Checking Wheel Bearings

================== You can check axial play with a dial indicator, but suggest first try turning slightly at different speeds to cause the vehicle weight to transfer from side to side. If you're hearing a wheel bearing noise as opposed to some other driveline whine, the noise should change as the weight transfers and shifts from side to side.

Does the pitch change as speed changes?

snipped-for-privacy@aol.com wrote:

Wheel bearing noise gets progressively worse and changes in loudness over gentle undulations in the road as the weight on said bearing changes with suspension travel, but differential gear noise (pinion and crownwheel) will come in at certain speeds, and doesnt change loudness, as a rule. My '96 has some diff hum, and it sounds the same as you have described. If it is diff, its not a problem as long as it doesnt change in loudness or character. A diff which is self destructing will give plenty of warning :-)

Jason

Another TN Camry member had a wheel bearing fail at low mileage so it is possible for it to go bad and the dealer to fix it. If a wheel bearing it will get louder as the mileage adds up.

As Daniel states the dealer can check runout with a indicator, it is all in the service manual.

Would still check the tires as this seemed to happen with the rotation. Tires can start making noise as they wear.

There are several ways to check wheel bearings.With your running car put your hand on the bumper and see if it vibrates you will be able to tell, when you are going fairly fast does your car sound like a train and jack up your car a little bit and see if your tire has play in it.