How to Check If a Hub Bearing Is Bad
- 1). Place chock blocks against the rear wheels. A chock block is a square piece of cement or heavy wood that will keep the wheels from moving and secure the car. Lodge a block under the backside of each wheel.
- 2). Use a floor jack to raise the front end of the vehicle off the ground. Park your car on a level surface. Position the jack behind the wheel well near the car door. Many vehicles have notches in the body for jacks. If yours does not, choose a location that is solid and will provide suitable contact with the jack. The jack must be placed to lift the body of the car as opposed to a part, such as the bumper. Once the jack is positioned, place the handle into the port on the jack and pump. You will need about 3 to 4 inches of space between the tire and the ground in order to check the hubs. Raise one side, then repeat the process with a second jack on the opposite side.
- 3). Take hold of one tire at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions, placing one hand at the top and one at the bottom of the wheel.
- 4). Attempt to shake the wheel. Apply pressure to the wheel, moving forward and backward. Take note of any movement in the wheel. There should be very little room to move the tire. Excessive movement indicates the hub needs replacing.
- 5). Rotate the tire with your hands. Listen for grinding noises. Feel the tire as it turns for roughness or shaking. This would also indicate a bad hub.
- 6). Repeat steps 2 through 4 on the other tire.
