Wheel Bearings Diagnosis Sealed

Tools Required

J 8001 Dial Indicator

The following procedure describes how to inspect the wheel bearing/hub for excessive looseness. If you are inspecting the wheel bearing/hub for excessive runout, refer to Tire and Wheel Assembly Runout Measurement - On-Vehicle in Vibration Diagnosis and Correction.

Important: If you are inspecting the FRONT wheel bearing/hub, support the front of the vehicle by the lower control arms in order to load the lower ball joint.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Mount and secure the J 8001 to a stand.
3. Ensure that the J 8001 contacts the vertical surface of the wheel as close as possible to the top wheel stud.
4. Push and pull on the TOP of the tire.
5. Inspect the total movement indicated by the J 8001 .
6. If the measurement exceeds 0.127 mm (0.005 in), replace the wheel bearing/hub. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement in Front Suspension.

Wheel Bearings Diagnosis Tapered

Tapered Roller Bearing Diagnosis

The following procedure describes how to inspect the wheel bearing for excessive looseness.

If excessive wheel bearing looseness is present, adjust the wheel bearings. Refer to Wheel Bearing Adjustment .

If excessive looseness is still present after adjustment, inspect the wheel bearings.

Consider the following factors when diagnosing the wheel bearing condition:

Abrasive Roller Wear

The pattern on the races and the rollers is caused by fine abrasives.

1. Clean all of the parts and the housings.
2. Check the seals and the bearings.
3. Replace leaky seals, rough, or noisy bearings. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Abrasive Step Wear

The pattern on the roller ends is caused by fine abrasives.

1. Clean all of the parts and the housings.
2. Check the seals and the bearings.
3. Replace leaky seals, rough, or noisy bearings. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Galling

The metal smears on the roller ends are due to overheating, lubricant failure, or lubricant overload.

1. Check the seals.
2. Check for proper lubrication.
3. Clean all of the parts and the housings.
4. Replace the bearing. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Etching

The bearing surfaces appear gray or grayish black in color, with related etching away of material usually at roller spacing.

1. Check the seals.
2. Check for proper lubrication.
3. Clean all of the parts and the housings.
4. Replace the bearings. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Bent Cage

When a cage is damaged due to improper handling or improper tool usage. Replace the bearing. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Bent Cage

The cage may be damaged due to improper handling or improper tool usage. Replace the bearing. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Cage Wear

The wear around the outside diameter of the cage and the roller pockets is caused by abrasive material or inefficient lubrication.

1. Check the seals.
2. Clean all the parts and the housings.
3. Replace the bearings. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Indentations

The surface depressions on the race and the rollers are caused by hard particles of foreign matter.

1. Check the seals.
2. Clean all the parts and the housings.
3. Replace the bearings. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Frettage

The corrosion caused by small relative movement of parts with no lubrication.

1. Check the seals.
2. Check for proper lubrication.
3. Clean all the parts and the housings.
4. Replace the bearings. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Smears

The smearing of the metal is due to slippage. Slippage can be caused by the following factors:

If this condition occurs, perform the following:

1. Check the seals.
2. Check for proper fit.
3. Check for proper lubrication.
4. Clean all the parts and the housings.
5. Replace the bearings. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Stain Discoloration

The discoloration on the bearings is caused by incorrect lubrication or moisture and ranges in color from light brown to black. Reuse the bearing if you can remove the stains with light polishing and there is no evidence of overheating.

If this condition occurs, perform the following:

1. Check the seals.
2. Clean all the parts and the housings.
3. Replace the bearings, if necessary. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Heat Discoloration

The heat discoloration on the bearings ranges from faint yellow to dark blue and results from overload or an incorrect lubricant. Excessive heat causes softening of the races or the rollers. In order to check for loss of temper on the races and the rollers, perform a file test. A file drawn over a tempered part will grab and cut the metal and fail the file test. A file drawn over a hard part will glide with no metal cutting.

If overheating damage is indicated, perform the following:

1. Check the seals.
2. Clean all the parts and the housings.
3. Replace the bearings. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Misalignment

The outer race is misaligned due to a foreign object.

1. Clean all the parts and the housings.
2. Ensure the races are properly seated.
3. Replace the bearing. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Cracked Inner Race

The race is cracked due to improper fit, cocking, or poor bearing seats.

1. Clean all the parts and the housings.
2. Ensure the races are properly seated.
3. Replace the bearing. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Fatigue Spalling

The surface is flaked with metal due to bearing fatigue.

1. Clean all the parts and the housings.
2. Replace the bearing. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .

Brinelling

The surface indentations in the race way are caused by the rollers under impact loading or from vibration while the bearing is not rotating.

1. Clean all the parts and the housings.
2. Replace the bearing. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .