I recently put the max into a small ditch. Long story short, bent the control arm and tie rod. After everything is back and in order, I have a virbration from the wheel. The camber is out of spec and cannot be brought into spec (thinking bent strut or mount)... Do you think the vibration is coming from the tire being out of balance or could this be a wheel bearing issue that was caused on impact. The vibration is speed sensitive and subsides if I drive on a curvy road at speed (35+). Any thoughts?

I have a similiar problem...but I'm pretty sure it's my wheels. I have this problem at 70+ (not always though).

the wheel bearing is pretty good protected so its not wheel bearing u most likely bent somethin. check your wheel do an eye comparison with the wheel u hear the problem from and the others

I bet if you throw that wheel on the balancer it'll be asking for like 5-6 ounces of weight. Your bearing is fine but I bet the rim took a beating. Friend of mine came into my shop the other day for me to fix her vibration on her Altima after hitting a curb...and let me just say she needs a rim. This thing was ALL over the place and the balancer was asking for over a pound of weight!!!! I must say I was ammused

Don't throw out the possibility of a wheel bearing if the vibration subsides under moderate cornering. Have it looked at. Switch the wheel out for another one on your car. If the vibration seems to come from the corner that you put the culprit wheel on, then it's the wheel. Otherwise, it's not. I'm betting on possible wheel bearing.

To check for a wheel bearing - jack up that corner of the car, and try to push/pull on the wheel in all different directions. Feel for any slop or movement in the hub in any direction. It's going to turn somewhat because as you move the steering rack (especially 9 & 3), but it shouldn't move at all if you hold your hands at 12 & 6. If you feel any unusual movement, your wheel bearing could have a problem.

do what Maxklinger said....and that will tell you what it is...but like others...chances are its your wheel. The wheel bearing is pressed in...so it would be very hard to damage it...in fact they just wear more over time

another good way to check for wheel bearing is to jack the car up spin the wheel and put ur hand on the spring....if there is excessive vibration u have a bad bearing.....but i am guessing u f-ed the wheel....good luck finding the issue

Thanks, Ill check these out this weekend... I have been paying more attention to the vibration. When I brake from speed the vibration subsides. Also if I am driving and go over a dip or hump in the road (not a hard drop or anything, one that makes the car kinda float on the springs) the vibration subsides for the brief second the weight is less on the tires. Does this lend any more light on the matter?

Do you think if there is just minor damage to the bearing there would be any noticable slop in the bearing?

Obviously there is going to be more slop in the wheel if there is more damage to the bearing. However, as nupe500 said, wheel bearings are something that usually fails from wearing over time, not from impacts.


I really think the wheel is bent. Take it to a good alignment/balancing shop and they'll be able to tell right away how badly it's bent.

Well, I have had the tires rotated/balanced/aligned since the accident. Therefore, the original wheel of the impact is no longer on the front, it is on the rear now... Do you think the camber being out could cause the wheel vibration. I guess the tire is being balanced for the proper alignment, and since the camber is out, the wheel would be out of balance for the current configuration... Agree???

hey guy thats a tie rod and ball joint check. you cant check your wheel bearing that way.

check your tire pressure and your tire for uneven wear

if your wheel bearing is bad enough to make your spring vibrate then that **** is seriously ****ed

I don't know how "****ed" he'd be, but he'd certainly be feeling it in the car while driving by that point.

Yes, finding slop there could also mean a tie rod or ball joint problem.

I replaced the whole LCA so the ball joint is new. I nspected the tie rod for damage, but I couldn't imagine the tie rod causing this kind of vibration. Everybody that rides in my car can hear and front passengers can feel it. It is quite loud and resonates in the cabin. I think I'll probably end up getting new tires in the next month, Im sure with new tires, the vibration would be a little better. Or I would be able to tell if it's the bearing at that time... Thanks!