That is the noise coming from the front of the car. I think over the years I've only had 1 wheel bearing that I replaced, pretty sure it was the outer bearing. I would like to get the bearing before I work on the car - is it usually the outer bearing? Is it necessary to replace the race? (I don't recall doing that last time - like 20 years ago). Any advice? (I think I will consider doing the brakes while I'm at it - the car is pulling to the left some while braking). Thanks.

OK I'll be the Ahole here

WTF How Cheap is your Life.

Replace BOTH Front Wheel Bearing Sets INNER and OUTER. Including the Races.

HOW MUCH DOES THAT COST.

jeassssus H critsteeee

The inner rubber seal, too, yes? On the front bearing. Clean and inspect.

A quality NLGI-2 wheel bearing grease. Synthetic does well. I dunno about silicon synthetic NLGI-2 grease like SuperLube. The grease seems thin.

And the rear wheel bearings, also, could use attention, inspection, cleaning, and a fresh grease pack. As, well, letting it go as bad as in Art's image can be a real bother on them rear wheel bearings ... I don't like slide hammers.

Though people say you can get a harbor freight press to pull out the axle tube race.

I'll take the axle shaft to a competent machinist to replace the outer race, yet seal before ... those light blue-green factory seals. They almost glow. The odd light blue.

Sure Happy it's Wednesday (all day long!) MacDuffed.
--
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I'd jack the front tires off the ground and do a shake test. Grab the tires at 3:00 and 9:00 positions and push with one hand and pull with the other to check for Play in the Hub. If it does move then do the same thing with hands at 12:00 and 6:00. If you have play in that position too, then see if it has Play no matter what positions your hands are at. If it all shakes..it may be the bearings. If both front tires appear tight, I may have a look at the Center support bearing. When that starts to go, it's hard to tell where the sound is coming from.
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'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html http://cleanflametrap.com/tony/

My experience has been that the outer bearing goes dry sooner than the inner. I figure that it goes around just as many times as the inner but has less grease.

If the rollers or either race is at all rough, they should be replaced. Discoloration can be a little bit of a judgement call, but clearly a bad sign too. A little looseness on the inner race is not always an immediate fail.

It is good to keep wearing parts as a matched set. Install the new outer race if you replace the bearing.

Greg

I'm having front end churning noises too. I thought it was the center support bearing. But I realized the sound is more from the front of the car. Probably doing to be my wheel bearings too. I don't know if the race need to be replaced either?

How would a person determine if the race needs replacing also?

Thanks from New Mexico,
Joseph Segura

Just fun speculating on social media. Need to pull it apart and look at it. Repacking bearings used to be part of routine brake maintenance. Ignored these days, I guess.



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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Ever stop to think and forget to start again?

hi arty b- wow youre right repacking wheel bearings has fallen by the wayside. older tanks used to mandate repacking front wheel bearings every 10k miles using fibrous grease which later was replaced by that grease that looked like peanut butter(lithium?). did it many times on fords and dodges. used to help uncle moe do it on his 48 packard. those parts you pictured look real bad : scored race, busted cage and looks like the cup is gone with the wind. imagine if your left front was smoking and locked up on that dark desert highway. happened to me. regards oldduke

I suppose I should explain the picture.

I did explain it some 15 years ago. Best of my recollection, it was my daughter's car, and the noise it made occurred on right hand turns. It was a driver's side (left hand) wheel if I'm remembering. I should look it up, but feeling lazy tonight.

Believe me, it was scary to look at. That's why I took the picture. I hoped it would spur others to pay attention.

One question... Why would anyone replace a bearing without replacing its race?
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Art Benstein upwind of Stinking Creek

That must have been a real screamer!

The photo of the race in Art's post is far worse than any I've ever seen come off a car. It would be pure foolishness not to replace the race when replacing the bearing. Any grooves, scratches or severe discoloration is reason to replace the race.
A bad front bearing will often change intensity of sound if you swing the steering wheel right to left while on a smooth road.
It's important to pack the bearing properly. Smearing grease on the outside is not nearly good enough. Put a glob of grease in the palm of one hand - put two or three fingers of your other hand through the center of the bearing and then dip edge the section of bearing opposite your fingers into the edge of the glob with a pressing motion. Take small bites from the glob until you see grease squeezing through the rollers and exit at the top. Now move your grip to the next section and do the same till you've worked your way all around the bearing.
It is usually the inner bearing that takes the brunt of the load. Just popping out the outer bearing for greasing is not doing a thorough job. -- Dave