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How To Tell If Wheel Bearing Is Going Bad

Top Warning Signs Your Wheel Bearings Need Replacement Humming 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.

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.

Can I drive with a bad 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 expensive is it 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 $800.4 days ago.

Can you replace 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. 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.

How much does it cost to replace 4 wheel bearings?

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 just replace the wheel bearing and not 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.

Do wheel bearings affect brakes?

We found significant play in the bearing, which can lead to a soft brake pedal. Brake rotors are held in alignment by wheel bearings. If you have a faulty or loose wheel bearing, the rotor will wobble on its axis. This causes a low or spongy brake pedal.

How can you tell the difference between bad CV joints and bad wheel bearings?

If it moves back and forth, the wheel bearing is bad. A CV joint will make a clack, clack, clack noise, most often when turning. A wheel bearing will make a constant droning noise while you are moving. CV joints clunk or make louder noises on tight turns.

How long does it take a mechanic to change a wheel bearing?

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.

How often do bearings need to be replaced?

Most wheel bearings last about 85,000 to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced. Some vehicles have wheel bearings that last a lot longer, and some vehicles need them replaced fairly quickly. It all depends on the quality of your wheel bearings and your usual driving conditions.

Should I change wheel bearings 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.

What happens when wheel bearing fails?

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.

Should you always replace both wheel bearings?

Both wheel bearings have racked up the same number of miles, so it’s logical to conclude that both sides have probably experienced the same amount of wear. Based on this line of thinking, it would make sense to recommend replacing both wheel bearing hubs at the same time even though only one has obviously failed.

Can you fix a wheel bearing without replacing it?

Your wheel bearing may have been damaged slightly in the past and has now worn to the point it is starting to make noise. Your mechanic is correct in that the only repair for the bearing is to replace the hub. It is a sealed unit and cannot be disassembled without destroying it.

Can bad wheel bearings cause squeaking when braking?

The classic symptom of a bad wheel bearing is typically a cyclic chirping, squealing or growling noise that changes in proportion to vehicle speed. Noise that occurs only when the driver is braking is likely a brake problem such as worn pads, not a bad wheel bearing.

Can wheel bearings cause car to shake?

Bad Wheel Bearings. There’s a good chance that you see this reason all over the internet. However, it’s just not that common for a vehicle’s wheel bearings to go out. If this is the issue, you may notice a shaky steering wheel and the shaking may continue through the rest of the vehicle.

Can bad alignment cause wheel bearing damage?

Poor alignment can result in accelerated tire wear or damage. Due to the vulnerabilities of the metal components in the make-up of the system, hitting potholes or curbs can change the shape, pushing the alignment out of place. Additionally, joint components and rubber bushings deteriorate making them ineffective.

How can you tell the difference between tire noise and wheel bearing noise?

Squealing Or Grinding Noise To confirm it, change the speed of the vehicle. If the noise becomes worse the faster you drive, then it’s almost certainly a bad wheel bearing. If the noise remains the same, then the issue may be the tires instead.