How to verify bad rear bearing?

[ponkotsu]

Other than actually changing it, is there a way to verify a rear bearing is bad?

I'm getting a humming noise from the rear. Sounds like right rear, but hard to day. Tone does not change at all when shifting into neutral, accel or decel. Does seem to change a little when cornering hard. So seems like it's "probably" the right rear wheel bearing.

 

[zpn_by]

Evidence sounds pretty convincing. Does the tone change with vehicle speed? Have someone sit in your third row while you drive, and they should be able to hear it. (make sure you don't get someone who listens to their iPod earbuds turned up to 11 though!)

You could also jack up the rear end, even rotate the caliper out of the way to loosen the pads, and then turn the wheel/rotor by hand - you might even feel something in your fingertips. USE JACKSTANDS!

 

[ponkotsu]

Evidence sounds pretty convincing. Does the tone change with vehicle speed? Have someone sit in your third row while you drive, and they should be able to hear it. (make sure you don't get someone who listens to their iPod earbuds turned up to 11 though!)

You could also jack up the rear end, even rotate the caliper out of the way to loosen the pads, and then turn the wheel/rotor by hand - you might even feel something in your fingertips. USE JACKSTANDS!

The tone changes directly with speed. Coming to a stop, it comes to a low pitch almost growling sound. I couldn't feel any play in the wheel, so I think it's still tight, just rough. Probably should just do it. With 140k, if it's not bad it soon will be...

 

[zpn_by]

If it was my truck, I'd be changing the bearing. Actually, it is like my truck - both my front bearings are on their way, and the truck has about 155,000 km (98,000 miles). Funny part with mine is that my left bearing is rougher than the right, but I only hear the right one! Oh well - $350+ is not in the budget right now so I'll just turn up the stereo. The truck only gets about 200 km per month anyway - not even half a tank of gas.

At that kind of miles, I'd say you dodged a bullet making them last that long. A few years ago I was a shuttle driver for a Ford dealer - our Flexes (Flexii?) would chew rear bearings at around 20,000 km. My 2007 Mustang GT also chewed its front bearings by 22,000 km. Compared to my (older) fleet, I've only had to do bearings on maybe three vehicles out of 20+, with most going the distance (AKA forever) on the factory pieces...

 

[2Trux]

If it was my truck, I'd be changing the bearing. Actually, it is like my truck - both my front bearings are on their way ... Oh well - $350+ is not in the budget right now so I'll just turn up the stereo.

Your post made me chuckle.

 

[RicketyExplorer]

It does sound like the rear wheel bearing, just replace it with a cheap one cause even a top line one you'll only going to get about a year to year and a half out of it before it starts to go again.

 

[ponkotsu]

It does sound like the rear wheel bearing, just replace it with a cheap one cause even a top line one you'll only going to get about a year to year and a half out of it before it starts to go again.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure its the right rear. If I make a hard left turn it gets louder. Not sure why you say it will be bad again in a year. If I use a good quality bearing and install properly it should be good for another 100k at least.

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure its the right rear. If I make a hard left turn it gets louder. Not sure why you say it will be bad again in a year. If I use a good quality bearing and install properly it should be good for another 100k at least.

Motorcraft or Timken nothing else.