Wheel Bearing Noise vs Tire Noise

When a customer complains about a roaring, howling, or humming noise coming from their vehicle, it’s usually either wheel bearing noise or tire noise. Both sound similar, especially at higher speeds, but diagnosing the right cause can save a lot of labor and help ensure customer satisfaction.

This guide is designed to help you explain the issue to customers and speed up your diagnostic process in the shop.

Step-By-Step: How To Diagnose Wheel Bearing Noise vs Tire Noise

Here’s a quick workflow you or your techs can use to determine the root of the noise:

• Test drive the vehicle. Try to isolate whether the noise is coming from the front or rear. If possible, have someone ride in the back.
• Inspect tire wear. Run your hand over the tire surface. Look for:
  • Cupping or sharp edges (uneven tire wear)
  • Tread feathering or flat spots
• Check suspension components. Uneven wear may point to:
  • Worn ball joints
  • Bad tie rods or struts
  • Tire alignment issues
• Spin the wheels with the vehicle raised. Listen for wheel bearing failure sounds or compare sides for differences in noise or resistance.

What Does A Bad Wheel Bearing Sound Like?

Common noises that indicate a bad wheel bearing include:

• Growling or humming, especially increasing with speed
• Grinding noise from the wheel area
• Knocking or clicking when turning at low to moderate speeds
• Squealing or rumbling that worsens during acceleration or turns

Use this simple steering test to narrow it down:

Turn the wheel slightly left or right while driving. If the noise gets louder or changes pitch while turning, it’s likely a wheel bearing noise.

Common Symptoms Of Tire Noise

When a tire makes noise, the sound often increases with speed but won’t necessarily change when you steer. Key tire noise causes to look for include:

• Chopped or cupped tread
• Under-inflated tires
• Improperly aligned tires
• Flat spots from long-term parking
• Highly worn tires – they make more noise than new tires

Some sounds referred to as ‘road hum’ or ‘tire hum’ are also common and can usually be attributed to tires. Look out for these clues to know if tire hum is the noise heard while driving:

• Vibration in the steering wheel
• Road noise from tires that doesn’t change on turns
• Noise that occurs at highway speeds and stays consistent

Common Signs Of Abnormal Tire Wear

A wheel bearing failure can lead to abnormal tire wear – and – worn tires can increase the stress on wheel bearings. If you’ve got both symptoms, noise and uneven wear, it’s worth inspecting both components thoroughly – they may be feeding off one another.

Diligent tire examination is a great way to catch problems in the early stages. It’s always best to watch for:

• Unevenly worn or feathered tread
• Tire vibration
• Visible flat spots

Most Common Symptoms of a Bad Wheel Bearing

To keep an eye out for wheel bearing issues, watch for the following:

• Front wheel bearing noise
• Loose or wandering steering
• Vibration felt through the seat or wheel
• Vehicle pulling to one side
• Free play or movement when rotating the wheel

Wheel Bearing Noise Vs Tire Noise

Explaining the difference between wheel bearing noise vs tire noise can help your customers feel confident in your diagnosis – and helps you avoid unnecessary parts replacement. Use the sounds, the steering test, and the visual inspection as your diagnostic roadmap.

If you’re sourcing parts for your shop or fleet, remember: using premium GMB parts means fewer problems down the road.

Why It Pays to Use Quality Wheel Bearings And Hub Assemblies

If the problem is a bad wheel bearing, make sure to replace it with a high-quality part. As you may be well aware already, inferior bearings can lead to:

• Comebacks and lost labor time
• Unsafe driving conditions
• Poor customer experience

That’s why shops trust GMB for OE-quality wheel hub assemblies and bearings. GMB parts are designed for reliability, durability, and performance. Key for reducing warranty issues and keeping customers on the road.

How Much Do Wheel Bearings and Hub Assemblies Cost?

The price of replacement wheel bearings and hubs varies based on the make and model of the vehicle. On average, individual wheel bearings usually cost under $100 at a retail level, while complete wheel hub assemblies typically cost a few hundred dollars.

Can I Replace Wheel Bearings and Hub Assemblies Myself?

Your clients may want to know whether they can replace faulty wheel bearings or hub assemblies on their own. While this can be a DIY job, it requires a decent level of mechanical skill, specific tools, and an understanding of the process to avoid damaging other components.

In most cases, it is preferable for the auto shop or a qualified mechanic to carry out the work. This will ensure that the parts are fitted correctly, reducing the chances of the client having issues once the bearings or hubs have been replaced.

OEM Quality Wheel Bearings and Hub Assemblies From GMB

GMB has been an industry-leading manufacturer of OE and Aftermarket automotive products since 1943, with decades of experience producing high-performance hub assemblies, water pumps, U-joints and more. We manufacture every hub and bearing to OE standards so all components, including ABS and traction control systems, work correctly.

If you suspect an issue with your wheel bearing and hub assembly or need a quality replacement, check out our catalog or contact our team for expert advice!