I brought my 2003 Kia Spectra into Pomp‘s tires for a wheel alignment, they called me 10 minutes after i dropped it off and told me i need a front left wheel bearing. My concern is my car doesn‘t make any unusual sounds, like grinding and squeaking. It also doesn‘t pull, but i do have a very slightest vibration. Whats the best way for me to check it out myself? The reason i brought into the shop is because i put brand new tires on the car less than 5000 miles ago, and the front 2 tires are completely bald on the inside But could 1 bad wheel bearing cause that?
i wouldnt do that , iwould cut and replace bad piece and solder a new one in.
Cut out the bad section and replace it with a compression coupling.
First use silver braze. (sometime grouped in with silver solder but the melting temps are different). Air-acetylene torch is preferred but a turbo-acetylene or mapp torch can be used. A oxy-acetylene torch is considered too hot but has been known to work in experienced hands. cut and splice in a new section.
I also have an 03 Kia spectra. The way to check for wheel bearing play is to jack up the front end. And grab the tire at ten o clock and four o clock and wiggle it. There should be no play or slop.The tire wear is most likely an alignment problem.Always have your vehicle aligned when buying a new set of tires.Hope this helps.
After reading your first answer I thought you should know a revision cause what you were told isn't quite right. You won't learn anything if both front wheels are off the ground. Both front wheels will chuck against the steering wheel lock. Put the emergency brake on and slide the transmission gearshift selector in neutral. Jack one wheel at a time off the ground and grab that wheel at 9 and three O'clock. Push the wheel in with one hand while pulling out with the other. The front wheel not being checked must be firmly on the ground. *If one of the two tie-rod ends is loose behind each front wheel the front wheel will chuck also. Someone should be watching the tie-rod ends while the other person is trying to see if there is movement in the tire.
