Suspect a bad wheel bearing

[Swift101]

Hey Everyone,

So yesterday on my way home I hit a pretty decent pothole, next thing I know my car is making a humming/growling noise at 50MPH (most noticeable on freshly paved roads). I'm having my mechanic check it out on Saturday. The tire looks fine, no bubbles but it could be something I'm missing, my car is equipped with low profile 18 inch wheels, which have been a curse living in NYC.

Could an impact/repeated impacts cause a wheel bearing to fail prematurely? I also hear noise when coming to a stop but its more like tire roar. Any other ideas what it might be? On a side note I have Toyo Proxes 4 Plus tires.

-Thanks

 

[Donald]

I suspect other things before a bearing that was damaged by hitting a pothole. Tire damage that you cannot see.

I am not sure why people get low profile wheels. Seems few benefits and many negatives such as easy to damage the rim and/or blowout tires.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Seems few benefits and many negatives such as easy to damage the rim and/or blowout tires.


Seems NO benefits.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: Donald

I am not sure why people get low profile wheels. Seems few benefits and many negatives such as easy to damage the rim and/or blowout tires.


The car comes with the low-profile wheels.

Its very possible its a wheel bearing. Usually you hear it throughout the range, not just at one specific speed. I'd probably rotate the tires first and see if the noise moves/changes.

 

[Swift101]

Originally Posted By: Donald
I suspect other things before a bearing that was damaged by hitting a pothole. Tire damage that you cannot see.

I am not sure why people get low profile wheels. Seems few benefits and many negatives such as easy to damage the rim and/or blowout tires.


My next car will have regular sized wheels for sure, I used to drive a 99 Camry with 14 inch wheels, I could drive over any surface. They only look nice but otherwise they cause problems.

The car exhibits no other symptoms, no vibrations and it tracks straight.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: Donald
Seems few benefits and many negatives such as easy to damage the rim and/or blowout tires.


Seems NO benefits.
But it's "kuel". If you live on the left coast or down south.

 

[geeman789]

Originally Posted By: Donald


I am not sure why people get low profile wheels. Seems few benefits and many negatives such as easy to damage the rim and/or blowout tires.


Looked at a new DODGE DART... basic small econo car, reasonably priced ... and it came stock with a 225/40/18 tire, VERY short sidewall. It's all about looks... and most people think bigger wheels / low profile tires look better... so car makers put them on...

And, a shorter sidewall is typically more responsive when turning and more stable in performance driving... so a car can "feel..." better on a lower profile tire. Important on that 10 minute test drive...

They don't seem to care how practical they are on real world roads, however. Rough, pot-holed roads EAT low profile tires / wheels...

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: Donald
Seems few benefits and many negatives such as easy to damage the rim and/or blowout tires.


Seems NO benefits.
But it's "kuel". If you live on the left coast or down south.


My Jeep and pickup sometimes take a beating from the winter potholes, I can imagine a vehicle with low profile wheels.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Happy to have 70 series on the rogue. This is NOT a terrible handling compromise on this type of vehicle.
I did enjoy the crisp turn-in and predictable handling of my '05 Suzuki Aerio Wagon on 40's with Falken Ziex tires.

 

[JTK]

Sure sounds like a bad wheel hub assembly.

In regards to no rubber and all aluminum, it's hard to avoid it these days unfortunately, unless you can fit it with an aftermarket setup.

 

[Swift101]

Quick Update: My mechanic checked it out and it turns out it's the right rear bearing. I'm having the dealer take care of it since the car is still under warranty.

 

[Kestas]

We sometimes see bearings like this come back from warranty for our examination. One half of the raceway will show brinell marks.