst driving?

[@mitchp416]

Timken bearings off rock auto is the best brand/price I could find. Just changed mine out last month.

[@BoostedMotorsports]

Yessir they show up tomorrow

[@mitchp416]

@@BoostedMotorsports Awesome!

[@happygear]

Nice video just the same issues as mine , well if you fixed the issues could you please tell me what is it. Bearings worn out or cv join thanks for the video😊

[@blackpantherx4019]

Great video was very help full . I having thoughts as well that this can be a wheel 🛞 bearing issue on my Scion tC when I drive from 20 mph -45 mph I hear 👂 also a noise from the driver side tire 🛞. I change rotors and break hardware and the noise still there . I think 🤔 it maybe the wheel hub bearing . My car is 7 years old 76k miles it’s lowered as well .

[@Richiebones]

Hey brother I have a clunking when going over bumps in my honda accord and I have a little humming. What do ya thing . I'm in a jam and I need to figure it out

[@mikehoffmann5843]

Heard same noise on my impala. Now I know what to change. Thank you.

[@Htowndaz]

I have a 2011 hearing a popping and cracking noise from the front wheel only in drive not reverse

[@Htowndaz]

I have a 2011 hearing a popping and cracking noise from the front wheel only in drive not reverse

[@daveengstrom9250]

This is VERY GOOD diagnosis procedure. If only my dealer did as well.

[@eviljinsi]

a tip that may help spin the wheel and as the wheel is spinning hold the strut spring, any sort of feedback, vibration can be felt is usually a sign of a bad bearing

[@BoostedMotorsports]

Yes I mention this in the video but the cv can also transfer its vibration

[@jmicrogers]

Was there a pulsing hum at low speeds?

[@PMaynard-22]

always cracks me up that big crappy tough trucks have the same size wheel bearings as cars.

[@gmdaddyrocks7730]

Hey there, I was just wondering what year your truck was and how many miles you had on it when those wheel bearings were replaced?

[@oifvet2x]

So if I turn left and it gets louder but quieter when I turn right that means the right one would be my possible problem, correct?

[@fredmarks6949]

Im having about the same noise issue. Wheel bearing felt, sounded and look fine. Would it be an axle shaft?

[@fredmarks6949]

Its when turning right, but stops left

[@BoostedMotorsports]

Year usually bad CVs show up when turning and you hear a clicking

[@cjbarlow61]

Man I just swapped my whole front and rear suspension. Started hearing what sounded like a bad hub, just replaced it today and now I'm ordering a cv axle for the same exact side your working on

[@sarahsmith4617]

Awesome video, thanks for taking things apart to really isolate that sound. I'm in the same boat, cant tell which it's coming from, considering just doing both because my vehicle is so old lol

[@Sage-qd6tf]

Probably worth it, if you’ve already taken everything apart

[@robotops2929]

Bad wheel bearing, just replaced my driver side this past weekend. 14 Ram. I’m sure my passenger side is on its way out soon also.

[@logandoyle8365]

Great detailed video bro

[@daveyt4802]

ABS tone ring rusted or broke?

[@willmatic84]

Yeah definitely the wheel bearing i had to change mines on my durango I change both it was making that same noise I got new ones and it went away now its smooth theses ram hubs are a piece of cake to change 😏👌🏽

[@coreyrogers5358]

Mine* there’s no S

[@GoCubsSoxSuck123]

Got the same going with my Durango too. First video I found where the sound is identical, compared to the other videos

[@leemandeville5570]

I have this same sound. Cv boot is broken off. I’m on hwy now and no mechanic in sight for 7 hours… can I still make it?!

[@eirannehooie5951]

Need help asap if anyone can help... What if my tire won't spin at all? My dad and brother mentioned it could be the cv joint/bad bearing. Any ideas? Also should I replace both sides or will one side ok?

[@happygear]

Put on neutral lol

[@marcdemmon471]

I have company f 150 truck drvn around oil field I have that click ing nous in 2 wheel mode but I put it in 4 whell drive by mode no clicking what up how is that

[@too_sm0ke]

Same noise I’m getting on my Focus ST whenever I turn left it’s like a whooping noise then at 80+mph it hums so loud

[@GoCubsSoxSuck123]

Got that same thing going on with my 2015 Durango. How many miles on your ST?

[@AnEddisAirport]

exact same thing on mine, focus 2014 zetec

[@omargl23]

after passing the speed humps, my car vibrates when it reaches the speed of 4 to 50 kmh. What could be the problem? and it gets to normal after a few stops.🤔🙏

[@thecount1001]

any way to clean and regrease the wheel bearings?

[@PNH-sf4jz]

Not worth doing so. At the stage where problems have become apparent, as described in this video, corrosion and lack of lubrication are likely to have damaged the steel bearing and their mating surfaces. "Are front wheel bearings sealed? Unlike typical American rear-drive cars, European, [Japanese and most other modern vehicle} models generally employ permanently sealed front wheel bearings. (Same goes for just about every front-wheel-drive vehicle on the planet, but that's a story for another day.) 31 Aug 2006" "Do wheel bearings come pre packed? Wheel Bearing vs Hub Bearing - Know the Difference and When ... A major difference between the two is how they are assembled. Wheel bearings can be taken apart, lubricated and reassembled to be used again. Hub bearings are pre-packed {and sealed} at the manufacturer's factory and are sold and installed as a complete unit. 15 Mar 2018" For the reasons noted above, hub bearings, when they are no longer serviceable, should/must be replaced as a complete new unit. Over the life of modern vehicles, there are considerable cost savings as a consequence of using sealed wheel hubs. With older type "serviceable wheel beerings", there was the requirement for relatively regular disassembly, cleaning and regreasing of all of the running bearings. Cost in down time, labour and materials and often more expensive to replace if they were no longer serviceable, by comparison with the cost of replacing a hub bearing as a unit. Another example is the water/coolant pump in most cars. When the bearing and seal have deteriorated to the point where they require service or replacement, it is often less expensive to replace the whole factory sealed unit than to buy and install a service kit. The result of using a whole unit is generally more reliable and, if the work is done correctly, the sealed factory unit comes with a warranty on factoy faults, which are extremely rare. {Notes in these {brackets} added by me to the references quoted above.

[@tiphanese8814]

My suv is making a clicking or popping noise when driving, everytime time the wheel rolls over. Once I get to a certain speed that noise turns Into what sounds like something is scrubbing the ground. Any idea what that could be? My husband changed the axle, but it didn't fix the issue.

[@ambergorman1334]

Same here! I'm driving myself insane trying to find what it could possibly be.. 05 Yukon XL..

[@tiphanese8814]

@@ambergorman1334 I still have no idea. I guess I'm going to have to pull it to a shop. I need it fixed 😩 bad

[@chadjoneslsu]

Bro you explained exactly what my car was doing lol. I have a Al time 4wd

[@MindsDozer]

i only have a little experience with this, but when you said "i'm not feeling a lot of play" it looked like there was a lot of play.

[@lb6960]

It was him moving the wheels because the steering wheel wasn’t locked out. It was the wheels turning

[@rodramsey9756]

Thanks for the indepth diagnostics and isolation of the failure.

[@Mickytdi]

I have a hum that sounds like it’s coming from front left. However no play and spins smooth.

[@henryg683]

You would think that the bearings would last at least to 100k????? What is the mileage on the truck???

[@BoostedMotorsports]

118k

[@Chrismckinney1]

Ok yes we hear it lol…. The most dedicated 👏 award goes to

[@nelsongomes6671]

I have a 2021 5th gen Laramie 1500’it vibrates around 65-80 mph I brought it to the dealer 4 times they road force balanced the wheels and replaced wheels and tires but still vibrates. They are saying it’s normal for the vehicle. What do you think?

[@daytonafuntim]

I think you should stay away from that dealer. You hear or feel something, they should perform a diagnostic on it.

[@blusky7072]

Make certain it gets tested on an absolutely smooth, flat road I.e. asphalt with no seams that concrete has. Sometimes a very aggressive tread pattern in the tires will set up vibration when the harmonics of the tires rolling are just right with the road surface too. You have to eliminate all the variables to locate the source.

[@shawnlibby675]

I always check with a big pribar on the tire and lift up-and-down..

[@concernedcitizen9373]

Another great video thank you 🇺🇸

[@sherrilldean4598]

Good video

[@kevinr5187]

Great video, very descriptive.

[@Kiddro22]

I'm hoping it's just the wheel bearing and not the CV joint or axle. 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee sound is coming more off the front driverside.

[@brucesmith5245]

Hi Kiddro22, did you find the problem? I have a 2014 GC and noise is only at very low speed - about 6 miles per hr. Raise the air suspension and cant get the noise to repeat. Its only done 65k miles. Any clues?

[@Kiddro22]

@@brucesmith5245 yes, it was the wheel bearing/hub assembly. I replaced it with a Moog brand and it was fine after.

[@ClubMBaD]

I replaced a wheel bearing on a ford that only had 48000 miles- even THAT bearing was a beast- idk how that thing came off like that. Wondering-because it’s a dodge-if that part wasn’t already replaced earlier

[@agaba5500]

nice work

[@gerardjones7881]

mechanics stethoscope can find that noise quickly, another way I do it is flood the bearing joint with liquid wrench behind the wheel, if its the bearing the noise will disappear for 5 minutes driving, then it comes back, yup its the bearing.

[@jacksmith2315]

Ppl always think a good bearing will spin for longer. Thats absolutely false. That means the bearing has lost its lubrication so theres no/less resistance allowing the bearing to spin more. A good bearing will only free spin a little bit.

[@12vLife]

I was stuck in deep sand in my FWD 4 cylinder van last month. Trying to get out I heard a few loud pops. I drove it home and now when the van has been parked for a while, when I first try to back out or drive off it makes a single popping noise, like a knuckles dislodging. After it makes the noise it does not make it again while driving.. i drove 300 miles stopping at countless intersections and it never made the noise until the following morning backing out of a parking space. Anybody got any ideas?

[@sbcmike2413]

What size was the keeper nut?

[@andyg817]

Not always opposite side for bearing as you turn.. if you load weight on it.. ie turn RIGHT into the corner, the RIGHT wheel bearing is bad. ....

[@sixwheelcarlisle8491]

I have the same noise coming from my 2009 Scion xB. Exact same noise.

[@chrislewis7340]

Great information John. Love what you do and the stuff you share.

[@ProudElefant44]

Man, I just spent $700 on having my struts replaced, tires balanced and car alignment and still have this horrible noice coming from the front end of my vehicle when I go between 40-65 mph. The whole car starts vibrating and humming. I have a feeling it could be one or both wheel bearings

[@MistyGriffith-bp7ex]

My sounds like a whale underwater when i turn my wheel and the front tire looks as if its moved 8 inches forward? What it be?

[@mannyalvarado2664]

Awesome viper.

[@bostownent4816]

Exactly what mine sounds like. Pulled everything apart and my axle didn’t make a sound and my W-bearing was the culprit

[@brendenmoldy]

Should have been easy to diagnose that one by driving in circles and seeing if sound changes. I'm guessing it would have varied greatly.

[@PNH-sf4jz]

That was described when referring to the left and right turns and the consequent loading of the bearing at each side. Min 0:50 .