Why Your Wheel Bearings May be Making a Strange Sound

If you hear any suspicious sounds coming from the bottom of your car, there’s a chance that there’s an issue with your wheel bearing. Some of the noises that can be attributed to your wheel bearing include the following:

• Hissing
• Grinding or grating
• Humming
• Squealing

These noises are often one of the first signs of wheel bearing failure, but what causes them?

Wear

Due to their incredible lifespan—generally ranging between 100,000 to 150,000 miles—it isn’t extremely likely that you’ll see much in the way of wear on your bearings. However, outside elements (such as salt) and excessive weight can eventually cause your car’s bearings to wear a little. The smallest bit of wear can cause pitting and warping that leads to the unpleasant noises you hear.

Improper Installation After Replacement

If you hear any noise not long after you replace your bearings, this may be a sign of improper installation. Failure to correctly install bearings can cause severe damage in a short amount of time. Since the installation process is an important one, make sure a qualified professional carries out the task.

An Accident

As all parts of a car are connected to each other, it isn’t incredibly uncommon for an accident to negatively affect several parts at once. If you’ve had your car repaired and hear suspicious sounds, don’t immediately panic. It may just be a simple bearing issue that your mechanic can easily remedy.

The Right Parts

From wheel bearings to brake pads, it’s incredibly important that you’re sure to properly equip your car with the proper parts. Here at the WheelerShip, we specialize in creating OEM-replica wheels that will make your car feel as new as it did on the day you bought it. Whether you need 2015 Toyota Camry wheels or the 2012 options, we carry them all.