How to tell if Front wheel bearings are bad???

[pearlm30]

The 95 outback is starting to develop some noise similar to bad CV joints when turn just a little while i step on the gas. But the CV axles are less than 5000 miles on them. Could this noise be the front wheel bearings? How can I tell if the bearings are bad? I did jack the car up and everything seems to be normal.

Any advice???

Thanks

[ericem]

When you turn left or right and your not on the gas do you notice it gets louder or only when your on the gas? If so it is most likely to be the CV. Might be the CV you got was not OEM.

[schlit]

When you turn left or right and your not on the gas do you notice it gets louder or only when your on the gas? If so it is most likely to be the CV. Might be the CV you got was not OEM.

 

Based on my experience of a bad front bearings, and CV joints, in general if it changes noise if you turn very slightly, then it's a wheel bearing. If it takes a lot of turning to make it noisy, its problably the CV.

 

Also, I noticed my bad bearing making noise when I'd be driving straight, and then go over slightly uneven pavement (like a lowered shoulder or something).

[tcspeer]

Someone here gave a great tip how to tell when a bearing is bad, if I could remember who I would give them credit but I can't so I will give you the tip.

 

Raise both front wheels off of the ground and spin wheel by hand while holding the spring, if bearing is bad it will be felt by vibration in spring (compare with other side).

 

I have only used this once but it was very easy to tell which one was bad, if they feel the same check the back.

[EVOthis]

You can also raise the vehicle and grab the wheel at 12 oclock and 6 oclock and see if you have excessive play. After you do that grab the wheel at 3 and 9 oclock and see if you have excessive play...if you have excessive play in both directions its either most likely wheel bearings or there is a chance that your outer tie rod ends and lower ball joints will both need to be replaced...... If it is indeed the wheel bearings sometimes you can notice the clearance between the outer CV joint and the hub when you shake the wheel.....Just my experience.....good luck!

[Gloyale]

The 95 outback is starting to develop some noise similar to bad CV joints when turn just a little while i step on the gas. But the CV axles are less than 5000 miles on them.

 

I jut replaced an axle that had only about 5000 mile on it. It was bad though. Aftermarket axle for subarus are notoriously not up to the quality level of the OEM. Search and you'll find alot of storys of "new" axles going bad. The fact that the noise is prevalent under throttle makes me think CV.

 

If it is the wheel bearing, you should be able to feel slop when trying to wiggle the wheel. As decribed by EVOthis and TCspeeder