Rear Wheel Bearing Hub Assembly

A noise from the drive train in a front wheel drive car can be difficult to locate. CV joints and wheel bearings may cause similar noises. It is easy though to isolate them so you can hear the difference. Remember a torn CV boot will cause a CV joint to be contaminated and then be quickly ruined.

1. The Outer CV Joint: Road test the car, and listen for a metallic click noise from the front as the car is driven slowly in a tight circle with the steering at full lock. A click noise indicates a worn outer CV joint.

2. The Inner CV Joint: If a test drive at normal driving speed causes a vibration upon acceleration that is felt through the car, the inner CV may be worn.

3. The Wheel Bearing: Road test the car and listen for a groan from the front bearings. The noise will increase in a turn when the worn bearing has the most load. So if the right bearing is bad it will howl in a left-hand turn.

Each assembly does one wheel.