How can one tell if a wheel bearing, or something suspension-related is going bad?

Since my minor accident a while back my left front tire has developed uneven tire wear, mostly on the inside. It seems like cupping to me. You can hear thumping/hum at low-speeds, and it's loud.

I've checked my alignment and it hasn't budged from my norm (toe in spec, 1.9 on camber). I rotate every 5k miles, mount/dismount opposite sides every 10-12k. Even with this setting i never had problems with uneven tire wear.

I then switched to a different set of used wheels/tires, it's not as loud but you still hear something similar.

From what i've read, it could either be (a) bad struts, (b) worn wheel bearing or (c) improper tire balance. By process of elimination, i think it's (b), but how does one diagnose it?

Thank you, folks!

 

A worn wheel bearing will tend to allow some play in the wheel. Jack up the car and spin the wheel freely. Listen for unusual sounds. Also wiggle the wheel. If you're able to rock the wheel back and forth the bearing is probably going as well. I hope some more car savy guys chime in, but I hope this helps.

 

does the thumping happen when driving in a straight line or when driving over something like a speed bump?

 

Thanks guys. I did the wiggle test and it seemed fairly sturdy to me. The thumping is in a straight line on smooth roads.

 

Here is an example of the wiggle test, although you are supposed to hold it 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock.

There should be no play at all. NONE. If none, I don't think it's the wheel bearing.

 

hmm no idea then! don't think its your endlinks or sways then.

 

yeah, the wiggle test is supposed to be at 6 and 12 for wheel bearings, and at 9 and 3 for ball joints, susp., etc.

 

Sorry to bring this back up. I'd like to update and hope to get further insight on this.

None of the bearings are bad, and i did rotate the tires F-R since then, but now what once were perfect rear tires are now also developing the same "cupping" wear now that they're mounted up front.

Looking at the latest alignment sheets from when i first posted this, the camber is where it's always been, and toe is in the 0.02 range, so i'm not sure what's causing the cupping-like wear. This can't be camber wear and i've never had problems like this on the past 2 sets of tires with the same alignment specs.

Thoughts?

p.s. I'm inclined to think it's cupping because of the raised ridges on the inside shoulder treads.