A while back I had a post on here about changing my ball joints and wheel bearing. My right wheel bearing. I replaced the bearing and have noticed that ever since when I go around exit ramps and all I get loud erratic bangs and vibrations. Sounds like the wheel is going to fall off. I'm assuming I just have a bad wheel bearing. This is the new bearing I replaced less then a month ago. Any ideas? Thanks

 

2 or 4 wheel drive? If 4... did you torque the axle nut to 180-200 ft. lbs.?

 

Possible the bearing is just junk. I had a 97 grand am that i went through 3 wheel bearings in 6 weeks. The store told me something else was wrong. Got one from another part store and never had a problem after. On another note, wheel bearings usually make grinding or howling noises rather than a clunk or bang when bad. Might want to jack it up and see if there is any movement in the wheel.

 

stop driving it until you know for sure what's wrong.
you really don't want the wheel to fall off.

2wd or 4wd ?
one test is to grab the top of the tire and shake it in/out with all your might. on a 4wd or 00-01? 2wd there should be zero movement. on a 2wd with tapered bearing you'll have a smidgen of play.

next test is to get underneath it and pry around with a prybar, or an assistant at the steering wheel.

 

2001 4x4 sport. I am going to check to make sure it is torqued enough.

 

If it isn't, it is already too late. if the bearing is sloppy, and making rude noises, it needs replaced.

 

The wheel bearing is inside the wheel hub, correct?

 

Hub and bearings are replaced as a unit. Unfortunately..... not precisely cheap, and if you have 4wal, get ready to take out another mortgage on the house....

 

I took the truck into the shop and had it checked out and had them try to find what was up with the wheel bearing or what was making that noise. The shop told me the front suspension was bad and the shocks and struts, front sway bar, tie rods and rear suspension. I was like awesome give me back my truck. Took it to a shop I trust. They said that the front suspensdion mite be bad when they calle me but said they were still checing it out. They called later on and say all was good everything was tight including the wheel bearing and that they couldn't get the truck to duplicate the noise. I drove it later that day all seemed well. Now the last few days I have only hear the noise very little and its mild but when going to the left on the highway, so loaded all the weight on the outer wheel I have a sound like something is banging or vibrating. Any suggestions.

 

Outer U-joint? Ball Joint? Still may be a bad bearing...... Generally, if it only makes noise while loaded, like, being on the outside of a corner..... that's a bad bearing.