How to Diagnose a Bad Wheel Bearing on a 1990 Civic

The 1990 Honda Civic uses a sealed roller bearing in the front wheels and a bearing and hub assembly at the rear wheels. These bearings cannot be lubricated. Bad wheel bearings present a safety hazard because total failure can result in the wheel separating from the vehicle and loss of control. It only takes a few minutes to check your wheel bearings and a bearing that shows signs of wear should immediately be replaced.

Instructions

1

Park the Civic on a level, paved surface.

2

Carefully, touch the center of the hub on the wheel you want to check. It should be warm, but not real hot. If it is extremely hot to the touch, this is an indication of excessive friction and a bad bearing.

3

Raise the wheel in question off of the ground. Support the Civic with a jack stand. Grab the wheel at the top and bottom -- 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock -- and try to wiggle the wheel back and forth. If you can feel play in the wheel, a bad bearing is indicated.

4

Spin the wheel, if you can hear a grinding noise or feel a rough feeling while you spin it, a bad bearing is indicated.