Hi Guys, What am I listening\looking for to tell me I need new axle bearings. A mechanic who did some work for me said he could hear the bearings were getting bad. He said it would get to be a really loud moan before they go out. Does that sounds right? I don't really hear anything. Although my engine is pretty loud I might be missing it.
well the first indication would be your wheel flying off. But, I think if you jack the car up and spin the wheel if there seems to be more drag/or a sound not associated with the caliper slightly rubbing against the rotor. That's probably a good sign, wheel bearings are important not something to "wait and see" about.
Rear axle will give a sound sorta like a chirp and you should feel it, that was one axle That went bad on me. Long time ago I had one that got tight and smoked the grease out of housing. Always good to check wheels for heat on trips, its a double check on tires, brakes, lube, bearings and adjustments. If you have never replaced your axle bearings, it is time! You got that thought in your head know and will bother you till you replace them! They have outlived their life!
usually you will hear a growel from the rear end. it could be an axle bearing, carrier bearing or pinion bearing. the other thing you find is oil leaking out of the axle bearing into the brakes when the bearing is really going bad. you can use a stethoscope to listen to the bearing if you put the car up on jack stands and run it in the air. if you pull out the axles then you can rotate the bearing and see if its smooth or rough. it should have some drag on it from the grease inside it when you rotate it. if its loose or rough then it needs replacement.
When I know my rear alxe bearings are going out I usualy feel abit of a vibration and a pulsing hum... the fronts have usually done the same... last time I changed the front bearings I had some/most that were oval.
