Wheel Bearing Archives - Page 4 of 4 - Tomorrows Technician
VIDEO: Knuckle Bore Distortion And Bearing Installation

Andrew Markel shows how you can measure bore distortion on a knuckle and catch any bearing installation issues before they happen.

VIDEO: Wheel Bearing Runout

Andrew Markel shows how cleanliness is next to godliness when installing a new rotor on an existing hub and flange on a vehicle.

VIDEO: Wheel Bearing Breakdowns

Andrew Markel exposes what wheel bearings go though daily and what contributes to their breakdown.

Spring Is Pothole And Bearing Season

The classic symptom of a bad wheel bearing is typically a cyclic chirping, squealing or growling noise that changes in proportion to vehicle speed. The sound may only appear or disappear at certain speeds. The noise may get worse when turning, or it may disappear momentarily. So, it’s difficult to make a diagnosis based on noise alone.

Understanding Wheel Bearing Seals

A seal must always be installed so that the sealing lip is facing the fluid to be sealed. This is because the lip is made so that pressure applied to it from the “wet” side of the seal will tend to increase the pressure the lip applies to the shaft. If the seal is installed backwards, pressure acting on the “wrong” side of the lip will cause it to lift from the shaft, resulting in leakage. On most seals, the correct side is obvious; however, on others it is not.

Live-Axle Wheel Bearing Replacement

Replacing wheel bearings on a vehicle with a live rear axle may not be one of the most frequent jobs, but it can be one of the most profitable. While the basics have not changed in more than 60 years, new seal materials and differential designs have added new wrinkles.