Do I Need Hub Bearings?

[rich21]

when im driving i hear a squeeking noise coming from the passenger rear wheel. at times while im slowing down to a stop i hear like a metal grinding noise. i shook the wheel and theres a little bit of play in it. how can you tell if its the hub bearings. would i be able to do it myself or should i have a mechanic do it? how much would it cost to have a mechanic do it?

thanks for any replies

[92Lex]

You sloudn't be able to feel any "play" in the hub. If you've kicked your hub, u might as well DIY n replace the bearing. At home diagnostic...might as well at home fix it.

[rich21]

is it hard to diy? how should i go about doing it? is there a site that i can go on to see how to do it?

[92Lex]

If you plan on doin' it yourself then subscribe to TIS. It's your friend at times like this.

[jzz30]

if you have confidence in taking ball joints off then go for it but if you dont then i would leave it to a pro. i did mine but it was a big pain to get the hubs off!! not to mention my breaker bar broke after trying to take off the axle nut!

[rich21]

when i felt that i had a little play with the wheel i took it off along with the caliper and rotor. i turn the akle nut to the right and it was a little loose. now am i making the right diagnosis here with the nosie and all? i took it to a mechanic and he said because of the play in the wheel and noise that its the bearings.

[92Lex]

You shouldn't be able to turn the axle nut by hand. Tighten that first and see if the problem still persist.

[rich21]

i did and the nosie got a little worse

[jzz30]

when you lift the car up are you able to move the wheel side by side with your hands? if so the bearing is toast!

[rich21]

if i were to put one hand on top and the other on the bottom i can feel play in the wheel. should that explain the axle nut being loose?

[92Lex]

Usually on cars with defective hub bearings, the nut is still on tight. If the nut is tight and you're still getting play, you should replace the hub bearing.

[jzz30]

the axle nut should not affect the wheel being able to move around since the bearing is a press fit. although under continuous load the axle nut being too loose could and will play a role but these nuts are torqued at over 200 ft-lbs so i doubt they came loose and then messed up the bearing. when my bearing went out the nut was tight and like i said my breaker bar died trying to take the nut off. most likely the nut became loose as a result of the bearing. either way you will need to buy a new inner hub.

[rich21]

shopuld i tighten the nut? how much can it all cost from a mechanic? i got a price of 220 just to replace the bearings. is that a good price?

[jzz30]

that sounds good if its both sides because it cost me 50 a piece to get the bearings pressed out and in. so thats half already.

[rich21]

actually thats only one side. should i tighten the axle nut?