Can your wheel really fall off because of a bad bearing?

I have an 02 Focus ZTS. I have what sounds like would be a heavy engine knock, except located on the back left side (I think). It vibrates the car pretty badly at highway speed, especially the air inside the car if I have the back windows down!

My uncle seemed to think it was a wheel bearing going out, and I'm aware it could be other things...my main concern is what the cost will end up being (roughly) at a repair shop in a metropolitan area (Minneapolis in this case).

My other more important concern is if that old story about a wheel falling off because of a bad bearing is true. I'm waiting on my tax refund to repair this, so if I can wait just another week or two, that'd be great.

bad vibration could be caused by a wheel that's not balanced correctly, get that checked out.

There's alot more than just the bearing that holds the wheel on I've seen multiple people with 5 lug wheels riding with only 2 lug nuts on and not have problems and in the same aspect I've seen people with 1 lug nut missing and the wheel come off. It all rolls down to how well the vehicle was designed and built. With wheel bearings I'd recommend you stay away from the interstate just in case.

Yes, I have seen the wheels fall off because of shot bearings. Not usual, but I have seen it. I have also seen them get hot enough to melt aluminum wheels. But like said above, check your tire.

Usually what happens first is the bearing siezes locking up the wheel. Not fun at 75 mph.

There's alot more than just the bearing that holds the wheel on I've seen multiple people with 5 lug wheels riding with only 2 lug nuts on and not have problems and in the same aspect I've seen people with 1 lug nut missing and the wheel come off. It all rolls down to how well the vehicle was designed and built. With wheel bearings I'd recommend you stay away from the interstate just in case.


That makes me feel really safe. Actually, there isn't that much that holds a wheel hub on. Basically a big nut on the end of a spindle. If you have too much heat caused by a bad bearing(as mentioned before) things can melt, for example the tiny pin that holds the nut from backing off.

Back to the original problem, I would get my tires checked out to rule out something cheaper than the wheel bearing.

You also mentioned a heavy knocking. Check proper torque on the lugs and make sure the holes in the wheel aren't mishapen/ovular/worn.