[header] How to know if your wheel bearings are going bad [title] Listen for snapping or popping when you turn. [step] Snapping, popping, and clicking are all signs that the outer cv joint, which is the joint that connects your wheel to the axle, is starting to wear out. Sometimes, more severe turns will create a louder snapping or popping noise. 
If you hear this while you're driving, there's a good chance you have a bad axle. [substeps] Listen to what side the rattling is on, so you have an idea of which wheel bearing is going bad.