How to check wheel bearings

[A L 3 X]

I always thought you just jacked the car up and rocked the wheel to check for play but I've been told to loosen the hub nut then check for excessive play?

[turbo Grant]

I jack up and spin the wheel and hold the spring or put my hand on the back of hub. You can feel the roughness of the bearing when they are gone. The backs should have a bit of play as they are tapered bearings. The fronts are a cartage bearing and you shouldn't have any play

Edited August 1, 2013 by turbo Grant

[daniel_g]

If you loosten the hub nut then there WILL be excessive play even if you have a good bearing ??

Up and down play in the wheel, without un doing bolts, will normally determine a wheel bearing. Also a rumbling or droning noise when spinning the wheel.

[5T4R7ET N/A]

jack up the car and hold the wheel 12 clock and 6 clock and give it a good wiggle pulling towards yourself, should be solid. spin the wheel and listen for any rough rubbing type of noise.

you can also take wheel and calipers and brake discs off and spin the flange and see if there is any movement in the flange or noise.

i would try the first method as it will not take long to do. the second one if you are unsure.

[A L 3 X]

Right I'll try this at the weekend then cheers