Repairing Guides

how much to repair bearings on a car

by Felicita Rippin 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.

How much does it cost to replace both wheel bearings?

Both Sides The cost to replace both front wheel bearings is going to be between $260 and $480. The parts alone for the front wheel bearings are about $120 to $200. However, the labor costs will be a bit more extensive at around $140 to $280.

Are bearings on a car expensive?

The vast majority of vehicles today use a complete-unit hub bearing. Here, the cost of the bearing is usually the bulk of the expense, as most hub bearings run between $80.00 to $300.00. Many of these have ABS sensors built into them. These bearings are unbolted from the steering knuckle, and a new bearing bolted on.

How much should it cost to replace front wheel bearings?

Average Cost To Replace a Wheel Bearing The overall average of what we found was between $300 and $500.

How long does it take to fix a wheel bearing?

The time taken to replace a wheel bearing is also slightly different depending on whether the bearing is on the front or rear wheel. A front wheel bearing replacement on average takes around 90 minutes, whereas a rear wheel bearing replacement takes on average just under 1 hour.

How much does it cost to replace 4 wheel bearings?

The labor cost for a wheel bearing replacement also varies and will generally cost anywhere from $60 to $300. It should take between 1 to 1.5 labor hours to change the wheel bearing. In total, the cost to replace a wheel bearing is around $150 to $800.

What does it sound like when a wheel bearing is going out?

The classic sounds of a bad wheel bearing are cyclic chirping, squealing and/or growling noise. You can also tell that the sound is related to wheel bearings if it changes in proportion to vehicle speed. The sound can get worse with every turn, or it can disappear momentarily.

What happens if you don't fix a wheel bearing?

Ultimate damage: If you don't replace a damaged wheel bearing before it fails completely, the wheel will completely seize up. If this happens while you're driving, the results can be catastrophic. This is not a component to take chances with.

What happens if a wheel bearing goes out while driving?

If your wheel bearing fails, it can cause the wheel to stop while you are driving or possibly even to fall off. At the very least, before a wheel falls off, a failed wheel bearing can/will cause significant damage to your vehicle, so it's very important to keep an eye on these and keep them maintained.

How do you know if a car wheel bearing is bad?

Top Warning Signs Your Wheel Bearings Need ReplacementHumming Noise. The most easily identifiable and common symptom of bad wheel bearings is audible. ... Squealing, Growling. ... Clicking Sound. ... Wheel Wobble. ... ABS Failure. ... Uneven Tire Wear. ... Vehicle Pulls to One Side. ... Steering Wheel Vibration.More items...

How can you tell a wheel bearing is bad?

0:183:33Bad wheel bearing: how to diagnose - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd bearings I've seen them fail in different way sometimes they have play but they don't make aMoreAnd bearings I've seen them fail in different way sometimes they have play but they don't make a sound sometimes they roar like crazy but there's no play.

What happens when a wheel bearing goes out?

If your wheel bearing fails, it can cause the wheel to stop while you are driving or possibly even to fall off. At the very least, before a wheel falls off, a failed wheel bearing can/will cause significant damage to your vehicle, so it's very important to keep an eye on these and keep them maintained.

How often do wheel bearings need to be replaced?

every 85,000-100,000 milesYour wheel bearings have a heavy impact on the handling of your vehicle. It would be extremely dangerous to drive with old wheel bearings, as it may cause your wheels to stop turning entirely and abruptly. You should expect to replace wheel bearings every 85,000-100,000 miles.

What Is a Wheel Bearing?

At each corner of your vehicle, a wheel bearing is spinning around furiously when your car rolls. The wheel bearing is the part that enables the rotation of the wheels. It is located in the center of the wheel assembly. It consists of a housing and internal roller or ball bearings that are in what are called races, or holders.

Why Do Wheel Bearings Need Replacement?

Curb strikes, pot-hole strikes, and contamination. These are the biggies. Wheel bearings can live almost indefinitely spinning around and around with a normal load in a clean test lab.

What Are the Symptoms of Needing a Wheel Bearing?

You can sometimes detect a worn wheel bearing when you drive. The cabin of the vehicle will become louder. You'll start to hear a sort of hum. Not unlike winter tire hum. “That right front wheel bearing is getting loud,” a mechanic might say if she test drives your car.

What About Electric Cars - Do They Need Wheel Bearings?

A wheel bearing is a component that all vehicles use. There is no advantage to having an EV when it comes to wheel bearings. In fact, EVs are generally heavier than other vehicles in their segment. That is not a good thing for parts that are under the vehicle holding up the load and spinning.

Are Wheel Bearings Covered Under My Warranty?

If your vehicle is still under your bumper-to-bumper warranty, a wheel bearing is likely going to be covered by that new car warranty. Unless there is obvious curb-strike damage. Extended warranties and powertrain warranties don’t usually include wheel bearings. If you have a comprehensive full-whammy extended warranty, it’s worth a try.

What Factors Determine The Cost of a Wheel Bearing Replacement?

Like many repairs, your make and model will influence how much it costs to replace a wheel bearing. Also, expect to pay a bit more for a wheel bearing replacement at a dealership. Possibly much more.

Average Cost To Replace a Wheel Bearing

Using Car Talk’s exclusive algorithm, we scoured the world wide web for prices on wheel bearing replacements. The overall average of what we found was between $300 and $500. This is the cost for a mechanic to make it happen, not the cost of the part itself. For part pricing, it is better to search online using your exact year, make, and model.

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

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.

Types 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.

Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost

Now that you know what a wheel bearing is and what could happen if it fails, let’s look at how much it costs to replace one. As stated earlier, the cost will vary depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle, as well as the labor cost charged for the repair.

Why Wheel Bearings Fail

Wheel bearings are designed to withstand a lot of abuse, but many variables can cause them to fail prematurely.

Symptoms Of Bad Wheel Bearings

When a wheel bearing becomes faulty, you will often notice one or more of the following symptoms. Don’t ignore them — get your car or truck inspected.

Wheel Bearing Replacement FAQs

Why are we not surprised that you have even more questions not only about how much it costs to replace a wheel bearing but also about wheel bearings in general? Well, keep reading for more answers.

Final Thoughts

The wheel bearing is a part of your car’s wheel assembly responsible for spinning each wheel smoothly with as little friction as possible.

How to tell if wheel bearings are bad?

Wheel bearings are hardened steel ball bearings that roll around inside a casing on your vehicle’s axles. When you hear a growling or grinding noise from your wheel or wheels, it might be indication that bearings are failing, usually due to a lack of lubrication. The noise will grow progressively worse and there will be a certain roughness to the ride of your car, truck or SUV. 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. Depending on the vehicle and its front, rear or all-wheel-drive, repairs can be quite involved. Brakes and rotor assemblies are removed first to expose the axle nut and hub assembly. The old bearings are removed and replaced with new units and then reassembled. A certified mechanic at your dealership service department or at a local automotive repair center can do the replacements.

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 Rod Bearing?

Rod bearing can be taken as two-piece smooth metal bands (top and bottom). E.g., the top half of it is a semi-circle fixed underneath the vehicle in case of driveshaft rod bearings.

Engine Rod Knock Repair Cost?

On average, expect to pay between $2,000 and $3,000 for all parts and labor.

3 Signs Of Damaged Rod Bearings

Engine noise is one of the symptoms of engine bearing failure. Even if they haven’t seen it, most drivers are aware of rod knock signs.

4 Causes Of Rod Bearing Damage

You need to hear what an engine bearing sounds like when it has been polluted or dirt-filled to figure out “what does a weak engine bearing sound like”.

Conclusion

Rod bearings allow the rods to move smoothly around the crankshaft and piston wrist pins on the two ends. Bearings in a motor can be replaced as part of an engine overhaul.

Why is the wheel bearing lubricated?

The wheel bearing is lubricated with grease in order to further reduce friction.

What happens if a wheel bearing fails?

If the wheel bearing fails completely, it's possible for the wheel to come off the vehicle and cause a wreck.

How long do tapered wheel bearings last?

Vehicles with traditional, tapered wheel bearings should have them serviced every 25,000 to 30,000 miles — replacement may not be necessary as long as they're maintained.

What happens if you drive a car to one side?

The tires wear unevenly. If the above symptoms are ignored, more serious consequences can happen: One of the wheels starts smoking. A wheel comes off the vehicle.

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