Let's talk about wheel bearings....
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From: Western NC
Let's talk about wheel bearings....
I believe the rear wheel bearings on my wife's '02 XLT need replacing. Shortly after we bought tires, the thing started making a semi-loud whirring noise, kinda like a log-truck with mud grip tires on it might make, if you know what I mean. From the driver's seat, it sounds to me like it's coming from the right rear. I looked at it and conluded the noise was tire-related (they're Firestones). However, I just rotated the tires, and the noise is still there. I read on here somewhere that this condition might be caused by the tire shop over-tightening the lugs, with an impact gun maybe. That kinda makes sense, since the noise started not long after the new tires were put on. Anyone had this happen to them? I've got to do the rear brakes pretty soon, and I'm thinking that I might do the bearings at the same time. Anyone done this job? I've replaced the front bearing assemblies on my '00 F-350, so I'm thinking that the job may be similar to that. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated....
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jack the tires up an inch off the ground, take off the tire and brake discs. then you can rotate the hub and listen to the bearings. kind of hard to tell at that slow speed, but you are comparing the two sides to see which one "sounds" like it has a problem. You are right, the rears are presealed bearings and hub kind of like the front. the difference is the fronts come as a one piece unit. the rear comes as a hub, and bearing two piece. you take off the "bracket" from the rear after pulling the mounting bolts. then you take the unit to the shop and press the hub and bearing out. i used a 12 ton press, and barely big enough. you reassemble the new bearing and hub into the old bracket and then bolt it back onto the truck. if you dont have a press- setup with a local shop to do that part after you pull it off the truck. their part is only about 1 hour, but is a critical step. be careful or you can screw up the new bearing.
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From: In the Middle
Originally Posted by RedTaurus94
I read on here somewhere that this condition might be caused by the tire shop over-tightening the lugs, with an impact gun maybe.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Over tightening lugs can cause vibration issues due to uneven pressure on the brake rotors... but it can not destroy your bearing... HOWEVER over tightening the AXLE nut can, but there would be no reason for them to remove that for a tire install.
As far as pressing the bearing in, it seems fewer and fewer parts stores are offering this service anymore, especially the "discount" chain stores such as Autozone, Advance, O'reilley's, etc.. One of the few chains that do is Car-Quest.... and some might even press it in for free if you buy the bearing from them. It's definitely worth calling around for.
It's also "possible" for a rear end pinion bearing to cause a similar noise, but from experience the rear wheel bearings are usually the culprit. Good luck.
As far as pressing the bearing in, it seems fewer and fewer parts stores are offering this service anymore, especially the "discount" chain stores such as Autozone, Advance, O'reilley's, etc.. One of the few chains that do is Car-Quest.... and some might even press it in for free if you buy the bearing from them. It's definitely worth calling around for.
It's also "possible" for a rear end pinion bearing to cause a similar noise, but from experience the rear wheel bearings are usually the culprit. Good luck.
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