How to: Check Miata Wheel Bearing & Hubs

Image displaying a failed OEM wheel hub assembly.

Wheel bearings and hubs are a critical safety component and should be checked often, especially if the car’s handling changes or you hear a grinding noise. Stock hubs and bearings are particularly susceptible to failure when enjoying ‘spirited’ driving. For more information on the seriousness of hub failures, run a quick google/youtube search and read this Grassroots Motorsports Article

An image diplaying a failed OEM hub on a NA/NB miata.

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A pair of billet wheel hub assemblies displayed to show their strength and durability.

If the wheel bearing is in bad shape, you may hear a grinding sound regardless of the speed you are driving at. The noise will speed up at the same rhythm that the car does and it gets louder or quieter when cornering. If you hear this, chances are you have a bad wheel bearing and you should order replacement parts from a reputable vendor. Regardless of what product you buy, ensure that you are getting genuine parts, cheap counterfeit parts often fail very quickly and can lead to substantial damage costs in excess of the money saved.

Ensure the lug nuts AND axle nut are tight, confirm this with a torque wrench

Jack up your car so that the tire is off the ground and secure with jack stands

Place your hands at 12:00 & 6:00 (center, top and bottom) and push/pull back and forth to check for play. Repeat this horizontally at the 3:00 and 9:00 hand positions.

If there is play in either direction, the bearing and or hub are likely failed and need to be replaced ASAP. Place your parts order with your favorite Miata parts vendor!

Be sure the play is not coming from control arms, bushings, tire rod or ball joint.

In some cases where you cannot feel any movement or play, yet you still suspect the wheel bearing & hub, you can remove the wheel, brake caliper, brake rotor and brake pads completely. Spin the hub and listen for any grinding or gravelly noises. If you hear this then the bearing has failed.

If you are running stock hubs then there is also a chance of a hub flange failure, this can be checked by following step 5, and then visually inspecting the flat face of the flange for cracks.

For more general information and to learn about hubs & bearings, we recommend this article from our partner SKF.COM/wheel-bearing-hub-tips

For any specific questions you can visit our website www.MiataHubs.com

Or email us directly at MiataHubs@gmail.com