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NOTE: I have a recording of a bad wheel bearing AND a bad clutch throwout bearing in my NOISE LIBRARY
Here's some images of various automotive bearings
BEARINGS:
Bearings are found in almost every rotating part of your car. A bad accessory or wheel bearing makes a whirring, rumbling, or roaring noise. A bad engine bearing makes a loud knocking sound.BEARING TYPES:
ROLLER BEARING
Roller bearings are found in heavy duty applications like wheels, transmissions, etc. The bearings are cylindrical and roll between an inner and outer race. Many wheel bearings are "tapered roller bearings" and are slightly conical. A tapered roller bearing is adjusted, or "pre-loaded" by a nut which presses the bearings into the bearing race. Very small roller bearings are called needle bearings. Needle bearings are usually found in transmissions, and the universal joints on rear wheel drive cars.
BALL BEARING
Ball bearings are similar, but instead of cylindrical shaped bearings they have spherical (ball) shapes.
HYDROSTATIC OR HYDRODYNAMIC BEARING
Ever slid on wet tile in flip-flops? That's how hydrostatic bearings work. They are found in extreme load applications, like your engine crankshaft bearings (mains and rods). They depend on a steady supply of oil, and do not work until the shaft is in motion. That's why getting oil to your crank quickly is important. That's why regular oil changes and the proper oil type are so important!