How To Tell If Rear Axle Bearing Is Bad. Bad axle bearings often make a growling or rumbling sound at highway speeds. Most rear wheel bearings are designed to perform for approximately 150000 miles though improper adjustments contamination from foreign objects or a loss of grease can wear down the bearing in a shorter amount of time.

The bearing I removed was in great shape. The axle bearing surface measured a consistent 1400 all the way around. Reassembly is the easy part.
Most rear wheel bearings are designed to perform for approximately 150000 miles though improper adjustments contamination from foreign objects or a loss of grease can wear down the bearing in a shorter amount of time.
The bearing surface on the axle shaft was a smooth and dull grey. To reassemble you will need a shop press and a piece of tubing or something big enough to fit around the axle shaft all the way up to the spot where the snap-ring clips in. What Is a Wheel Bearing. The easiest way to pull those hub and bearings off is to take the 3 12 point bolts output the wheel back on and tighten the lug nutsThen pry the wheel offPut the end of a big pry bar against the lower ball joint.

