Axle shaft bearing

[chandlerGTi]

Morning, my car had been making a humming noise which I had figured to be the drivers side hub bearing. Turn right it gets louder, turn left it goes away. I stopped by the dealer last night and while it was in the lift we scoped each bearing and found it to be the center axle support bearing. Anyone had one go bad? Anyone changed one? I'm not finding much about them online the tech said he has changed one other one.

Btw: it's a 2012 5sport mt, 114,000 miles. Right wheel bearing was replaced at 83,000.

 

[loosenut]

Be wary as those bearings usually make some noise on the lift. I'm not saying it's not bad but the likelihood is greater that a wheel bearing is causing it. How fast did he have it spinning on the lift?

 

[chandlerGTi]

He was wailing on it, neither wheel bearing made any noise.

 

[loosenut]

It's possible its the axle bearing but it surprises me the noise would change when turning. Are you sure the noise is from the front? It's possible a rear hub may be going out. That can't be caught on a lift unless the bearing is so bad it exhibits play.

 

[chandlerGTi]

The noise transmits through the front when driving, can't sense it in my seat which usually you can with a rear hub.

 

[loosenut]

Sounds like the axle bearing may be the culprit then. I have been fooled into replacing them before is why I felt the need to raise the red flag.

 

[IHeartGroceries]

I've seen a few go bad on the Mazda6, based on forum owner reporting. But, seems like a low failure rate, so definitely smart to proceed with caution, in regards to replacing it. But if you've ruled out wheel bearing, sounds like sound troubleshooting.

 

[chandlerGTi]

Good call gents. The axle shaft bearing did not solve my issue, right side hub bearing is the ticket...fourth time...

 

[loosenut]

Our front wheel bearings are highly susceptible to impacts from bumps/potholes. I don't know about your area but mine is littered with potholes on the right side of the road. Sorry to hear you're having to put another in.

 

[chandlerGTi]

My area is north Of yours an hour and it is wickedly covered by holes. After the last couple winters they haven't been able to keep up with road conditions.

 

[flcruising]

It's hard to load a wheel bearing when it's on a lift, and doing an inspection while driving can prove difficult. Glad you got it resolved.