We will go over all you need to know about wheel bearings and why they are crucial for your vehicle in order to keep our customers informed about their cars and all of their parts. Then, you’ll be able to spot wheel bearing issues quickly in the future or at the very least, know when it’s time to see a professional.
In This Article...
What Are Wheel Bearings?
A collection of steel balls or tapers known as “ball bearings” or “tapered bearings” make up a wheel bearing. A metal ring called a “race” secures these bearings to one another. The wheel bearings fit into the hollow “hub” that is located in the middle of the wheel and aid in rotating your wheels.
How Long Do Wheel Bearings Last?
Wheel bearings can wear out and break even though they are designed to last the whole lifetime of your car. Wheel bearings typically need to be replaced after 85,000 to 100,000 kilometers. Wheel bearings can last a long time in some cars, but they can also wear out very fast in other cars. Your wheel bearings’ level of quality and your typical driving circumstances will determine everything.
Given their location on the wheel, wheel bearings must be able to survive challenging road and weather conditions like potholes, speed bumps, rain, dust, and more. All of these challenging circumstances might shorten their lifespan, so rather than depending on a timeline, you should keep an eye out for the signs of a failing wheel bearing.
Signs And Symptoms Of Failing Wheel Bearings
If you are worried about your wheel bearings, there are a lot of symptoms you should watch out for. You might need to replace your wheel bearing if you detect any of the warning indications listed below. If you think your wheel bearings may be failing, keep an eye out for any warning indications and tell your mechanic about them.
Wheel bearing failure warning signs:
- Unusual Noises It’s wise to pay attention to any unexpected noises you hear because bad wheel bearings can produce a range of odd noises. It is your responsibility as a car owner to understand what noises are typical, therefore you should be aware of unusual noises as soon as they appear. If your wheel bearing is damaged, you might hear humming, screeching, squeaking, growling, clicking, snapping, popping, clunking, or knocking noises. When you turn, accelerate, change gears, and other actions, you might hear these noises. Let your mechanic identify the issue because these noises may also be indicative of a number of other problems.
- Grinding It’s not good if your car grinds when you’re driving it. This can indicate that your wheel’s system has already sustained significant mechanical damage. There is a good probability that your wheel bearings are to blame if you experience this while changing gears or turning your car.
- Vibrations When you turn or change speed, you might feel your car vibrate, which could mean your wheel bearings need to be replaced. Although it’s not a common assumption among automobile owners, poor wheel bearings can be the main culprit of vibrations. If you experience several of the signs on this list, you may soon require a wheel bearing replacement.
- Applying the brakes while pulling Occasionally, a car will pull to one side while the brakes are used. This is abnormal and can be a sign that your wheel bearings need to be replaced. Be sure to consult a mechanic because pulling to one side could potentially be an indication of another problem.
- uneven rotor or brake pad wear Your brake pads and tires may experience abnormal wear for a variety of reasons. Wheel bearing failure is one of these causes. Regardless of what you believe the cause may be, you should schedule an appointment with a technician if you see uneven brake pad or rotor wearing.
- Lack of ABS Additionally, faulty wheel bearings may be indicated by ABS failure or other problems. Your car’s anti-lock brakes are a crucial safety element, so you must address this problem right now. Click here to find out more about ABS!
Some of these signs of poor wheel bearings require immediate treatment since they are really serious. Get your automobile inspected by a skilled mechanic before getting back on the road!
Can I Drive With Bad Wheel Bearings
No. Driving without a working wheel bearing is not advised. Not only is it incredibly risky for you, but you also run the risk of hurting or killing other motorists.
If you neglect faulty wheel bearings, your car’s steering may become difficult or your wheel may cease operating while you’re driving.
In addition to being dangerous, it can put a lot of stress on the transmission, CV joint, and hub of your car. Your auto repair costs could increase if you don’t replace your worn-out wheel bearings as soon as possible. You might also observe that your tires deteriorate more quickly, necessitating more frequent tire replacement. Overall, these potential consequences of poor wheel bearings may prove to be more costly than the initial issue.
Mobile Wheel Bearing Replacement Near You!
Fortunately for you, replacing a wheel bearing isn’t a particularly difficult task, especially for experienced professionals. As a result, it won’t be as costly or time-consuming as a more serious problem. But if you put off fixing this problem for too long, the worn-out wheel bearings may also impact other components, necessitating additional repairs and raising the total cost of ownership.
How To Book A Wheel Bearing Replacement With Wrench
Register on our website or mobile app to schedule a wheel bearing repair service right away! If you don’t yet have an account with us, you can still make an appointment as a guest. Regardless of whether you have an account with us or not, we will need to learn a little more about the kind of car you drive and its requirements.
What kind of car do you have is the first thing we’ll need to know. Please tell us the year, make, and model of the vehicle, together with the VIN and license plate number. With the use of this information, we will be better equipped to handle your wheel bearing repair and any further services you might need. We will make sure we arrive with the appropriate equipment and parts to carry out all of your required repairs and services if your car needs a specific part.
Then, we’ll need to know what kind of auto service or maintenance you require. Schedule a wheel bearing replacement appointment if you are aware that your wheel bearings are worn out. If you think your wheel bearings are the source of your car’s problems but are unsure, schedule a diagnostic appointment, and our mobile technician will examine your vehicle and determine the issue.
We will compute an auto repair price for you once we are aware of the services that your automobile requires and what kind of vehicle you have. You will receive a customized version of this statement so you will know precisely what to expect. We will include all relevant information, including the price of the parts and labor as well as the anticipated duration of the services. Choose a date, time, and place for your wheel bearing replacement appointment once you’ve had a chance to review our auto repair estimate.
Wheel bearings should last for how many miles?
The component that joins the wheel to the axle, known as the wheel assembly, is the wheel bearing. A metal ring holds a group of steel balls (ball bearings) or taper (tapered bearings) together. It makes it possible for the wheel to spin easily and with little resistance. Wheel bearings must be replaced when they cease functioning properly since they are safety-critical parts created to withstand radial and axial stresses brought on by gravity, accelerating, breaking, and cornering forces.
How long does a wheel bearing last?
The typical life of a wheel bearing is 136,000 to 160,000 kilometers (approximately 85,000 to 100,000 miles). This is merely a generalization; the actual lifespan of a wheel bearing is dependent on the bearing’s quality and the environment in which it operates.
Why do wheel bearings fail?
A wheel bearing typically fails for the following reasons:
- incorrect installation Inappropriate instruments, like a hammer or an impact wrench, can damage the wheel end bearing’s inside and/or exterior, leading to the wheel bearing’s early failure. Additionally, reusing old accessories like bolts, nuts, circlips, split pins, seals, etc. rather than replacing them with new ones can result in the wheel end bearing operating under abnormal or unsafe conditions, causing increased wear on the wheel end bearing and an increase in the risk of an auto accident.
- Impact harm or inadequate road conditions
- Any contact, like going over speed bumps, hitting curbstones, or driving through potholes, can harm a wheel bearing and shorten its life.
- defective wheel bearings Wheel bearings experience constant, intense pressure. Poor heat treatment on wheel bearings made of low-quality materials can lead to early wear and failure.
- driving circumstances
- You run the risk of your wheel bearings failing if you drive through mud or deep water. If the seals are broken, water, dirt, or other impurities like dust or salt can enter the bearing, contaminating the grease and destroying the bearings.
- Wheel bearing wear can be accelerated by vehicle changes including larger or wider rims, tires with thinner thread walls, stiffer shock absorbers, and suspension springs. To reduce the effect on the durability of the wheel bearings, stick to the rims, tires, shock absorbers, and springs recommended by the automobile manufacturer.
How durable are OEM wheel bearings?
A. Genuine hardware Wheel bearings are designed to last for more than 100,000 miles, and many of them may travel twice that far. Even yet, depending on driving style and the environment the bearings are subjected to, the average bearing life can range from 80,000 to 120,000 miles.
Maintenance is not necessary because wheel bearing hubs and cartridges are permanently sealed and lubricated. However, if a car is driven through mud or water up to the hub, pollutants could reach the bearing after slipping past the seals. The bearing will soon fail prematurely after this occurs. Grease is broken down by water, and highly polished bearing surfaces are scrubbed away by abrasives. The bearing eventually fails due to lubrication failure and/or wear.
The lifespan of the front wheel bearings can also be shortened by vigorous driving, particularly hard cornering. In many passenger automobile applications, ball bearings can withstand typical driving but not the severe side forces that can be produced by racing or too aggressive driving. Depending on how they are driven, police cars and cabs are renowned for consuming the front wheel bearings.
Fatigue spalling may cause bearing failure in wheel bearings with a high mileage. The rollers and races’ surfaces develop minute fissures due to fatigue spalling, which allows metal to flake off. Serious overloading or bearing assembly misalignment can also result in the same kind of cracking.
The sooner a wheel bearing is replaced, the lower the chance of losing a wheel. If a wheel bearing has become loose or is producing noise, it needs to be replaced. The same is true for rear axle bearings on vehicles with rear-wheel drive.
Noise coming from the area around the wheel is a typical sign of an impending wheel bearing failure. The noise may be a whine, hum, rumble, growl, chirp, or cyclic squeal, and it gets louder as the speed of the car increases.
However, wheel bearings can occasionally stop functioning without squeaking. Immediately look into any noise that seems to be coming from a wheel.
Wheel bearing noise is typically inversely correlated with vehicle speed, and it can fluctuate during turns, get louder, or even go away at some speeds.
The same noise is frequently produced by a trailing brake pad rubbing against a rotor, but it normally stops when the brakes are engaged.
How much does a Toyota wheel bearing replacement cost?
What will it cost to replace the wheel bearings on my Toyota? The average cost to replace the wheel bearings (for 1 wheel) across all cars in the country is roughly $350.
What symptoms indicate a faulty wheel bearing?
Top Warning Signs You Should Replace Your Wheel Bearings
- Humming sound The most obvious and typical aural sign of damaged wheel bearings is present.
- Growling and Squealing
- a clicking noise.
- Wheel sways.
- ABS lapse.
- Variable tire wear
- Car moves to one side.
- Vibration of the steering wheel.
After replacing a wheel bearing, do you need alignment?
Yes, if you remove the knuckle’s bolt, alignment is required. You can press the bearing in or out with the proper tool if you separate the ball joint and remove the axle from the knuckle.
Is changing a wheel bearing a significant task?
Even for the most seasoned mechanics, replacing a front or rear wheel bearing is a very complicated task that can take some time.
Since a number of components must be removed in order to access your wheel bearing, we strongly advise that only a qualified mechanic perform a wheel bearing replacement unless you have the requisite skills and tools.
How long do Toyota Camry wheel bearings last?
A sealed bearing can last up to 100,000 miles before needing to be replaced. Every 25,000 to 30,000 miles, vehicles with conventional, tapered wheel bearings should have them serviced. If they are maintained, replacement may not be required.
What is the turnaround time for replacing wheel bearings?
The steering and suspension systems on your car depend heavily on the wheel bearings. The wheels’ ability to remain fixed to the vehicle is due to their wheel bearings. Each wheel can spin freely and at the desired pace thanks to them. Wheel bearings endure constant abuse. While navigating bumpy roads, potholes, and other challenging terrain, they sustain the entire weight of your car. Wheel bearings are among the components of the steering and suspension system that survive the longest, but this mostly relies on the driver, the road, and other variables.
A worn-out or damaged wheel bearing can impair the wheel’s ability to rotate securely, independently, and smoothly. This needs to be handled right away because it can result in risky driving situations. Some wheel bearings come with speed sensors or ABS. The ABS system’s performance could be compromised by worn-out or damaged bearings, which would compromise vehicle safety. Over time, a damaged wheel bearing can affect the alignment of the car, leading to more problems with the tires and other suspension components.
Top Warning Signs Your Wheel Bearings Need Attention:
Noise arising from the wheel or tire area of a moving vehicle is the most prevalent and frequently most recognizable sign linked to a damaged wheel bearing. If you pay close attention, you might hear a grinding, grating, or buzzing when the car speeds. The noise can be mistaken for something else as it’s an uncommon event. It is possible for a bearing to be noisy without being worn out and vice versa. The only sign of a deteriorated wheel bearing is unusual noise.
A wheel bearing loses its tight fit inside the wheel hub and spindle when it starts to deteriorate. Your car will seem loose or unsteady to steer as a result of this wear. This kind of steering or handling should obviously be addressed right away if you experience it.
The sound you may be hearing may gradually get louder if the seal on a wheel bearing is weakened. A bearing’s ability to last a long time depends on seals. The lubricants and other components may become contaminated if air, dust, salt, sand, etc. get inside. When this happens, the lubricants and other friction-causing components may start to degrade. When a bearing gets really heated, the cages and seals may deform and cause the bearing to lock up. You can experience resistance when accelerating and feel as though the parking brake has been deployed. You should get this checked out right now.
We all understand the value of rotating tires to encourage even wear, but it’s important to remember that a damaged wheel bearing can also cause uneven tire wear. Your tires may wear unevenly due to the wheel’s sloppiness and the vibration that travels through the wheel. Ultimately implying that you might be reducing the tire life.
The warning indicators could be difficult to spot because wheel bearing replacement is not a frequent event. It can appear that the alignment is incorrect and dragging the automobile to one side, or that the brakes are grinding. It’s best to let a qualified technician properly assess the fundamental problem in each of these situations.
Long-term savings in time, money, and annoyance can be achieved by quickly identifying and correctly resolving the problem.
What causes Wheel Bearings to go bad?
In general, wheel bearings can last a very long time, but a lot relies on the driver’s behavior, the type of vehicle, the road conditions, and other outside factors. Wheel bearings can become worn down as a result of driving on rough terrain, hitting potholes, and running into curbs. If the bearings’ seals are damaged, air, dust, salt, sand, and other contaminants may enter, corroding or harming internal components. When this happens, the lubricants and other friction-causing components may start to degrade. When a bearing gets really heated, the cages and seals may deform and cause the bearing to lock up. It could feel as though the parking brake has been engaged. When you try to accelerate, you might experience resistance.
When should I have Wheel Bearings replaced?
Wheel bearings ought to last for a long time. You might wish to get the wheel bearings tested roughly every 30,000 miles if your automobile is running smoothly. Otherwise, you should have your car checked out right away if you see any of the warning indications mentioned above. A qualified expert can provide you the best advice regarding whether or not it’s necessary to repair your bearings.
My wheel bearings are making noise. What could be the issue?
Noise arising from the wheel or tire area of a moving vehicle is the most prevalent and frequently most recognizable sign linked to a damaged wheel bearing. If you pay close attention, you could hear a grinding or grating sound that gets louder as the vehicle speeds up. The noise can be mistaken for something else as it’s an uncommon event. You shouldn’t disregard this because it can be a warning sign that your wheel bearing is having problems.
How can I determine which Wheel bearing is bad?
It could be difficult to determine which wheel bearing is damaged unless you’re an experienced mechanic. Unusual noises may be heard, but their source is difficult to identify. Some folks can lift the car and then check each tire for looseness with the right tools and equipment. Extra play can be the root of the problem. For the majority of drivers, it’s advisable to take the car to a reliable tire shop to have it thoroughly inspected.
How long does it take to replace Wheel Bearings?
Depending on the complexity and type of vehicle, replacing a single wheel bearing can take 90 to 120 minutes. To carry out this kind of work, several moving parts must be maintained and properly sealed.