QA

Quick Answer: How To Replace Wheel Bearings

Can I replace a wheel bearing myself?

Usually located in the wheel’s hub, rotor, or brake drum, bearings help the wheel rotate smoothly when the vehicle moves. 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 much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing?

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.

Is replacing a wheel bearing hard?

Changing your own wheel bearings is considered an intermediate job that can be done at home, but will need some speciality mechanic tools. Be sure to obtain your vehicle’s service manual and identify the type of wheel bearing your vehicle is equipped with before you begin the repair.

How long does it take to change a wheel bearing?

How long does it take to replace Wheel Bearings? Replacing a single wheel bearing can take 90 to 120 minutes depending on the type of vehicle and complexity. There are a lot of moving parts that need to be maintained and properly sealed to complete this type of work.

Can you replace a wheel bearing without replacing the hub?

On some cars, you can just replace the bearing and call it a day. On others, the hub assembly must be removed and replaced. The most difficult type involves removing the hub assembly and setting it in a press. If you’re not sure what type of wheel hub assembly you have, stop by or give your local Pep Boys store a call.

How long will a wheel bearing last after it starts making noise?

Typically, a wheel bearing should last roughly 1,000 to 1,500 miles after it starts making noise. This doesn’t mean you should keep driving since a noisy wheel bearing is always a risk. When your wheel bearings are making noise, it’s a sign that something is not working properly and might fail when you’re driving.

What causes wheel bearings 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.

Can you drive a car with a broken 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 easy to fix wheel bearings?

Is it easy to replace a wheel bearing at home? 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.

Do new wheel bearings need to break in?

Many newer cars now have the wheel bearings in a “hub.” They are sealed in and don’t need to be lubed and are ready to go, so, no, they don’t need a break in period at all. If you have the bearings that are replaceable, they just need to be installed and greased properly, tightened correctly.

Are left and right wheel bearings the same?

The left and right wheel bearings are the same part numbers. There is a difference in hubs for 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive vehicles.

Do you need to replace both wheel bearings at the same time?

If bearings go bad at one wheel, it is not necessary to replace the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle. Don’t let someone talk you into work that is not needed. Get the price estimate for wheel bearing replacement for your make and model of car.

Should wheel bearings be replaced in pairs?

Should car wheel bearings be replaced in pairs? No, bearings do not wear in or form to each other. You only need to replace bearings that are actually bad.

How much is a front wheel bearing?

These bearings are made to last for many years without needing to be replaced. 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 I drive on a noisy wheel bearing?

It is safe to drive with a bad wheel bearing only if you just started to hear a humming, whining, grinding, or growling sound coming from the front or rear wheels. This indicates that the wheel bearing has begun failing and you would need to replace it as soon as possible.