Wheel Bearing

[Rockape]

Did the rear discs today.

With the discs off when I spun the rear hub I could hear clicking as the hub rotated from the hub itself. Is this a sign the bearings are on the way out?

[bluezedd]

It could be, but it could also be something else that is clicking e.g. disc backing plate contact, brake pad fittings etc.

Torque up the wheel, then jack it up with the wheel off the ground. Feel for any free play left to right, and up and down.

I also had a wheel bearing that failed, but it had zero free play. All 4 wheels were perfect when it came to free play. I only knew it failed from the droning noise.

To find the damaged wheel bearing, I jacked up each wheel, attached a 17mm socket to the wheel bolt, and spun the wheels as fast as i could with a t bar. This let me find the one that was feeling a bit "gritty". Even then, it was pretty subtle at those slow speeds.

Tbh if there's no free play, and it's not droning, I would just run it until it gets bad enough to detect.

If you decide to replace, take your time with it and torque everything up with a torque wrench. Don't use a rattle gun on the hub nut of the new bearing.

Edited by bluezedd on Tuesday 16th July 20:45

[Rockape]

Cheers. The hub was bare the disc, caliper pads the lot were off so nothing to catch on.

[bluezedd]

Rockape said:

Cheers. The hub was bare the disc, caliper pads the lot were off so nothing to catch on.

I don't recall off the top of my head, but I seem to remember it being common to find slight play turning a hub slightly in each direction of rotation. If it's not detectable when everything is mounted and the wheel is up in the air, and there's no rumbling, I wouldn't replace it.

[paintman]

What car is it & are the bearings ball or taper roller?

[Rockape]

It's a 2014 Ford Galaxy. Not sure which type I'm afraid. It's both sides on the rear.