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Wheel Bearing And Replacement Cost, A wheel bearing connects the axle and wheel, enabling uninterrupted rotation of the wheel.
A wheel bearing typically lasts for roughly 100,000 kilometers. Like everything else in the motor business, they will eventually need to be replaced.
You will learn all you need to know about wheel bearings in this article, including how to spot issues and how much it will cost to fix them.
Before going further into the warning indications of a failing wheel bearing and the cost of replacement, let’s first define a wheel bearing.
Let’s start with the basics!
What Is A Wheel Bearing?
As was previously said, a wheel bearing enables the wheel to rotate smoothly. Although they are also available, roller and ball bearings are more frequently used in vehicles than tapered rolling bearings.
The form of the item positioned between the two metal rings determines the difference. Various shapes bear loads differently because they have different properties.
The wheel bearing needs to be sturdy enough to withstand the forces applied to the wheel of a car during acceleration, braking, and turning.
The hub assembly of each wheel contains the wheel bearing. A wheel seal is fitted to prevent water and other debris from entering the bearings.
This is important since wheel bearings require a lot of oil to function correctly. The amount of work the grease can do will be reduced and the bearing will be harmed if water or dirt get inside.
Symptoms of a Worn-Out Wheel Bearing
Unless there is a sudden problem with the wheel seal or you hit a major pothole, wheel bearings normally degrade gradually, allowing you enough time to take action.
Wheel bearings deteriorate more quickly when you drive through potholes or through other challenging conditions like dirt and deep water.
Due to a variety of factors, even though your inner kid wants to drive across a big puddle, you should not do so.
In any case, you can suffer any of the following signs and symptoms if you do have wheel bearing problems:
- Loud noise
- Steering problems
- Differential Tire Wear
- The ABS is ineffective
Loud Noise
Noise is the most frequent sign of a bad wheel bearing. Depending on the cause of the problem, different noises could be generated.
It’s probable that you’ll hear a rumbling or growling sound when you drive forward or make a turn.
Occasionally, the noises may stop before later returning. Modern cars are quite sound-insulating, thus it’s also possible that when driving you won’t hear the noise but a pedestrian outside will.
There are times when the noise is louder and whinier-sounding. You could hear a worn-out wheel bearing when driving on an uneven road surface.
Steering problems
The wheel bearing is very important when steering. A defective one could result in a variety of problems.
The two main steering issues that could arise are loose steering and steering wheel vibrations.
The harshness of the steering wheel vibrations frequently increases with speed. Get off the road immediately if you notice this while driving.
Your car may have a bad wheel bearing if it veers to one side when traveling straight. However, this problem is often caused by faulty brakes or incorrect wheel alignment (if it happens during braking).
However, it’s crucial to understand that even if your wheel alignment is correct, there might still be a problem with the wheel bearings.
The possibility of the entire vehicle shaking exists, but, as with the aforementioned problem, there are a number of possible causes.
Differential Tire Wear
Another symptom that is frequently related to inadequate wheel alignment is uneven tire wear. A bad wheel bearing can cause the wheel to wobble, which can lead to uneven ground contact and tire degradation.
Remember that this is another symptom that commonly results from other flawed components, so make sure you rule out any other possible culprits. 3 Factors that influence How long should a tire last.
The ABS is ineffective
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) could not work properly if the wheel bearing is broken.
A wheel speed sensor that works closely with the ABS is located on the wheel hub. If the wheel bearing is destroyed, vibrations and shaking will put the sensor in danger.
As a result of the system’s inability to operate properly, the ABS warning light will turn on.
How much wheel bearing replacement
If at all possible, stay off the road and have a bad wheel bearing fixed as soon as you can.
If a wheel bearing suddenly breaks and the wheel begins to wobble, you should stop as soon as it is safe to do so. A wheel bearing that has been damaged puts a lot of strain on the other components of your car.
It is preferable to take your car to a trained mechanic since it is essential that the wheel bearing be installed correctly.
Incorrectly installed wheel bearings can only lead to further problems in the future. Most wheel bearings need the use of a number of specialized (and pricey) equipment.
If you have the equipment, you probably also have the know-how to replace them.
The cost to repair a wheel bearing varies based on the type of car you drive, just like any other auto part.
The wheel bearing is either integrated in the hub or is available as an option on cars, so the manufacturer is not the sole consideration.
If the wheel bearing and hub can be separated, the cost of purchasing only the wheel bearing is theoretically far lower than the cost of purchasing the complete hub.
The disadvantage of only changing the wheel bearing is that it takes more time and needs specialist tools.
Wheel Bearing And Replacement Cost
The only remaining option is to buy a new wheel hub. Although there is far less work involved, replacing a hub will be substantially more expensive than changing only a wheel bearing.
While a wheel bearing normally costs between $50 and $120, a replacement wheel hub frequently costs between $200 and $500.
When buying replacement bearings and wheel hubs, exercise caution since regrettably, many cheap parts are of subpar quality.
High-quality materials are necessary for wheel bearings to withstand all strains. Your safety might be in jeopardy and it could wind up costing you considerably more in the long run if you use a cheap wheel bearing.
The cost of labor for replacing a wheel bearing might vary, but is often between $60 and $300. It should take one to two work hours to replace the wheel bearing.
Replacement wheel bearings typically cost between $150 and $800. Whether the entire hub is replaced or only the wheel bearing will depend on the type of car.
Wheel Bearing Replacement FAQ
What are wheel bearings?
Wheel bearings are necessary for the suspension, steering, and braking systems of an automobile. Between the drive axle and the braking drums or discs, the one-piece hub assembly contains a set of steel balls or tapered bearings. Wheels can revolve smoothly and with the least amount of friction thanks to bearings.
The actual bearings are packed closely, lubricated, and protected by a watertight ring. There is a cage within each wheel hub that is referred to as a race. More about wheel bearing.
What does it cost to replace wheel bearings?
The cost of replacing one front wheel hub assembly varies. Some of the considerations include the manufacturer and model, the cost of components and labor at the shop.
The national average for wheel bearing replacement is about $350. However, quality products are more expensive, as you might anticipate.
Please take note: If the bearings at one wheel need to be changed, you don’t necessarily have to fix the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle. It is distinct from coordinating a set of tires.
The good thing is Kelley will look after you well. We’ve been providing discounts and different prices for over a century. You may rely on the Fair Repair Range, which calculates an estimate of what you should pay for upkeep or repairs based on what previous customers have paid.
What are the warning signs of bad wheel bearings?
These are the indicators that your wheel bearings need to be checked.
- Humming noise
- Squealing, growling
- Steering wheel vibrations
- Clicking sound
- Wheel wobble
- Vehicle pulls to one side
- ABS failure
- Steering feels loose
- Uneven tire wear
How long do wheel bearings last?
In theory, wheel bearings might last as long as your car. They don’t follow a predetermined maintenance schedule like tire rotations or oil changes. However, they are prone to damage, especially if you run over a speed bump, clip a curb, or hit a pothole.
If water, dirt, salt, or sand enter the bearings, the grease in the hub assembly will become contaminated. As a result, the bearings will degrade and eventually stop functioning. Additionally, ignoring worn-out wheel bearings might result in damage to the car’s inner or outer CV joints, which link to the driveshaft and gearbox.
What happens when the wheel bearings fail?
Wheel bearing issues can range from being inconvenient and painful to being potentially dangerous.
If your wheel bearings are worn out, you may notice the car pulling to one side, sloppy or loose steering, grinding and rattling noises, and uneven tire wear.
The worst-case scenario is that you may crash while driving and lose control of the wheel. Even if you have little knowledge of automobiles, you probably already know it would be awful.
