05 Hub Assembly

Have a 2005 Mazda 3, with 83K on it. I hear a constant clicking type sound coming from the front tires. I've been told it is a bad bearing. From what I've heard, you have to replace the whole hub assembly, and that it is recommended to replace the axle bolt when doing this. My question is, how do you know which side is bad. I mean I can't pin point which side the sound is coming from. How would a mechanic know which side is bad, is their a trick I should know. And, would I be safe to buy the parts on-line, and bring it to the mechanic for repair. It seems that I can get the hub assemble a lot cheaper then from the local parts store. I haven't brought the car to a shop yet. Any help would be great.

Describe what you call a clicking sound? Do you hear it all the time? Is only when you turn the steering wheel? Worn bearings don't normally make a clicking sound. They sound like metal grinding, or they may sound like marbles rattling in a can.

The Mazda check procedure calls for checking hub movement with a dial gauge on a
magnetic stand. The tolerance is only .002". If you jack the wheel and use your hands at 6 & 12 o'clock position, pull out ans push in. .002" is very small and you shouldn't feel any movement. You can also rock the wheel with hands in the same position, there may be some movement but very little.

Try rotating the wheel and listen for binding or noise. Compare both wheels, there should be a noticeable difference if one has a bad bearing.

Clicking sounds are frequently bad CV joints on the axle shaft. Usually they make more
noise when turning corners. A good test is to drive in a circle.

Clifton