# Danger of driving with bearing problem and cracked outer axle boots

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/danger-of-driving-with-bearing-problem-and-cracked-outer-axle-boots/24021>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [December 28, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/danger-of-driving-with-bearing-problem-and-cracked-outer-axle-boots/24021 "2008-12-28T22:48:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mdeering](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/278dde/32.png) [@mdeering](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mdeering)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/danger-of-driving-with-bearing-problem-and-cracked-outer-axle-boots/24021/1 "2008-12-28T22:48:12Z")

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How dangerous is it to keep driving with these conditions? There is no grinding noise, but a definite noise related to the speed of my car. And it’s the right front bearing that needs replacing. I do plan to get it fixed but am hoping to put it off for another week or two.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/danger-of-driving-with-bearing-problem-and-cracked-outer-axle-boots/24021/2 "2008-12-28T23:01:37Z")

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The bearing is a more serious issue than the cracked outer axle boots.

If you’re sure the right front bearing is bad, I suggest you have it repaired ASAP. If the bearing fails catastrophically you could lose control of the car.

If you’re just guessing it’s a bearing because of the noise, have a mechanic check the wheel bearing to be sure. If it’s just the CV joints you can wait, but not too long.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [December 28, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/danger-of-driving-with-bearing-problem-and-cracked-outer-axle-boots/24021/3 "2008-12-28T23:04:05Z")

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Axle boots you can get away with for quite some time until the CV-joints start clicking/crunching going around corners. But a wheel bearing failure isn’t something you should put off. The wheel/tire could seperate from the vehicle.

So get the bearing fixed first and now! And don’t worry about the ripped CV boots.

Tester

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**Author:** ![AlanY](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f4b2a3/32.png) [@AlanY](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AlanY)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/danger-of-driving-with-bearing-problem-and-cracked-outer-axle-boots/24021/4 "2008-12-29T02:03:43Z")

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Well, he’s going to have to separate the axle from the steering knuckle/bearing assembly in order to replace the bearings. Might as well replace the axle at this time instead of sticking the old one back in.