I think I have a bad wheel bearing. The noise sounds like wheel is rubbing on something, but it's not. The weird thing is, sometimes the noise is there and sometimes it's not. For example, I would drive and for 20 seconds the noise is there and then it goes away, but then 2 minutes later it comes back. If I have a bad wheel bearing, would the noise be there 24-7? It's been like this for 3 months but I can't seem to track where the noise is coming from. I tried to make a video of the noise, but my exhaust system is too loud. Any thoughts?

 

jack up the corner

spin the wheel by hand and feel for any roughness in the rotation.

grab the wheel at the 12 and 6 oclock positions and check for axial play. it should be 100% solid.

if that all checks out the wheel bearing is probably fine

 

Also to determine which side the noise is from is to "swerve" when you hear it. For example, if the noise goes away or quiets when turning left, odds are the problem is on the left side.

 

Could it also be possible that a bad rear control link is causing this?

 

On at least FC RX7s the front struts could also cause movement such as this, which can be tested by taking the wheel off to ravage the strut itself. If theres movement the struts are worn/shot