Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost
- Rear Wheel Bearings. On average, you can expect to pay between $190 and $310 for the parts associated with replacing your rear wheel bearings.
- Front Wheel Bearings. As for replacing your front wheel bearings, this service actually costs more. ...
- Front and Rear Wheel Bearings. ...
- Hub Bearing. ...
What is the average cost of replacing wheel bearings?
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. The average cost for a Wheel Bearing Replacement is between $240 and $267 but can vary from car to car.
How much does a wheel bearing cost to get fixed?
When labor is factored in, the total labor costs can cost anywhere from $150 to as much as $350 per front or rear bearing. If more than one bearing needs to replaced, this quote can easily double. This will all depend on the shop’s labor rate, but most will be between $40 to $75 per hour, and each bearing should take about two hours to fix/replace.
What tools are needed to change a wheel bearing?
Things You'll Need
- Wheel bearing assembly
- Breaker bar
- Jack
- Socket set
- Ratchet
- Screwdriver
- Rubber mallet
- Sandpaper
When should I replace my wheel bearings?
What to look for when buying or replacing bearings
- Beware of cheap bearings constructed of low quality steel with poor heat-treating. ...
- Cheaper hub assemblies might include bearings that are smaller than OEM, which is another factor that could lead to early part failure. ...
- Note that manufacturers recommend a torque wrench rather than an impact wrench when installing. ...
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.
Can you drive with a damaged wheel bearing?
Q: Is it safe to drive with a bad wheel bearing? A: No. It can, in fact, be very dangerous to drive if one of your bearings is worn out, especially since it may cause the wheel to stop while driving. Additionally, a damaged wheel bearing puts a lot of stress on the hub, the CV joint, and the transmission itself.
How much is labor for wheel bearing?
The average cost to replace this part is between $400 to $500 for one side including the labor. Again, these are only estimates but they should give you a rough idea of the kind of money you should expect to pay for fixing your wheel bearings.
How long can I drive on a noisy wheel bearing?
Typically, you shouldn't exceed 1,000 miles on a bad wheel bearing. Driving for distances longer than 1,000 miles could lead to serious complications with your vehicle. Continuing to put stress on this wheel bearing will also hurt the hub, CV joint, and even the transmission.
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.
Can I change just one wheel bearing?
If bearings go bad at one wheel, it is unnecessary to replace the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle.
Is it expensive to replace 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 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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Where is the wheel bearing on a skateboard?
Think about it like a skateboard bearing, if you’re familiar, but on a much larger and more complex scale. The wheel bearing is at the center of the wheel, in its hub , and it allows for the wheel to move smoothly. Without it, your wheels wouldn’t spin efficiently, or spin at all, really.
Do you have to replace a wheel bearing?
Now, you may never have to replace a wheel bearing, as they’re typically pretty hardy. However, if you do, there’s a chance that the wheel bearing opposite the bad one has suffered through the same experiences that the bad one has. Keeping that in mind, it’s safe to say that it’s nearing the end of its life, as well.
Can a wheel bearing go bad?
Well, as a general rule of thumb, yes. When you’ve identified that one wheel bearing has gone bad, then it’s likely the problem has affected the other side of the vehicle. When a part goes bad on one side of the vehicle, the other side of the vehicle tends to compensate, affecting its overall performance, as well.
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 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, ...
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 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.
Why is the wheel bearing lubricated?
The wheel bearing is lubricated with grease in order to further reduce friction.
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.
Symptoms Of A Bad Wheel Bearing
Unless there is a sudden problem with the wheel seal or you hit a large pothole, wheel bearings usually deteriorate gradually and therefore give you enough time to act.
Replacement Cost
A bad wheel bearing should be replaced as soon as possible, and you should keep your driving to a minimum.
Summary
Wheel bearings are important components of your car that help your wheel rotate smoothly. They usually have a long lifespan, typically lasting for around 100,000 miles.
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.
How to replace wheel bearings?
When replacing wheel bearings, keep in mind: 1 If the car has a substantial number of miles on the failed bearing (100,000 miles or more), it is a good idea to replace both bearings (driver and passenger) on the axle at the same time. 2 Wheel bearing noise can be confused with tire noise from defective tires. In difficult cases, a mechanic will apply remote wireless microphones at all 4 wheel positions, and then drive the car while listening to a remote receiver, switching between wheel positions to pinpoint the location of the failed bearing.
How many miles does it take to replace a wheel bearing?
When replacing wheel bearings, keep in mind: If the car has a substantial number of miles on the failed bearing (100,000 miles or more), it is a good idea to replace both bearings (driver and passenger) on the axle at the same time.
What is a wheel bearing?
The wheel bearings support the front and rear axle, and all the weight of your car. Wheel bearings are made with a high-precision technique using extremely hard steel in order to withstand all the normal impacts that occur to the wheel and tire assembly as you drive along the road.
What happens if your wheel hub moves up and down?
Should the wheel hub move up and down or in and out, the bearing may be worn. Vibration in the steering wheel or vehicle body and/or wandering. Vibration and lack of directional stability could be consequences of loose or worn out wheel bearings. Tire and wheel assembly does not turn smoothly.
What is the purpose of removing the steering knuckle from a vehicle?
On vehicles where the wheel bearing is pressed into a cavity within the steering knuckle, the steering knuckle must be removed from the vehicle in order to press out the old bearing and press in the new bearing.
