What Causes a Spun Bearing in Your Vehicle? Our Explanation

A spun bearing is a serious issue that can happen to any engine. No matter if you're driving a car, truck, sports car, race car, pickup, SUV, and other types of vehicle, you run the risk of encountering this problem if you are not careful.

Engine bearing problems highlights

• Level of importance:High
• Commonreasons:Overheating, low oil pressure
• DIY inspection:Almost impossible
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Price for repair:$1,000 - $3,500
• Can you drive?Usually, no
• Ways to fix:Engine will need complete overhaul if rod bearings are dead

What is a Spun Bearing?

A spun bearing is a problem that can occur in a car when the bearings inside the engine become worn wherein the shaft begins to spin independently off its housing. This issue can cause a lot of damage to the engine and lead to decreased performance or failure.

This problem with the bearing can especially happen to an engine due to age, lack of maintenance, failure to keep it properly lubricated, frequently carrying high working loads, regular exposure to extreme heat, collision, or bad driving habits on the part of the owner. Among the many possibilities though, spun bearings are also often attributed to a drop in oil pressure.

When the bearings, housing, or other internal components of the engine fail as a result of the event, it is often accompanied by a loud noise coming from the power unit. This issue should be taken seriously because it can potentially result in further damage that may be too costly to repair or the write-off of the vehicle if the problem leads to serious untoward incidents.

Symptoms of the Problem

If you notice your car's engine making strange noises, it could be a sign that the bearings are beginning to spin. The sounds produced by the problem can vary, and these may include:

• Squealing or grinding noise when the car is accelerating.
• A humming noise that gets louder as the speed of the car increases.
• A knocking noise coming from the engine just after it's turned off.

The problem of a spun bearing can affect the acceleration and engine operation of a car in a number of ways. The primary effects may include:

• First, the bearings may not spin properly, leading to a decrease in performance.
• Second, the shaft spinning independently in the housing can lead to a huge toll on the engine, which may lead it to seize its operation.
• Third, it can lead to engine malfunction while you are driving at high speeds, which can be a major safety hazard, and a fatal one at that.

When not fixed in time, this can cause serious damage to your engine. To prevent this from happening, it's important to have your bearings checked regularly and replaced if necessary. Doing so will keep your engine running smoothly and help avoid costly repairs down the road.

The Primary Causes

The most common causes of a spun bearing are lack of lubrication, contamination, misalignment, and worn bearings. If you can identify and correct any of these issues before they cause damage to the bearings, you can prevent the problem from arising.

Here's a quick look at the conditions that may lead to the problem:

1. Lack of Lubrication

Lack of lubrication is one of the most common causes of a spun bearing. Bearings need to be properly lubricated in order to function correctly. If they are not, the metal surfaces can begin to rub together, causing friction and heat. This can lead to wear and eventually failure.

2. Contamination

Contamination is another common cause of spun bearings. If dirt or other debris gets into the bearings, it can cause them to fail. To prevent this from happening, it's important to keep your engine clean and free of contaminants.

3. Misalignment

Misalignment is another common cause of a spun bearing. If the shaft that the bearings are mounted on is not properly aligned, it can cause the bearings to spin. This can be caused by several things, but a bent shaft or an engine that is not level are the most common culprits here.

4. Worn Bearings

Worn bearings are another common cause of a spun bearing. Over time, the bearings can become worn down, causing them to spin. This can lead to decreased performance and eventually failure. To avoid this, have your bearings checked regularly and replaced if necessary.

The Solutions to Fix a Spun Bearing

If you suspect that your car has a spun bearing, it's important to have it checked out by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. Doing so can help avoid costly repairs and keep your engine running smoothly.

The mechanic can fix the spun bearing by replacing the bearings, cleaning the fittings of the bearings, and realigning the engine. In some cases, the mechanic may also need to replace the crankshaft, or worse, the engine may have to be rebuilt or replaced if the damage has already caused a significant amount of damage that may be too impractical to fix.

If you're not sure whether or not your car has a spun bearing, it's a good idea to take it to a qualified mechanic for a thorough inspection. By doing so, you can be sure that the problem is taken care of and that your engine is running smoothly.

Ways to Avoid the Risk of Spun Bearing

There are many ways to prevent a spun bearing in a vehicle in addition to keeping the primary causes of the problem in check. Some of these methods are more effective than others, but all of them can help you avoid this problem. Here are ten of the most common ways to prevent a spun bearing:

1. Keep the Engine Well-Lubricated

Keep your car well-maintained and properly lubricated. This is one of the most important things you can do to prevent a spun bearing. Regularly check your vehicle's engine oil level and quality, and change the oil according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Make sure you're using the correct grade and type of oil for your car. The wrong oil can cause problems with the bearings. Use a high-quality motor oil that meets or exceeds the requirements for your vehicle's engine.

2. Fix the Leaks

Check for cracked hoses that can lead to a continuous drain in your fluids. Leaking hoses can also cause the seepage of different kinds of fluids into the other parts of your engine where they are not supposed to be.

3. Inflate the Tires to Their Recommended Pressure

Make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure. Overinflating your tires can cause them to wear out prematurely as it can result in uncontrollable vibrations that may gradually increase the risk of a spun bearing.

4. Drive Responsibly

Drive at moderate speeds and avoid hard braking or acceleration. These activities can put stress on your car's engine and increase the likelihood of a problem with the bearings. Additionally, avoid extended periods of idling or low-speed driving, which can overheat bearings and cause them to fail.

5. Avoid Submerging Your Vehicle in Flooded Areas

Avoid driving through puddles or deep-water crossings. Wet roads can cause bearings to rust and seize up, leading to a spinout situation.

If such conditions are unavoidable, have your vehicle cleaned and inspected thoroughly after to prevent dirt build-up that may lead to the corrosion of your vehicle's moving parts, particularly its bearings and other engine components.

6. Watch Your Vehicle's Weight

Be careful when loading or unloading cargo. Putting too much weight on one side of the car can cause the bearings to spin out. Moreover, avoid towing a heavy trailer or carrying excessive loads in your vehicle, as this can put too much strain on bearings.

7. Check the Temperature

Avoid driving in extreme cold or heat. These conditions can make it more difficult for your car's bearings to function properly. Keep your vehicle's cooling system in good working order to help prevent overheating and bearing failure.

8. Don't Postpone the Repairs for Too Long

Have your automobile looked at as soon as you notice any odd noises coming from it. A problem with the bearings may be indicated by grinding or screeching sounds. Procrastinating at the early signs of the problem can lead to more troubles along the way.

9. Keep Up with Your Vehicle's Maintenance Schedule

Have your car inspected by a qualified mechanic regularly. This will help you identify any potential problems before they lead to a spun bearing. It would be good to check your owner's manual for the recommended replacement interval for your vehicle's engine bearings as well.

10. Follow Your Manufacturer's Recommendations

Furthermore, be sure to properly maintain all other aspects of your vehicle according to the manufacturer's recommendations. All the moving parts of your vehicle serve as a cohesive unit ensuring its proper operation, and a problem with one can lead to a series of chain reactions that may directly or indirectly affect your engine bearings.

Conclusion

A spun bearing issue has a huge risk of growing into a more complicated issue. So, before it does, it's important for you to recognize its early signs and address them without further delay. As always, consult a professional mechanic to help you with the problem.

The solutions here are merely general in nature and may or may not apply in your case if there are any other factors in play outside of the causes discussed here.