How can you tell if a hub is bad

[tyhuck]

I had the passneger side replaced over the summer, and with 98K on the clock, im sure the driver side is not far behind, unless it was replaced before I bought the truck. I got it last Dec with 87K on it so I guess it could have been replaced.

 

Ive heard some of you guys say that a bad hub bearing will make a roaring sound when driving. But, how do you tell the difference between road noise, tire whine, and the bearing roar? Not to mention having to hear it over the wind noise.Plus since I installed the BL, Ive begun to hear all kinds of strnage noises that I never heard from the truck before, like the steering shaft clunk. Put the tire noise at speed together with a steering shaft clunk when turning, and me being paranoid about my hub being, and I find myself constantly checking the front hub. But, good news is that it always seems tight as far as I can tell.

 

Does it make a distinct sound?

 

Will it make any sounds a low speeds, or only at highway speeds?

[RyanbabZ71]

it will progessively get worse as you go faster. It will be a distinctive hum noise. It will be hard to hear your radio at regular volume.

[txab]

[RyanbabZ71]

Where the heck did the side mirror go on the red silverado?

[tyhuck]

it will progessively get worse as you go faster. It will be a distinctive hum noise. It will be hard to hear your radio at regular volume.

 

 

So I would hear the hum over the radio?

[MedicPilot]

You will get more of a growling noise than a hum. It will progressivly get louder. A bearing can be bad and growl, yet have no play. Have seen that many times. If it is the fronts you can check while turning at higher speed. The bearing sound will get worse with speed(similar to tire noise). If teh left one is bad the noise will get worse when turning right as your loading the left bearing. Opposite is true for the other side. Any questions feel free to ask.

[Rons05z71]

Sometimes turning in a parking lot at a slower speed will tell you too. The side that makes noise on the turn is the bad bearing. Placing a load on that bearing.

[ChevyTech77]

I've replaced hundreds of full size truck hub bearings that didn't make a peep of noise but were about ready to seperate at any minute. Jack it up and check it for play.

[Gone Again]

They can also be very noisy and have zero play.

[ChevyTech77]

They can also be very noisy and have zero play.

 

True as that is how most every bad car hub bearing that I've ever seen, is.

[Garrett Street]

Is it possible that when you load the bearing (by turning or whatever) the action silences the bearing? I thought for sure that it was the passenger side in my truck that was bad, but when I turn left the sound goes away.

[ChevyTech77]

Yup.

[KMGZ400]

They can also be very noisy and have zero play.

 

 

 

i just replaced my left hub at exactly 100k, it had very little play and was rumbling real bad

[tyhuck]

You know, this isnt really helping any. Besides the fact that you cant describe a sound by typing, there is a lot of contradicting information here. Sometimes there is play, sometimes there isnt. Sometimes it makes noise, sometimes it doesnt. Sometimes it will make it worse when turning, sometimes it will make it quieter. My head is spinning, and Im no closer to knowing if my bearing are good or bad.

 

I appreciate the info and input from all that contributed. Im just pointing out the contradictions here.

[Quint]

If you're worried about it at all, just spend a bit of money and replace the bearing. It's an easy job, and new parts are relatively superior to anything with any amount of wear. Peace of mind will ensue.