Noise is the first sign that tells something is wrong with your wheel bearing. But sometimes, why does wheel bearing noise goes away when turning left? Let’s find out the interesting reason.
Your vehicle’s wheel bearings are the most critical part of the vehicle. The wheel bearings keep your wheels well-connected to the other parts, and it helps keep your wheels rotating smoothly with less friction. The assembly may look easy but has a most complex design.
The wheel bearings usually have a long lifespan, and you can drive for up to 100,000 miles without changing them. However, sometimes you may have damage to the wheel bearings due to rough driving or bad road conditions. In such a case, you will notice some noises when you drive.
But why does wheel bearing noises goes away when turning left?
This is probably because your right wheel bearings are damaged, and the vehicle’s weight shifts to the other side when you turn left. The “unloading” of the right side wheel takes your vehicle’s weight from the right wheel bearing, which is enough to stop the noise momentarily.
In this article, let us further look at
- Ways to diagnose bad wheel bearings to find which side has a bad bearing.
- Why your wheel bearing is making a noise when turning in one direction
- Reasons why bearings make noises
- And ways to keep your bearings going longer.
Which Wheel Bearing Is Bad When Turning?
You can easily find a bad wheel bearing by gently turning and driving slowly. If the bearing noise goes away when turning right, it means there is a problem with the left bearing. And if the noise goes away when turning left, the right side wheel bearing is probably faulty or broken.
How To Find Out If Wheel Bearing Is Bad?
Noise is usually the first sign that tells there is something wrong with your wheel bearing and needs to be replaced. A bad wheel bearing can be due to many issues. And each problem will make a different noise.
- Humming Noise. If you notice a humming noise while driving, it means the wheel bearing is damaging. You will probably hear a sound when you are driving straight. It may be more noticeable on turns.
- Clicking Noise. When you make sharp turns or drive through the corners, you will hear a snapping and clicking sound. This is usually due to corrosion or faulty wheel bearing.
- Grinding Noise. When there is some mechanical problem with your wheel system, it makes a grinding noise. If the bearing is damaged, it is probably due to roller damage, and you will hear the grinding sound while making turns.
Why Does My Wheel Bearing Make Noise When I Turn Right?
A faulty wheel bearing makes noises when you turn on one side because when you are turning right, the vehicle weight moves on the right wheel. The extra weight that is there puts pressure on the wheel bearings, causing them to make a noise. When you turn left, the noise goes away. This means that only one wheel bearing is damaged.
How Do You Know Wheel Bearing Is Faulty?
To find out which bearing is bad or damaged, you need to do some investigation.
Method 1
- First, look for a road that is not busy and start a test drive. Drive in a straight line.
- Move your steering right and left and notice if you hear any noise while turning. So if you hear a noise while making a right turn, it means the left wheel bearing is faulty and vice-versa.
Method 2
- Park your car where you can lift it using a hydraulic jack.
- Now, turn your wheels rapidly and notice if it is making any grinding or humming noise.
- Try to push and pull the wheel while swaying back and forth and see if there is some unusual movement.
- Now, try doing the same thing with your wheels at a different position. Excessive play in steering means the steering is loose and needs to be fixed. Check for any play on both sides of the bearing.
Why Does My Wheel Bearing Make Noises?
Rack And Pinion Is Broken
Rack and pinion are one of the most complex parts of the steering. There are many moving parts in the steering system that have a chance of getting damaged or worn out.
If the rack and pinion are damaged, it will make some noise when you turn your vehicle. You need to replace the parts to avoid more damage to your steering system.
The Shocks Or Struts Are Worn Out
Though these are suspension parts, this does not mean that they cannot make any noise while making turns. Sometimes the mounting gets loose or wears out, and you will notice a sliding sound when you turn.
You use your suspension when you take round turns. If any part of the steering is faulty, you will hear a noise while turning the wheels. The coil springs around the shocks may break down, causing a disturbing noise while driving.
The Tie Rod Gets Loose Or Broken
Your rack and pinion are attached to the tie rod end. And these tie rods come with rubber boots that have chances of wearing out and need to be replaced from time to time.
When the rubber tie rod is damaged, it bounces around when the metal hits. It is better to change the tie road quickly to avoid any more damage.
The Steering Pump Is Damaged
The power steering pump makes turning smooth and easy while driving your car. But if it gets damaged, it becomes noisy. If you hear any sound coming from the top of the engine, it is probably coming from the steering pump.
Tips To Keep Your Wheel Bearings Well-Maintained
- When replacing the wheel bearing, make sure you only replace it with good-quality parts. If you cannot find high-quality parts, stick to OEM parts for your vehicle. Replacing with inferior parts will damage the parts prematurely and further result in inexpensive repair.
- Keep checking your tires at regular intervals and ensure the wheels are correctly aligned. Also, make sure the tire is inflated at the correct pressure as per your vehicle type.
- Avoid driving fast when driving on poor roads with potholes and breakers. Driving roughly will damage the parts and put a load on wheel bearings, causing them to damage prematurely.
- Stick to your vehicle’s original tires and wheels. Avoid modifying it with bigger wheels with low-profile tires as it can put a load on the bearing and wear out quickly.
A Few Final Words
At some point, the wheel bearing may get damaged and start making disturbing noises. These are primarily due to accidents or any broken parts. It is better to check the wheel bearings from time to time to avoid any premature damage and repair.
Thank you for reading the article. We hope we answered your questions about wheel bearings, why they make a noise sometimes, and what you should do about it. You might also like to read: How Long Can I Drive With A Bad Wheel Bearing? And Wheel Bearing Noise Stops When Turning Right
