Repairing Guides

how much does it cost to repair front wheel bearings

by Dr. Glen Hoeger Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The national average is about $350 to fix the wheel bearings at one wheel. As you might imagine, however, luxury brands cost more. Please note: If the wheel bearings need replacing at one wheel, you don't necessary need to replace the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle. It's not like matching a pair of tires.

How much does it cost to repair front wheel bearings?

If you have to pay for a mechanic, it will cost you anywhere between $350-$450 for their service. On average, you will spend less money replacing all the wheel bearings in your car than replacing them individually. If you have to replace both the front and rear wheel bearings, it will cost anywhere between $800-$1000.

How much does a front wheel bearing cost?

You can expect to pay between $400-$650 to replace your front wheel bearing and for the hub assembly. The cost of a front wheel bearing replacement can be broken down into parts and labor. The cost of the parts to replace a wheel bearing will range from $50 to $200, depending on the quality of the wheel bearing you purchase.

How much do wheel bearings cost?

What Do Various Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost. On Average, Wheel bearing replacement costs between $200 and $800. The labor costs for replacing a wheel bearing are between $140 and $200, while the parts cost between $150 and $400. This price range does not include taxes or fees and does not consider your vehicle and unique location.

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What happens if your wheel bearing is worn out?

If a wheel bearing is worn out or defective, it will cause your car to slow down unintentionally or it will prevent your car from moving at all. If the car slows down then you’ll notice a lot of shakiness and loud squeaky noises when it moves.

How much does it cost to replace rear wheel bearings?

Rear Wheel Bearings. On average, you can expect to pay between $190 and $310 for the parts associated with replacing your rear wheel bearings. The average labor costs will be between $225 and $350.

Why do bicycles have bearings?

You’ll even find them in bicycles because they use wheels to move as well. Bearings come in many different shapes and sizes, depending on the make and model of your car. The job of a wheel bearing is to help the wheel spin without causing much friction. If a wheel bearing is worn out or defective, it will cause your car to slow down unintentionally ...

Can you replace bearings that are sealed?

You may think it would be wise to have your bearings serviced but you won’t be able to do that because the bearings are sealed. All you can do is wait for them to go bad and then replace them.

Is labor more expensive than parts?

The sad thing is the labor costs are usually more money than the parts cost. But if you don’t know anything about auto mechanics then you don’t want to risk doing the job yourself or else you could cause additional costly damage to your car.

How much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing?

For most vehicles, wheel bearing replacement cost is usually between $125 and $750, and rear-wheel bearing replacement cost is usually the same as a front wheel bearing replacement. For example, you might pay between $125 to $750 at your local mechanic for both labor and parts needed to replace the wheel bearing, with a 12-month warranty, whereas a Midas will most likely charge you between $125 and $650 for the same exact service on similar terms. The parts you can purchase online and wheel bearing prices are usually $135 to $650 depending on which online retailer you buy from, with the most popular options being Amazon and Walmart.

When Should You Replace Wheel Bearings?

Some of the most common symptoms of a defective wheel bearing include a shaky steering wheel, tires that make a noise when driving and wheels that just don’t seem to move the way they usually do. The best course of action to take in this instance would be to get it checked by a professional mechanic, who will do a full examination. In the meantime, you can do a few tests on your own to see what the problem is.

Why is it important to have your wheel bearings inspected?

It’s important to get your wheel bearing inspected on a regular basis, especially if you have an older vehicle model. A faulty wheel bearing can significantly affect the essential functions of the car such as acceleration, braking, and steering, so you want to take care of any problems as they arise.

What is the role of wheel bearings in cars?

The wheel bearing is primarily responsible for enabling the wheels to spin while experiencing very little friction. Below you will find how much does a wheel bearing replacement ...

What happens when a mechanic unties lug nuts?

Once he’s untied the lug nuts, he’ll specifically jack up the wheel that’s being repaired.

Why do wheel bearings need to be sealed?

These days, wheel bearings are created with a coating that seals them to protect the components inside from dirt, debris, water and the elements at large. Moisture and heat are two of the major wheel bearing threats that you should look out for. For example, the bearing will rust and eventually disintegrate if water gets into it, whereas a total lack of lubrication will cause the bearing to heat up rapidly, causing friction that eventually destroys it.

How to save on wheel bearing replacement?

Ideally, the best way to cut costs on a wheel bearing replacement is to get different quotations from various mechanics in your local area and go with the one that offers the best value for money and has a good reputation. You can try to find wheel bearing coupons. Whatever you do, don’t try to do this repair on your own even if you know how to replace a wheel bearing, because it’s very tricky and any small mistake can have serious consequences on the safety of your car. The easiest way to find service providers in your area would be to search online using relevant keywords like “wheel bearing replacement near me”, “wheel bearing price” or “wheel bearing repair cost”, “wheel bearing cost”.

What Is A Wheel Bearing?

A wheel bearing plays a crucial role in the movement of a vehicle’s wheels, as it allows the wheels to rotate with minimal friction. It’s part of the assembly that connects the wheel to the axle and consists of a set of steel balls or tapered bearings held together by a metal ring.

What causes a car to make a noise when turning?

Faulty wheel bearings can cause your vehicle to make a variety of strange noises that become more pronounced as it accelerates or makes a turn. You may notice some humming, growling, or rumbling, not to mention loud and persistent whining or grinding noises.

What type of wheel bearings are most common?

Ball bearings are the most common type of wheel bearings and also the most versatile. Their design allows them to absorb both thrust and radial loads.

Why do front wheel bearings wear out faster than rear wheel bearings?

Integrated into the steering knuckle arm assembly and connected to your vehicle’s drive axle components, front wheel bearings tend to suffer more stress than the rear bearing due to the steering and wear out quicker, as a result. Even so, they can last the entire life of the car or truck under proper driving conditions.

What is the purpose of wheel bearings?

Wheel bearings come in different shapes and sizes, but they all serve the same purpose, which is to allow your wheels to rotate freely without being impeded by excess friction.

What causes wheel bearings to wear out faster?

Modifying your car with bigger rims, tires with lower thread walls, stiffer shock absorbers and suspension springs, etc. will cause the wheel bearings to bear higher loads and wear out quicker.

What happens if you don't have wheel bearings?

Without wheel bearings, your wheels would likely slide over the ground as opposed to roll, which is to say you won’t get far in your car.

Why does my wheel bearing make a groaning sound?

They tend to grind, making a loud groaning sound. This is a result of the steel balls making contact with the race due to a lack of lubrication.

How to tell if wheel bearings are bad?

The first of these feelings that you’ll find is vibration . When a wheel bearing begins to go bad you’ll feel it in one or two places, either vibrating through the steering column and into your hands, and/or in the entire vehicle itself. This vibration is a pretty good indicator that a wheel bearing may be starting to go bad.

What does it feel like to have a bad wheel bearing?

The other kind of feeling you’ll get from a bad wheel bearing is pulling. The vehicle may be traveling in a straight line, but through the steering wheel you’ll feel it trying to drift to one side or the other.

Why do tires wear unevenly?

Often, tires can wear unevenly due to alignment issues , but in the case of a bad wheel bearing you’ll most often find that the wear on one tire is worse than the others. This is the bad wheel in the bunch. This uneven wear is noticeable, and will persist on the wheel with the bad bearing as you rotate your tires.

What is the best app to buy a car?

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

What is a wheel bearing?

What’s a Wheel Bearing Do? Wheel bearings are the component that allow the other parts of your wheels to work smoothly. The wheel bearings are a series of steel balls encased in the hub of your wheel. They are packed with grease, and as your wheel spins they move inside a race, the metal ring that holds them in place.

What does it mean when you start your car and hear a heavy grinding noise?

So let’s say that when you’re driving you start to hear a heavy grinding but only while in motion. That could be the sound of a wheel bearing telling you it’s time to be repaired, or replaced.

How serious is a Wheel Bearing failure?

A very worn wheel bearing can result in a car that won’t move at all. A bad wheel bearing will also create a lot of heat while driving, which can cause other parts to take damage from it.

How often do Wheel Bearings need replacement?

The replacement time can differ a lot, and in some cars, you do never have to replace the wheel bearings in the car’s whole lifetime.

How do you know if you have a bad wheel bearing?

The most common symptoms of a bad wheel bearing are grinding or grating noises, uneven tire wear, play in the wheel, and stability problems. Learn more about the symptoms here: Symptoms of a bad wheel bearing

How to replace wheel bearings?

A Mechanic’s Tips about Wheel Bearing replacement 1 Always make sure that you have the right tools for the job before starting the procedure. Some wheel bearing replacements needs a press tool. You do also need the right adapters to make sure you are not pressing on the bearings. 2 Replace all necessary bolts like bolts for control arms, driveshaft nut, and other bolts you remove on the way. 3 Wheel bearings can be difficult to diagnose, so make sure you replace the right wheel bearing. Lift the car and turn the wheel to listen for any strange noises around it. 4 Do not forget to lubricate all parts before installing everything together again. You will thank yourself the next time you replace something in the suspension the next time.

Do you need a press tool for wheel bearing replacement?

Always make sure that you have the right tools for the job before starting the procedure. Some wheel bearing replacements needs a press tool. You do also need the right adapters to make sure you are not pressing on the bearings.

Do you have to replace the wheel hub?

The replacement of the wheel bearing replacement differs between the front or rear axle. If your car model does not have separate wheel bearings, you may have to replace the whole wheel hub, and ABS sensor, which increases the part costs a lot.

Do you have to lubricate all parts before installing everything together again?

Do not forget to lubricate all parts before installing everything together again. You will thank yourself the next time you replace something in the suspension the next time.

How to tell if wheel bearings are bad?

A common symptom of a bad wheel bearing is when your tires have a loud grinding noise. This happens when wheel bearings lose their lubricity, and heat builds up inside them.

Why do tires wear out?

Usually, when a tire wears out, it would wear out evenly from just simply driving them. If your tires are unevenly worn, this could be due to a defective wheel bearing.

How many miles can a wheel bearing cover?

Generally, cars with noisy wheel bearings can cover around 1k to 1.5k miles before the wheel bearings completely give up and fail. The range of your car’s mileage and driving conditions will all affect it, ranging from a variation of one car to another.

What is a wheel bearing?

A wheel bearing is a metal circle that has a set of bearings. It helps your wheel spin smoothly with the least friction. Bearings can be used for many purposes and help to reduce friction. Your wheel bearing’s ball bearings are made from steel. The wheel bearing itself may come in different sizes and shapes.

How to get the best wheel bearing replacement cost?

To get the best wheel bearing replacement cost for your vehicle and location , be sure to visit multiple shops and mechanics. This will ensure that you get the best wheel bearing replacement cost for your car and that your car receives the best possible service.

Why does my wheel bearing pull?

A wheel bearing can wear and become corroded, pitted, or damaged. The rough surface causes vibration and causes it to vibrate. Your vehicle may pull slightly to one side due to this vibration.

What happens if you get a steering wheel problem?

If the problem gets worse, then your steering wheel will start to vibrate. This vibration will be felt slower, but it will become more severe as you accelerate and step on the gas pedal.

What Is The Average Price of the Front Wheel Bearing Replacement?

So, the cost can be split into two: labor cost and the cost of the part itself. The replacement part can cost you anywhere from $200 to $500 on average.

How long does it take to Replace a Front Wheel Bearing?

For instance, a front wheel bearing on a light car or truck will take no more than one hour, of course, assuming that the guy attending the vehicle knows what he is doing.

What are the Symptoms of a Bad Front Wheel Bearing?

The cost for a wheel bearing replacement may vary, but the symptoms are universal for mostly all vehicles. As such, your car will alert you of a faulty front wheel bearing in a number of different ways. Let’s look at the signs:

What Causes the Front Wheel Bearings to Fail?

Wheel bearings can fail due to several reasons. The bearings may simply wear away with age. Over here, driving conditions matter because rough driving often causes them to age quickly. At times, overheating may cause them to go bad.

How long do wheel bearings last?

Depending on how a vehicle is driven, a wheel bearing can last for 80,000 to 120,000 miles. So, it’s not one of those car parts that fail frequently.

Why do wheel bearings go bad?

Incorrect alignment or poor installation may also lead them to go bad before nearing their actual lifespan. Usually, this could be a former mechanic’s fault, and you may have nothing to do with it. In some cases, car accidents may cause the wheel bearings to fail. This is especially true when the car collision is due to a side impact.

What happens if you get bad bearings replaced?

Of course, after you get the bad bearings replaced with the new ones, these symptoms will vanish. But then, if these mild signals are ignored for long, you run the risk of brake failure, followed by loss of steering control, and, finally, the wheel getting separated from the vehicle.

What are wheel bearings?

Wheel bearings are a vital part of a vehicle’s braking, steering and suspension systems. They’re a set of steel balls or tapered bearings that sit inside the one-piece hub assembly, located between the drive axle and the brake disc or drums. Bearings allow the wheels to turn smoothly, with as little friction as possible.

What are the warning signs of bad wheel bearings?

These are the ways to tell if something is amiss with your wheel bearings.

How long do wheel bearings last?

In theory, wheel bearings could last as long as your car. Unlike oil changes or tire rotations, there’s no standard maintenance schedule for replacing them. However, they can be damaged, especially if you hit a pothole, clip a curb or drive over a speed bump too fast. (And who hasn’t done that?)

What happens when the wheel bearings fail?

Having bad wheel bearings can range from inconvenience and unpleasant to downright dangerous.

What happens if you ignore worn out wheel bearings?

In addition, ignoring worn-out wheel bearings can damage the vehicle’s inner or outer CV joints (constant velocity joints), which attaches to the driveshaft and transmission.

How much does it cost to fix a wheel bearing?

The national average is about $350 to fix the wheel bearings at one wheel. As you might imagine, however, luxury brands cost more.

What happens if you drive on a failing bearing?

It may also be evident by a vibration that travels up your steering wheel. The longer you drive on failing bearings, the more expensive the damage to your vehicle can be.

What Is A Wheel Bearing?

As mentioned previously, a wheel bearing allows the wheel to rotate seamlessly. In a car, the bearings are usually tapered rolling bearings, but roller and ball bearings exist as well.

Why is it important to keep wheel bearings clean?

This is important because the wheel bearings contain lots of greases inside to keep everything running smoothly. If debris or water comes in contact, it will diminish the work done by the grease, causing damage to the bearing.

What happens if you have a bad wheel alignment?

A bad wheel bearing may make the wheel wobble, causing uneven contact with the ground and consequently, uneven tire wear .

How long do wheel bearings last?

Wheel bearings have a high lifespan, around 100 000 miles, but as with everything in the car world, they will eventually need to be replaced.

Why does my car make a whining noise?

Sometimes, the noise is constant and produces more of a whining noise. It is also possible that you hear a faulty wheel bearing when driving on an uneven road surface.

What are the downsides of only replacing wheel bearings?

The downside of only replacing the wheel bearing is that it is more labor-intensive and special tools are needed.

What are the two main manifestations of steering?

The two main steering manifestations are loose steering and steering wheel vibrations.

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