Wheel bearing noise is a common issue in the Honda Accord. It can indicate serious problems with the Honda Accord wheel bearings that require prompt attention. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the symptoms, causes, and potential fixes for Honda Accord wheel bearing noise.
Wheel bearings allow the wheels to spin freely on the axle shafts. With extended use, the grease inside the bearings can break down or become contaminated, causing the bearings to wear out. Damaged bearings typically produce noise when rotating, such as grinding, humming, roaring or clicking sounds. Identifying such noises early and replacing worn bearings can prevent extensive repairs down the road.
Symptoms Of Honda Accord Wheel Bearing Noise
Damaged wheel bearings in the Honda Accord manifest through several audible and physical symptoms. Being aware of these signs helps catch bearing issues before they cause extensive damage. Here are the most common symptoms of failing Honda Accord wheel bearings:
Grinding Noise
A grinding or gritty noise from the front or rear wheels is a classic symptom of worn out wheel bearings. As the bearings wear down, the components grind against each other when rotating, producing a harsh grinding sound. The noise gets louder with increasing vehicle speed.
Roaring Noise
Roaring or rumbling noises when accelerating indicate wheel bearing damage, typically in the front. The roar stems from internal bearing components rubbing roughly against each other due to lack of lubrication.
Humming Noise
Humming, droning or whirring noises when driving point to worn out wheel bearings. The rear bearings commonly produce a humming noise. The pitch and volume of the hum increases with speed.
Clicking Sounds When Turning
Damaged front wheel bearings can click or clack when turning the steering left or right. The clicking stems from extra play in the degraded bearings. Sharp bumps may also be felt through the steering wheel.
Popping Noises When Cornering
Similar to clicking, popping noises may emanate from the front wheels when turning at low speeds. This signals deterioration of the front wheel bearings.
Vibrations in Steering Wheel
As the front wheel bearings wear down, it causes imbalance and wobbling in the front wheels. This vibration gets transmitted through the suspension and manifests as vibrations in the steering wheel.
Vehicle Pulling to One Side
Excessively worn bearings on one side can cause that wheel to wobble more, pulling the car towards that side. Determine the affected side based on which direction the car veers.
Uneven Tire Wear
Faulty wheel bearings cause improper wheel alignment, resulting in uneven tire tread wear. Check if only the front or rear tires show irregular wear to identify the bad bearings.
Carefully listen for unusual noises from the wheels and be alert for vibrations through the steering. Address any such symptoms promptly before the bearings fail completely.
Causes Of Honda Accord Wheel Bearing Noise
What leads to premature damage and noise from the Honda Accord wheel bearings? Here are some common causes:
Normal Wear and Tear
With prolonged use, the grease inside wheel bearings degrades and causes wear. The average lifespan of wheel bearings is about 100,000 miles. Honda Accord wheel bearings may start to fail after 5-6 years of use.
Contaminated Grease
Dirt, debris and moisture can contaminate the grease inside the wheel bearings. This leads to excessive friction and wear. Use of low quality grease also contributes to contamination.
Improper Installation
If wheel bearings are installed incorrectly, it can place excessive stress on them leading to premature wear. Proper torquing of the axle nut is also important during installation.
Bent Axle Shaft
A bent axle shaft places uneven pressure on the wheel bearings and causes rapid deterioration. Axle shafts may bend due to hitting road hazards like potholes.
Wheel and Tire Imbalance
Improper wheel balance or bent rims force the bearings to work harder to spin the tires smoothly. This strains the bearings and causes faster wear.
Suspension Problems
Issues in the suspension system like worn ball joints or bushings transmit more road vibrations to the wheel bearings, contributing to noise and damage.
How To Fix Honda Accord Wheel Bearing Noise?
If you notice Honda Accord wheel bearing noise, here are some effective fixes:
Bearing Replacement
Replacing worn bearings is the surest fix for bearing noise. Have a mechanic inspect the bearings and replace any that are worn out. Use Honda OEM bearings for proper fit and longevity.
Grease Replenishment
If the noise is mild, simply replenishing the bearing grease can help. This pushes out contaminants and provides fresh lubrication.
Cleaning
Thoroughly cleaning the wheel hubs and bearings removes dirt and debris. Proper cleaning and re-lubrication can extend the life of bearings.
Wheel Rebalance
Rebalancing the wheels can reduce vibrations and strain on Honda Accord wheel bearings. This helps curb premature wear.
Axle Shaft Replacement
For bent axle shafts, replacement is the only option. Install new OEM Honda axles to prevent bearing damage.
Suspension Repairs
Fix any issues in the suspension, ball joints or bushings to minimize road vibrations passing through the wheel bearings.
Honda Accord Bearing Replacement
When the Honda Accord wheel bearings are damaged beyond repair, replacement is necessary to stop the noise issues. Here are some important steps for replacing worn wheel bearings on a Honda Accord:
Inspect the Bearings – Have a certified mechanic inspect the wheel bearings first to determine if replacement is needed. They will check for play and roughness in the bearings while rocking the wheels.
Buy High Quality Bearings – For Honda Accords, always replace worn bearings with genuine Honda parts. They are engineered to precisely fit Accord wheels. Aftermarket bearings may not last as long.
Remove the Wheels – The wheels need to be taken off to access the wheel bearings. Remove the lug nuts and brake caliper bolts. Use jack stands to lift the car safely.
Remove Brake Components – The brake rotor, caliper bracket and ABS sensor will need to be removed to reveal the wheel hub assembly.
Extract Axle Nut – Use a wrench to loosen and remove the axle nut at the center of the wheel hub. This releases the bearing assembly.
Press Out Old Bearings – Use a bearing puller tool to press out both the inner and outer bearings from the wheel hub.
Press in New Bearings – Carefully press in the replacement inner and outer bearings into the wheel hub using an appropriate bearing driver tool.
Reinstall Axle Nut – Screw in the axle nut to secure the new bearing assembly. Tighten it to Honda’s specified torque spec.
Reinstall Wheel – Finally, remount the brake components, wheel and lug nuts. Repeat the steps on the other wheels if needed.
With high quality parts and proper installation, the new Honda Accord wheel bearings should last for years without any noise or vibrations.
How Do I Know If My Wheel Bearings Are Bad Honda Accord?
Listen for grinding, humming or roaring noises from the wheels, especially at highway speeds. Also check for vibrations through the steering wheel and uneven tire tread wear. If you experience these symptoms, have your Honda Accord’s wheel bearings inspected by a mechanic immediately. They can verify any damage through play and roughness testing.
Is It Ok To Drive With A Noisy Wheel Bearing?
No, it is unsafe to keep driving with a noisy wheel bearing in your Honda Accord. The grinding or whining noises indicate that the bearing is worn out and can fail completely at any time. A collapsed bearing can cause the wheel to lock up while driving, leading to potential accidents. Have the bad bearing replaced before it fails catastrophically.
What Does It Sound Like When A Wheel Bearing Is Going Out?
The most common sounds from a failing Honda Accord wheel bearing are grinding, humming, roaring or whining noises that get louder with increasing vehicle speed. You may also hear clicking or popping when turning the steering wheel. These audible symptoms alert you to get your bearings inspected and replaced.
How Long Do Honda Accord Wheel Bearings Last?
On average, the wheel bearings on a Honda Accord last around 100,000 to 120,000 miles. With proper maintenance and lubrication, well-made Honda bearings can sometimes last up to 150,000 miles before needing replacement.
What Is One Of The First Signs Of Bearing Failure?
One of the very first signs of Honda Accord wheel bearing failure is noise, including grinding, humming and whining sounds from the wheels. Pay attention to such noises and get your bearings checked out immediately to avoid extensive repairs.
Also Read: Honda Accord Engine Ticking Noise
Conclusion
Honda Accord wheel bearing noise indicates potentially serious problems that only worsen over time. Look out for grinding, popping or humming noises, especially at high speeds. Have a mechanic inspect the bearings immediately if you notice such symptoms. With proactive bearing replacement, wheel rebalancing, axle repairs and proper maintenance, you can stop Honda Accord wheel bearing noise issues in their tracks.