Steps
- Park your vehicle on a flat surface. As with most types of auto maintenance, you'll want to take all necessary...
- Use wheel chocks to secure wheels whose bearings you aren't replacing. For added stability, it can be smart to use...
- Loosen the lug nuts and lift the wheel using a jack. For proper access to the internal components of the wheel whose...
Full Answer
What are the signs of a bad wheel bearing?
Therefore, it is recommended to keep an eye for signs of a bad wheel bearing. In most cases, a bad wheel bearing makes weird noises like snapping, clicking, popping, grinding, knocking, and humming. Furthermore, a bad wheel bearing can cause wheel vibration, and brakes pull, uneven tire wear.
How much have you paid to replace a wheel bearing?
You will pay about $400, on average, for front wheel bearing replacement. The labor will be anywhere from $140-$180, while parts may cost as little as $200 or as much as $400. The difference in prices is due to the cost of parts for more expensive cars as well as the various fees that individual mechanics charge.
How much does it cost to fix wheel bearings?
You can expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $800 for a front wheel bearing replacement, depending on the type of wheel bearing and the shop that you go to. If you want to skip the labor costs and DIY, then you can expect to pay around $50 to $150 dollars on parts.
How to tell if you need a wheel bearing replaced?
Top Warning Signs Your Wheel Bearings Need Replacement
- Humming Noise. The most easily identifiable and most common symptom of bad wheel bearings is an audible one. ...
- Squealing, Growling. The typical sounds of worn-out wheel bearings are squealing and/or growling. ...
- Clicking Sound. ...
- Wheel Wobble. ...
- ABS Failure. ...
- Uneven Tire Wear. ...
- Vehicle Pulls to One Side. ...
- Steering Wheel Vibration. ...
- Steering Feels Loose. ...
Can you fix a wheel bearing yourself?
Changing your own wheel bearings is considered an intermediate job that can be done at home, but will need some speciality mechanic tools.
How much does it cost to fix front 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. 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.
Is it hard to replace front wheel bearings?
Replacing a wheel bearing that comes as an assembly with the hub and bolts to the spindle or steering knuckle is not very difficult if you have proper skills, tools and the manual. Of course, the large axle nut is very tight and can be difficult to remove.
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.
Is it worth replacing wheel bearings?
Q: “When should I replace my wheel bearings?” A: Eventually, all wheel bearings wear out and will need to be replaced. Assuming normal service under typical driving conditions, the newer, “hub-assembly” style bearings found on most modern vehicles should last around 100,000 miles when maintained properly.
How long do wheel bearings last after they start making noise?
To determine how long do wheel bearings last is tough as we mentioned before other factors can play a huge part in determining their durability. However, a wheel bearing can last an average of anywhere from 136,000 to 160,000 km which is about 85,000 to 100,000 miles.
Do you need an alignment after replacing a wheel bearing?
Yes, you will need alignment if you unbolt the knuckle. If you separate the ball joint, remove the axle from the knuckle, you can press the bearing in/out with the right tool.
What does it sound like when a wheel bearing is going out?
0:563:16What Does a Bad Wheel Bearing Sound Like? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDo it so you're gonna hear a sound that sounds a little bit like a growl. So you hear that growl.MoreDo it so you're gonna hear a sound that sounds a little bit like a growl. So you hear that growl. Sounds like the right front. Wheel. That's a pretty significant growl now the faster we get going the
What causes a wheel bearing to go bad?
Driving conditions – driving through deep water or mud can cause your wheel bearings to fail. Water, mud or other contaminants such as dust or road salt could get past the seals and enter the bearing, polluting the grease and wearing away the bearings.
How long does it take to fix a wheel bearing?
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 do you check front wheel bearings?
1:135:37How to Check a Wheel Bearing (Sound, play in the wheel, ABS light)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what we're going to do is we're going to grab the tire at the three and nine o'clock positions.MoreSo what we're going to do is we're going to grab the tire at the three and nine o'clock positions. We're going to shake it back and forth. And you can see right there you see that little play.
How much is a wheel bearing?
On average, a wheel bearing will set you back $50 to $120, while a new wheel hub costs around $200 to $500. Be careful when buying new bearings and wheel hubs as many cheap parts are unfortunately of low quality.
How do I know if my wheel bearing is bad?
The symptoms of bad wheel bearings include: Noise: A humming, rumbling or growling noise that increases with acceleration or as the vehicle turns. A loud constant whining or grinding noise when the vehicle is in motion.
How long does it take to fix a wheel bearing?
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 do you check front wheel bearings?
1:135:37How to Check a Wheel Bearing (Sound, play in the wheel, ABS light)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what we're going to do is we're going to grab the tire at the three and nine o'clock positions.MoreSo what we're going to do is we're going to grab the tire at the three and nine o'clock positions. We're going to shake it back and forth. And you can see right there you see that little play.
How to remove inner wheel bearing?
To remove the inner wheel bearing, you first need to pry the seal out of the back of the hub. You’re replacing it, so don’t worry about destroying it. A long screwdriver rocking on a fulcrum point like the handle of a hammer usually does the trick. With the seal out, withdraw the inner wheel bearing.
What is the inner bearing on a vintage car?
The inner bearing is protected by a pressed-in seal, the outer bearing by a dust cap.
How to thread castellated nut?
Once the nut is on, spin it on as far as it will go by hand, then gently use a wrench on it, as both the inner and outer bearing rings sometimes need to seat on the spindle. It should be obvious when they’re seated.
Do bearings run on surfaces?
The bearings themselves do not actually run on these surfaces. Instead, they serve as the seating surfaces for the rings in the center of the bearing assemblies. However, if these surfaces are badly pockmarked or gouged, the inner bearing rings may not sit firmly on them, allowing the entire bearing to wobble.
Do wheel bearings need to be adjusted?
If you feel play, the wheel bearing needs to be adjusted. If you can’t adjust out the play, or if when you spin it you hear and feel noise, it’s time to replace the bearings. On many vintage cars, replacing front wheel bearings is synergistic with replacing the front rotors. This is because the front rotors are often behind the front hubs, ...
How to secure wheels whose bearings aren't replacing?
2. Use wheel chocks to secure wheels whose bearings you aren't replacing. For added stability, it can be smart to use sturdy chocks to hold your vehicle's wheels in place. Obviously, you'll want to use chocks on the wheels you don't plan on modifying, as the wheels you do modify will be elevated off the ground.
What happens when you change your wheel bearings?
The worst thing that can happen when changing your wheel bearings is for your vehicle to suddenly shift or roll away.
How to get bearings out of hub?
To gain access to the bearings, you'll need to take apart the hub. You'll probably need to use a wrench (and/or a hammer) to remove the end of the hub and any anti-lock brake wheel that may be part of your hub. Then, you may need to use a specialized "puller" tool to remove the central bolt.
What to do if your ABS light turns on?
If you notice a humming or whirring noise while you are driving or your ABS light turns on, it may be time to change your bearings. You can save money by changing your own wheel bearings rather than going to a mechanic, but if you do so, use caution — the bearings may be small, but they're very important.
How to secure brake caliper?
When removing the caliper, be careful not to let it dangle freely, as this can damage the brake hose. Instead, hook it on a secure part of the undercarriage or use a short length of string to tie it in place. A bungee cord or a bent wire hanger are two additional ways to secure the caliper. ...
Do you need a jack to lift a wheel?
Luckily, most vehicles come with a jack for just this purpose. Before you lift the wheel, however, you may want to slightly loosen the lug nuts with a tire iron, as breaking their initial resistance is harder without the ground holding the wheel steady. After this, carefully lift your wheel.
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.
Front-Wheel Bearings – Traditional Cone or Roller
Traditional cone or roller bearings in older 2WD vehicles are often serviced when removing the rotors during a brake job. These bearings can easily be replaced, are less expensive to buy, and generally cost around $6-20.00 per unit, and $80-100.00 to service, along with the cost of replacing the rotor usually, as the bearing race is pressed in.
Front Wheel Bearings – Hub Style
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.
Rear-Wheel Bearings
Rear wheel bearings today are usually no different than fronts in terms of a complete hub bearing or pressed-on units. In the vast majority of cases here, a complete unit is used and unbolted / bolted to the rear transaxle (2WD vehicles) or independent rear axle.
Can You Drive a Car with a Bad Wheel Bearing?
With the wheel bearing replacement cost in mind, you may be wondering if you can drive with a bad wheel bearing. A bad wheel bearing needs to be changed as soon as possible. There is no lubrication on a bad wheel bearing.
Can You Replace Wheel Bearings Yourself?
You can lower your wheel bearing replacement cost by changing them yourself. You should be able to do this in your own garage. However, it will require some specialized tools.
How Long Does it Take to Replace Wheel Bearings?
While you can lower your wheel bearing replacement cost by doing it yourself, be prepared to invest a bit of time into the repair. Experience is among the key elements impacting completion time and the estimates above are based on professional book times, not “I’m doing this for the first time” times.
Can You Check Wheel Bearings?
When doing any regular vehicle maintenance or if you suspect a wheel bearing issue, they can be inspected. Do the following to check your bearings for wear without taking the wheels off.
