I last cleaned my wheel bearing way back in the 90s. I last cleaned our Chimney early 70s.I'm positively the last person to ask that. To me, that sounds the same as "Do people no longer sweep their chimneys?"
Try jacking the car up and spin each of the front wheels They should spin quite easily, but if not the wheel bearing would be suspect.
The only sensible reply hereI advise leaving it to the experts to check properly i.e. a qualified motor mechanic.
It depends what is wrong with the bearing. It would determine which corner of the car the noise is coming from. To test the bearing for play, jack it up, hold the tyre at top and bottom and try to rock it backwards and forwards, rotate the wheel through 90 degs and grab top and bottom again and try to rock the wheel backwards and forwards again, if there is movement it's likely to be a worn bearing but could also be movement in another part of the suspension / steering. If there is no movement in trying to rock the wheel but the noise is coming from that wheel, it's likely to be the inner shaft bearing. Which ever side bearing is making the noise, get the opposite side done at the same time, sods law is if just one side is done the other will need replacing a few months down the line and mean another visit to the garage.That is NOT how you check a wheel bearing and I advise leaving it to the experts to check properly i.e. a qualified motor mechanic.
It depends what is wrong with the bearing. It would determine which corner of the car the noise is coming from. To test the bearing for play, jack it up, hold the tyre at top and bottom and try to rock it backwards and forwards, rotate the wheel through 90 degs and grab top and bottom again and try to rock the wheel backwards and forwards again, if there is movement it's likely to be a worn bearing but could also be movement in another part of the suspension / steering. If there is no movement in trying to rock the wheel but the noise is coming from that wheel, it's likely to be the inner shaft bearing. Which ever side bearing is making the noise, get the opposite side done at the same time, sods law is if just one side is done the other will need replacing a few months down the line and mean another visit to the garage.
So anyway, the official diagnosis was that the front offside wheel bearing had seized. Thanks to everyone for their input.
You'd have thought someone might have guessed bearing wouldn't you?
strange first post .... and also, untrueOne guy who is a mechanic has suggested cv joints
strange first post .... and also, untrue
It was a wonder that the wheel would turn if the bearing had seized. Wonder if it was a lack of grease or just worn? Also happens if the wheel bearing nut is over tight, or not tightened correctly. too much play.So anyway, the official diagnosis was that the front offside wheel bearing had seized. Thanks to everyone for their input.