Front wheel bearing hub replacement?

JMHPANDA47

MEMBER
2014 CHEVROLET SPARK
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
81,500 MILES

A few months ago I started getting this loud sound when driving from what sounds like thee back passenger side. I bought new tires and my son said it was the wheel bearing so he changed that and the hub, but it still makes the sound. It gets louder until I reach about 60 then you can't really hear it I'm stumped but don't want to go to a mechanic and have him try to tell me it's more than it is. My son said maybe axle bent but he couldn't see that it was. He works on his own vehicle and jet engines but he has no clue.

9 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,883 POSTS

Is the noise a banging or squeaking? Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can hear the noise? That would be great. You can upload it here with your response.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Tuesday, May 11th, 2021 AT 10:15 AM

JMHPANDA47

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I'm sending a video of the noise because you can't hear it if the car is just idling. Think of a jet engine it keeps getting louder. When I reach about 60 you can't hear it much, but at lower speeds it's loud. I hope you can hear okay if not I will try and take just audio.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Monday, May 24th, 2021 AT 8:04 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,883 POSTS

Did you upload the video? It can take some time on mobile.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 AT 10:50 AM

JMHPANDA47

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Sorry thought it had uploaded. I tried to do it with the window down but you could hear wind too much. Hopefully, this works.

Video (Click to make bigger)

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 AT 1:21 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,883 POSTS

Thanks for the video. that does sounds like a bearing. is it possible the noise is coming from the other side? The tire is new did it change the noise at all? Did the bearing change anything? If the tire are scalloped it will cause this noise. Sounds like this can be tricky sounds like the rear but it is coming from the front maybe? See the guide below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-car-tires-work

This shows cupping and other tire conditions that cause noise.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 10:47 AM

JMHPANDA47

MEMBER
5 POSTS

It's funny but the sound seems louder after new tires were put on. When the sound first stated, my son did take the tire off and it showed more wear on the inside like it was rubbing against something. That is how he came to the conclusion it was a wheel bearing. It's hard because yes, it sounds like it's the rear but could be front.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 AT 12:31 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,883 POSTS

When going down the road gently push the steering wheel a little right, then a little left to see if the sound changes. If so I would replace both front bearing hubs which is common. Here is how the job is done in the diagrams below. Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Images (Click to make bigger)

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Friday, May 28th, 2021 AT 10:44 AM

JMHPANDA47

MEMBER
5 POSTS

It's funny you say that because when I turn to like go around the bend it does not make the sound. That's why it was confusing me so much. I thank you so much and will absolutely let you know.
God bless

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Friday, May 28th, 2021 AT 2:25 PM

KEN L