Wheel bearings are components that make it possible for the wheels on your car to spin freely and with the least amount of resistance possible. A wheel bearing is a group of steel balls that are kept together inside the hub of the wheel in a race made of metal. While driving, if you hear a humming or moaning noise, one of your car’s wheel bearings is probably beginning to fail.
Although it requires certain specialized mechanic gear, changing your own wheel bearings is regarded as an intermediate task that may be completed at home.
The generalized instructions provided here address the three most typical wheel bearing types that are present on the majority of automobiles. Before you start the repair, make sure to get the service manual for your car and figure out what kind of wheel bearings it has.
In This Article...
Humming Noises
It’s crucial to distinguish between distinct sounds coming from a car because there are several that should raise red flags and prevent incorrect diagnoses. Noise can be deceiving because it might indicate a number of various problems, starting with your tires but also including the wheel bearing or CV joint.
Squealing & Growling
A faulty wheel bearing will typically make a cyclical chirping, squealing, or growling noise. If the sound fluctuates proportionally to the speed of the vehicle, this is another sign that it is caused by the wheel bearings. At any given moment, the sound could suddenly stop or it could get progressively worse.
Rear Differential Noise vs Wheel Bearing Noise
A howling sound that only happens when accelerating is a pretty good sign that the pinion bearing preload is loose. If the howling occurs when accelerating at various speeds, worn-out gears are most likely to blame. However, when they don’t support the gears properly, excessively worn out bearings also have a tendency to howl. When rotating, they frequently emit a rumbling sound.
If you replace a wheel bearing, do you then need an 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.
What is the time required to replace a wheel bearing?
According to our research, replacing a wheel bearing takes an average of 1 to 2 hours.
The time it takes to replace a wheel bearing might vary significantly from car to car because wheel bearing components can be very different between different automobile makes and models.
Depending on whether the bearing is on the front or back wheel, the time required to replace a wheel bearing also varies slightly. Rear wheel bearing replacements typically take under an hour, whereas front wheel bearing replacements often take roughly 90 minutes.
What equipment is required to replace a wheel bearing?
How Do I Replace a Wheel Bearing? What Equipment Do I Need?
- a pair of pliers with needle-noses.
- ratchet wrench and a range of socket sizes.
- screwdriver with a flat head.
- jack.
- wheel nut removing with a star wrench.
Can a wheel bearing have too much grease in it?
When a bearing cavity contains too much grease (over greasing), the spinning bearing elements will start to roil the grease and push it out of the way, causing energy loss and rising temperatures. The rolling parts may experience faster wear as a result, leading to component failure.
What occurs if a bearing is over-greased?
When a bearing cavity has too much grease (overgreasing), the revolving bearing parts start to churn the grease and push it out of the way, which results in energy loss and elevated temperatures.
Should wheel bearings be greased?
To enable the wheel to freely rotate, the majority of hub assemblies use a rolling-element bearing on the spindle. To withstand loads in various directions, these are frequently tapered element bearings. They are frequently mounted on steering wheels in pairs. You might locate conventional ball bearings for driving or idle wheels, also referred to as wheels that don’t steer.
Although these bearings can decrease the amount of friction between the moving elements, they must be oiled on a regular basis to ensure the assembly’s full life. This begs the question of what kind of lubricant should be applied to the bearing in order to protect it, lubricate it, and ensure that it will operate without issue for a long time.
How is a front wheel drive wheel bearing removed?
The seal on the back of the hub must first be forced out in order to remove the inner wheel bearing. Don’t worry about breaking it; you’re replacing it. Usually, a long screwdriver with a fulcrum point like a hammer handle will do the task. Take the inner wheel bearing out while the seal is out.
How much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing?
The national average for replacing one wheel’s wheel bearings is roughly $350. But as you might expect, luxury brands are more expensive. Please note: You don’t necessarily need to repair the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle if the bearings at one wheel need to be replaced. It differs from matching a set of tires.
What would happen if a wheel bearing broke while you were driving?
The noise that a failing wheel bearing will create is the most frequent and obvious symptom of the problem. You should take your car to your mechanic to have the wheel bearings checked if you notice a growling, rumbling, humming, screeching, or squealing sound that gets louder or disappears as you adjust your driving pace.
Have your wheel bearings and shocks/struts examined if you frequently rotate your tires but there is still noticeably uneven wear on them.
If your wheel bearing breaks, the wheel may stop while you are driving or perhaps come off entirely. It’s very important to keep an eye on these and keep them maintained because, at the at least, a failing wheel bearing can/will cause severe damage to your car before a wheel falls off. Do not drive on a wheel if you think the bearings may be failing. Visit your mechanic right away. And if you have any concerns at all concerning your wheel bearings, don’t be afraid to ask your mechanic. They aim to keep you secure and are happy to assist.
What makes my car hum so loudly while I’m driving?
Possible causes include a number of things. Make a note of the noise’s occurrence time so you can assist your mechanic with problem diagnosis. A humming noise coming from your car may indicate that the differential requires lubrication, the transmission needs repair, or the wheel bearings or universal joints need to be replaced.
What to do: Pay close attention to what transpires just before and after your car makes the noise. Give your mechanic as much information as you can; without a careful, expert inspection, it may be challenging to pinpoint the issue. Without having a mechanic examine your car, don’t let the noises persist.