To check if your serviceable bearings need to be replaced, you must first jack up the wheel that is experiencing issues. Next, try to spin the wheel as fast as you can and listen for wheel bearing noise. You might want to watch for sounds that are comparable to grinding sounds. After listening for sounds, try to wriggle the wheel in a rocking motion. In serviceable wheel bearings, only one eighth of an inch is possible for movements. If larger movements are observed, you will most likely need to re-tighten or replace your current wheel bearing.
Checking hub bearing assemblies if they are in need of repair or replacement is a lot simpler. All you need to do is place you hands at positions 9 and 3 while spinning the wheel and listening for wheel bearing noises. Proceed if you don’t find anything out of the ordinary. The next step is to wriggle the wheel in a rocking motion after putting your hands at 12 and 6 positions. If the free play that you observe is much greater than one eighth of an inch, you are dealing with a serious problem and you will need to replace your wheel bearing as soon as you can.