My wagon has started making a thumb-thumb noise in the rear, in time with wheel speed, not engine rpm. This started after a panic-stop in traffic, not from a pot-hole. I suspect a wheel bearing. Any suggestions?

 

Swap tires around to see if it moves to a new corner. That will check (or rule out) damaged bands in the tire.

Steer around corners in both directions. Bad wheel bearings will often increase or decrease as you steer. (OFTEN, but not always.)

Then lift the corner & spin the wheel. Check for dragging brakes. To actually check for wheel bearings, you might have to remove the caliper in order to spin the hub without any interference from the brakes.

 

Many thanks, will check once the !*@!^$%@((%)_) snow goes away here in N Va.!

 

Since you said it started after a panic stop it sounds more like you "flat spotted" the rear tires and that would give you the thump-thump noise. There are a few places that can shave the tires to make them round again, but that will depend on how much tread is let and how bad they are flat spotted.

I live in N.Va also, we got close to 20" in Chantilly

 

Actually, there was no skidding when I hit the brakes (due to the excellent anti-lock) and the noise comes and goes, its not consistently there. I get a similiar noise when I rock the car body back and forth on its springs. When the plow stops refilling my driveway for me, I'll jack it up and see if the wheels make any sounds or are loose in any way. Thanks for your response.