What are the signs of failing wheel bearings?

Oban · **Joined:** Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:48 pm **Posts:** 64

Hi all!

I noticed lately that my KK makes some grinding noise (it basically sounds like the ESP kicking in) when turning a sharp corner at speed (for example, when turning into a side street in between oncoming traffic).

I took a hard look and noticed that it is not the ESP kicking in. That was my original thought as I have the OME lift and oversized AT3's.

After some research in the forum, could the noise come from failing wheel bearings? I have 65k miles on the KK; its a 2012.

Any way to test? I rotated tires last Sunday and did not notice any play...

Thoughts anyone?

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2015 8:18 pm

Most times if a bearing is going out you will notice it making a noise when turning one way or the other. Generally both do not go out at the same time.
Notice if it makes a difference turning right or left.
My originals lasted over 200,000 miles , but then anything can wear out at 20,000 -400,000 :roll:

Oban · **Joined:** Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:48 pm **Posts:** 64

So is it arguably save to assume that it is a bearing that needs replacing? Or could it, based on my description above, be another part that is more likely?

Based on all I read, my guess is the bearing... but then again, could this be caused by the OME lift (I somewhat doubt that as I never heard it before and I run the lift since Fall 2014).

I am not too worried about replacing the hub assembly as it is a fairly easy job, but I don't want to throw parts at it if there is no need.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Wed Mar 18, 2015 11:48 pm

They can fail at any mileage.
Are you the original owner? I'm pretty sure they can fail early if 4 wheel drive is used often when NOT needed. Could be wrong on that.
Mine were replaced at somewhere around 40K. Very expensive when done at the dealership.
Mine sounded like a helicopter when you got to about 25mph. Could just be the tires you're hearing???
Every once in a while I could feel the wheel jerk on slow windy turns.
Turn at full lock in circles in a parking lot going left, right, and the same in reverse. See if you hear anything.
From what I've read, you can test the bearings for play when you jack it up. Hold the tire/wheel at 9 and 3 and see if there is any movement.

pshivers · **Posted:** Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:04 am

9 and 3 will tell you about play in the tierods. 12 and 6 tells you about wheel bearings along with 9 and 3.

Oban · **Joined:** Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:48 pm **Posts:** 64

So I checked the wheel bearings via the 12 and 6 o'clock position. I didn't notice any play. However, I do still have the click-click noise from time to time during sharp / fast turns.

Could this be the CV axle assembly / CV joint making this noise? I still think it is not the ESP as the dash light doesn't come on.

Is there any good way to test the CV's? The boots look good and intact (no leaks, no grease spill). I am currently running the OME lift, so the angle shouldn't be all too bad.

Any thoughts?

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

My ESP goes off often without the light flashing at me...

Oban · **Joined:** Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:48 pm **Posts:** 64

NAMoulton1 wrote:

My ESP goes off often without the light flashing at me...

Anybody else is experiencing this as well? This seems odd to me. I always (maybe falsely) assumed that the ESP light always flashes when the ESP is active. Would seem somewhat logical...

I really don't want to throw parts at the KK if there is no need.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2015 10:30 pm

I had a CV go bad on mine a couple of years back, and just this summer I had a wheel bearing go in my sister's car when I was driving it on a long trip. They definitely felt and sounded different. Neither is anything like the ESP engaging. What you need is for someone who knows the difference to take a ride in your KK and get a second opinion. Where are you located?

The best descriptions I can come up with from my experience are:

Bad CV / Intermediate shaft: feels like a front wheel is out of balance or out of round. Begins to be noticeable on the highway, but later is noticeable even at slow speed. It is a clicking sound, and it shakes the vehicle at speed, but the steering wheel does not shake.

Bad wheel bearing: starts out as a rotational whomp whomp whomp sound, but later sounds like a weed whipper. Again, begins to be noticeable only at speed, but later is noticeable around town too. The steering wheel on my sister's car shook, but that was a front wheel drive car and I'm not sure if that would be the case in the KK.

ESP engaging: a grinding sound that occurs in lifted KK's when turning sharp corners, like into a driveway, especially if there is a bump or curb in the turn. It really sounds like metal grinding against a stone, but you can't feel it in the jeep at all. No shaking, no rotational clicking. It is basically the ABS on one wheel engaging. From what I can tell, if it goes on for more than a split second, the ABS light illuminates, but it can be there and then disappear quickly sometimes before the light comes on. I know which intersections usually set off my ESP, but if I press the ESP OFF button before taking the corner, it will not engage. This would be a good test to see if ESP is the culprit, especially if you can predict where in your daily commute you will usually get the noise.

Oban · **Joined:** Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:48 pm **Posts:** 64

Chicago Area

lfhoward · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2015 11:01 pm

Oban wrote:

Chicago Area

Shoot, that's a little far for me.

But I edited my post above to try and describe my experiences. Hope it helps.

Oban · **Joined:** Sun Apr 06, 2014 2:48 pm **Posts:** 64

lfhoward wrote:

ESP engaging: a grinding sound that occurs in lifted KK's when turning sharp corners, like into a driveway, especially if there is a bump or curb in the turn. It really sounds like metal grinding against a stone, but you can't feel it in the jeep at all. No shaking, no rotational clicking. It is basically the ABS on one wheel engaging. From what I can tell, if it goes on for more than a split second, the ABS light illuminates, but it can be there and then disappear quickly sometimes before the light comes on. I know which intersections usually set off my ESP, but if I press the ESP OFF button before taking the corner, it will not engage. This would be a good test to see if ESP is the culprit, especially if you can predict where in your daily commute you will usually get the noise.

I will do this! Now that we are finally free of snow and I have multiple dry days in a row I am going to test this with ESP on vs off. I know 3 particular turns / intersections where I get the ABS noise for sure (without the dash light illuminating).

I will try and report back.

Thanks for the explanation. I think this gets me closer to the culprit.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2015 10:32 am

I'll add some information.
When I predicted mine were failing, the local Goodyear couldn't figure it out, even with putting it on a lift and taking a drive with me. They were uncertain and didn't want to replace it if they weren't sure.
I was a bit skeptical at how quickly the dealership diagnosed it, but sure enough it was fixed after new wheel bearings were installed on the front driver and passenger side.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2015 11:06 am

Just for more proof on the esp, mine sometimes kicks on without the light as well.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2015 3:34 pm

I forgot to mention I remember being able to "feel" through the floorboard that the bearings were on their way out.
Try removing your floor mats and see if you can feel what I'm talking about.
This was BEFORE my Jeep was lifted.

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2015 6:53 pm

Gageraid wrote:

I forgot to mention I remember being able to "feel" through the floorboard that the bearings were on their way out.
Try removing your floor mats and see if you can feel what I'm talking about.
This was BEFORE my Jeep was lifted.

Oban, Just FYI, I could feel the busted CV through the floorboards too. But you can't feel the ESP kick in, you just hear it.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Thu Apr 09, 2015 8:58 pm

It may be a good idea to sit in the passenger seat as someone else drive's the Jeep. That way you can see if it's present on the passenger side as well.
Maybe try driving around with ESP off and see if the same problems exist.

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Fri Apr 10, 2015 2:07 pm

Oban wrote:

NAMoulton1 wrote:

My ESP goes off often without the light flashing at me...

Anybody else is experiencing this as well? This seems odd to me. I always (maybe falsely) assumed that the ESP light always flashes when the ESP is active. Would seem somewhat logical...

I really don't want to throw parts at the KK if there is no need.

Same here. Ive only had 1 alignment since my lift about 7k miles ago and am assuming its out of alignment. Especially since I wheel mine hard.

What are the signs of failing wheel bearings?

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