Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Bad wheel bearing...can this cause vibs???

My '95 SE with 57,000 miles has a slight vibration at highway speeds (60-80 mph). It is slight and varies in harshness but is VERY annoying. I was checking the front end out last night and noticed a little play in the right front wheel. My brother was watching the suspension while I moved the wheel at the 12 & 6 o'clock position...no movement in the suspension but the wheel itself did move slightly. I have noticed a slight moaning noise lately and it changes with speed. Could a bad wheel bearing cause vibrations at highway speeds?

Yes, and the RH will usually go first because it hits more potholes and water. I know, I lived in PA for 30 years...

yeah, the bearing is toast. They aren't expensive, less than $50. Its the labor that costs. I helped change one just this weekend. There's a lot to do just to get to the bearing, but for someone who knows what they are doing and has the right tools for the job, it should easily be able to be done in 4 hours or less.

Now that the beaing is loose, it will wear all the more faster. I suggest changing the bearing as soon as possible to avoid any causing any damage.

I'm personally skeptical that anyone can differentiate between ball joint and wheel bearing play by trying to shake wheel. To me the ear is the diagnostic tool for early bad bearing detection, long before wobble is evident.
If noise varies when driving between left and right curves, you have a bearing problem. Bearing noise increases when loaded (i.e., when car leaning in curve), decreases when unloaded.