Checking Wheel Hub Bearing Play

The front wheels run on double-row ball bearings. On front-wheel-drive models, the rear uses angular contact tapered roller bearings. On all-wheel-drive vehicles, the rear uses the same ball bearings as the front. They are grease-packed and usually last well beyond 100,000 km. Defective bearings are noticed by noise while driving. If the noise becomes louder, for example when turning right, the left wheel hub bearing is likely defective.

PROCEDURE

Rock each firmly grounded wheel in turn about its vertical axis.

With good bearings there should be practically no play.

If play is noticeable, have an assistant press the brake pedal firmly and rock the wheel again: if play is no longer felt, the cause is only the bearing.

If play still exists, the wheel suspension must be checked.

Now raise the vehicle and turn the wheel: if it turns with difficulty or in jerks, the bearing is installed too tight. If you clearly hear grinding, the bearing must be replaced.

Note: The rear wheel hub bearings of front-wheel-drive models can be adjusted. The rear bearings of all-wheel-drive models, as well as the bearings of all front wheels, are not adjustable.