So as hyped as I am to start the drive tonight, I just ran into a problem. I believe it to be a wheel bearing. My right rear wheel has a terrible grinding noise that follows the symptoms of what I have searched to be a wheel bearing. Should I still be good to participate, in spite of the embarrassing noise? I got about a 500 mile drive each way (coming from Norfolk), is it safe to drive that distance and fix when I get home? What's the worst that could happen?

 

Damaged spindle or disc. Possible complete failure of bearing with possible loss of control!

Don't do it. Get it fixed before you go! Even if it means you are late.

 

not worth the risk, and catastrophic failure is a very real possibility. Saw you taping your car along with a yellow one - why don't the two of you just go in the yellow one to be safe?

Take it to a mechanic tomorrow and have them diagnose, but from your description it is most likely a wheel bearing, and going 1000 miles with it like that is asking for trouble.

 

NOPE! I had my wheel nut FALL OFF on the way to the office. Got there ok but a bit wobbly. When we towed the car the wheel pretty much was hanging by the brake parts. So NO.