Can a bad wheel bearing cause uneven tire wear? This is a question you might have asked yourself once or several times.
In this article, we get to dive deep into whether a bad wheel bearing can cause uneven tire wear or not.
Read on!
Can a Bad Wheel Bearing Cause Uneven Tire Wear
Wheel bearings are steel balls that connect the wheel and axle and are held in place by a metal ring.
They are very important parts of the wheel because they take part in the car’s braking, suspension, and steering systems. They also ensure the wheels can rotate freely with minimum resistance from friction.
So, the real question here is whether, in the case of a defect in these wheel bearings, it is possible for them to cause uneven tire wear.
But first things first, what is uneven tire wear? This is where one set of tires or just one tire wears out faster than the other tires because of a defect on some wheel component.
What may cause this uneven tire wear? As stated earlier, wheel bearings do have a very active role in car steering control systems.
The most common causes of these defect are bad wheel alignment, overinflation or underinflation, and unbalanced wheels, which all, in close analysis, seems to affect this very car steering control system.
In particular, the defect of bad wheel alignment and unbalanced wheels do have a close connection with the wheel bearings.
This is because these wheel bearings are what connect the wheel and axle, which are crucial parts in a car’s wheel rotation process and what constitutes the wheel balance and alignment process in assembly.
Therefore, a bad wheel bearing can cause unevenness by causing wheel imbalance and misalignment.
Also Read: Can a Wheel Fall off From a Bad Wheel Bearing?
Do Bad Wheel Bearings Affect Alignment?
In our previous discussion, it is possible for a bad wheel bearing to be the cause of uneven tire wear.
Moreover, one factor contributing to this fact-finding is either a direct or indirect relationship between the wheel bearings and the wheel alignment process.
But what is this wheel alignment? This is the process of adjusting the vehicle’s suspension systems and wheel angles to ensure that the car moves in a straightforward manner, reducing the tire’s level. The elephant in the room is now the query of whether bad wheel bearings can affect this wheel alignment.
Well, the wheel bearings are at the core of the suspension system, the same in the alignment process, as they are responsible for keeping the wheels firmly attached to the vehicle and allowing them to rotate freely.
Wheel bearings also connect the wheel and axle; therefore, a defect in these wheel bearings will affect their structure and function, consequently affecting wheel alignment.
What Causes Tires To Wear Out Unevenly?
We have seen that a bad wheel bearing can be a cause of uneven tire wear. So, what is this uneven tire wear? This is a condition in which one wheel degrades at a faster rate than the other, although they are of the same type and fitted at the time.
So, what causes tires to wear out unevenly?
Firstly, unbalanced tires are a major cause. This can be due to a mistake in assembly or some defect in some parts such as the wheel bearing. This causes the car to be wobbly and leans more on one side, causing uneven wear.
Another similar cause is damaged wheels from careless driving, which causes vibration during movement and more stress on one part causing uneven wear of the tires.
Uneven tire pressure, over or under inflation, of the tires is another cause. This causes the car to be wobbly, causing unpredictable rates of the tire wearing out.
Lastly, bad wheel alignment and worn-out suspension are other causes. Worn-out shocks cause the wheel tire to get shaky, causing it to wear out. Here is our recommendation of some of the best suspensions and shock absorbers.
Several types of uneven tire wear can be caused by a bad wheel bearing, including:
| Type of Uneven Tire Wear | Possible Causes | Wheel Bearing Involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Feathering | – Misaligned wheels – Worn-out suspension components -Underinflated tires – Bad wheel bearings | Bad wheel bearings can cause feathering on tires |
| Cupping | – Worn-out shock absorbers – Bent or worn suspension components – Overinflated tires – Bad wheel bearings | Bad wheel bearings can cause cupping on tires |
| One-sided wear | – Misaligned wheels – Worn-out suspension components – Uneven tire pressure – Bad wheel bearings | Bad wheel bearings can cause one-sided tire wear |
| Irregular patches | – Hard braking or acceleration – Unbalanced or misaligned wheels – Poor tire quality – Bad wheel bearings | Bad wheel bearings can cause irregular tire wear |
How Do You Diagnose Uneven Tire Wear?
At this point, you know that a bad wheel bearing will cause uneven tire wear, among others, such as bad alignment of the wheels, worn-out suspensions, and improper tire inflation levels.
But how do you exactly get to diagnose uneven tire wear? What are the signs and symptoms of uneven tire wear?
You can guess the most obvious sign, a wobbly vehicle. This wobbliness can be caused by worn-out suspensions, defective wheel bearings, or a bent wheel which all cause uneven tire wear, the visual appearance of the tires is another method. You don’t have to be me to identify worn-out tires.
Another sign of uneven tire wear is increased handling difficulty and production of noises. One way in which you can spot an uneven tire wear problem is if your vehicle starts to produce nauseating noises.
This is usually because one tire is completely worn out and, consequently, the production of the noises. This is usually accompanied by difficulties driving, especially on bends and cutting corners.
Therefore, if you experience any of this, consider checking and replacing your tires.
Conclusion
I bet you feel like a guru on car mechanics, right? Let’s take a recap of what we have learned so far. We have seen that, indeed that a bad wheel bearing can cause uneven tire wear.
This is because wheel bearing performs crucial tasks such as controlling the suspension and taking part in wheel alignment. Therefore damage to the wheel bearing affects the performance of these parts, which ultimately causes uneven tire wear.
The same principle applies to the question of a bad wheel bearing influence on alignment. Damage to the wheel bearing will consequently cause misalignment of the wheel, for it controls the systems.
We have also seen some of the major causes of uneven wear-ous, such as tire pressure, damaged suspensions, bad wheel bearings, and misalignment.
Moreover, we have concluded our discussion by learning how to identify uneven tire wear. Some of the main methods are vibrations, wobbliness, noises, and difficulty in car handling.
Finally, should you experience uneven tire wear, I am confident you can identify the causes and take necessary action, be it yourself or a mechanic.
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I am passionate about all things automotive and have a deep understanding of the topic. As a mechanic, I use my free time to share knowledge of everyday challenges that any car owner can experience – helping you make informed decisions about tires.