If you can hear it, the noise is likely to be a grating, grinding or rumbling which changes with the road speed and doesn’t change when you blip the throttle or dip the clutch.

Wheel noisewhen driving

Please contact the dealer for a personalised quote, including terms and conditions. Quote is subject to dealer requirements, including status and availability. Illustrations are based on personal contract hire, 9 month upfront fee, 48 month term, 8000 miles annually, inc VAT, excluding fees. Vehicle returned at term end.

However you refer to these bearings in the axial bearing vs thrust bearing debate, it is important to use the correct type of miniature thrust bearing based on the direction of the thrust load. Some have a raceway or groove on each washer. In these instances, one washer has a slightly larger inside diameter so that it is located in the housing and the shaft can rotate inside it. These bearings can accommodate thrust loads in one direction only and must be installed according to the load direction.

The metal inside the bearing can wear down and start to fail, usually making a noise when it does so. This is often accelerated when dirt, grit or sand gets into the bearing if the seal is compromised, or if the grease inside comes out for the same reason.

Wheelbearing replacement cost

You may also notice a clicking noise and perhaps a vibration through the steering wheel, caused because the worn bearing allows the wheel to wobble. If you are at this stage, it’s really time to get it fixed as it will affect the handling of the car.

For low axial load applications, some radial bearings can be used. Thin-section deep groove ball bearings can support axial loads of between 10 and 30 per cent of the bearing's static radial load rating. Note — these figures are based on pure axial load. Additional radial loads or moment (misalignment loads) will have an impact on the axial load capacity.

If you are struggling to find the right part – for example with a classic or specialist car – it will be worth checking a directory to see if there is a bearing supplier near to you. These businesses will usually have a counter where an expert will be able to identify a part by sight – and they’ll be cheap too.

Wheel NoiseGame

It’s also worth comparing the prices of a wheel bearing kit and a complete hub assembly. It might be that the time and effort needed to remove and replace the bearings alone means it will make more sense to swap the whole hub - especially if you are paying for a mechanic’s labour time.

Wheelbearingnoise

However you fix them, it’s essential to get your bearings repaired if they are noisy or worn. If you just turn up the radio and ignore the rumbling they will damage and wear other, more expensive components, burn more fuel, and could even be a safety issue.

To do a DIY diagnosis, you’ll need to jack the car up and spin the wheels individually to see which one is noisy. It’s also worth rocking the wheel from side to side and up and down to check for clonks and movement.

Frontwheelbearingnoisesymptoms

Auto Express "Find a Car" is managed by Carwow Ltd. Auto Express "Find a Car" is a trading style of Carwow Studio Limited, which is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Carwow Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking and insurance distribution activities (Firm Reference Number 767155). Carwow Ltd is a credit broker and not a lender. Carwow Ltd may receive a fee from retailers advertising finance and may receive a commission from partners (including dealers) for introducing customers. All finance offers and monthly payments shown are subject to application and status. If you’re unhappy with Auto Express or Carwow’s service, you may be able to contact the Financial Ombudsman (please see www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk for more information). Carwow Ltd (company no. 7103079) and Carwow Studio Ltd (company no. 13018565) are limited companies registered in England with their registered offices at Verde Building, 10 Bressenden Place, Victoria, London, SW1E 5DH.

The price of parts will depend on all sorts of factors, but you might be pleasantly surprised as the same bearings might be used across many different cars. Online suppliers are likely to be cheaper than a dealer or motor factor, but make sure they’re reputable as fake branded car components are worryingly common. Also make sure you are ordering the right part – there can be a bewildering array of bearings, with differences existing even across the same model and production year of car.

Different applications put different load requirements on the bearings. For high axial load applications, heavy duty bearing types such as 6200 or 6300 series may take axial loads of up to 50 per cent of the static radial load rating. In cases where large axial and radial loads occur simultaneously, angular contact bearings may be required.

When choosing a thrust bearing, it’s important to seek the right advice, as these bearings can be very unforgiving when axial forces are in play.

Wheel noiseTruck Simulator

Regardless of the loading type required, all bearings have their limits. When determining which bearing to choose, it is important to consider several factors; load direction, load size, turning speed of the application. It is also crucial to ensure the bearings are manufactured to high quality standards, which enables the highest levels of rollability even with heavier axial forces.

There’s no need to worry if you think you have a worn wheel bearing, as these parts are not expensive to buy nor will it take an experienced mechanic much time to get one changed. Our guide explains everything you need to know about wheel bearings and what to do if they are faulty.

Copyright Carwow Studio Limited 2024. All rights reserved. Auto Express™ is a registered trade mark. Carwow Studio Limited is part of the Carwow Group.

Right in the middle of your car’s wheel is what’s called the hub. It’s what the wheel itself attaches onto with your wheel nuts (or bolts) and it turns as the wheel does. Inside the hub is a wheel bearing, which is what allows the wheel to be both attached to the car and to rotate at the same time. It’s a small assembly of metal parts that slide along easily, helped with grease.

If you want to attempt a fix on a noisy wheel bearing yourself, check a workshop manual or online guide for instructions. You may find you can just pack the existing bearing with grease and tighten it up, especially on older cars. If you need to replace parts, think carefully before you attempt it yourself as you’ll need some pretty serious tools to undo seized nuts and press out the bearing.

The terms axial ball bearing or thrust ball bearing can be used interchangeably. Sometimes, they are even combined together, referred to as ‘axial thrust bearings’. This group of bearings has been designed to endure an axial load, also known as a thrust load, which is a force in the same direction as the shaft. The axial bearings should not be subjected to any radial load as they are designed for thrust loads only.

If you’re driving along and notice a rumbling or grinding noise coming from one of the corners of the car or your steering feels more wobbly than normal, it’s possible you have a faulty or worn wheel bearing. If your tyres are wearing unevenly then this could also be a warning sign, although this is also associated with other more common issues such as under/over inflated tyres or incorrect wheel alignment.

Wheel noisewhen accelerating

Think office chairs, lazy Susan turntables or bar stools, to name just a few axial load applications. While this group of bearings are unable to handle radial loads — they can be used in conjunction with radial ball bearings if required. A radial ball bearing’s rolling elements are designed to support radial loads, which is a load that is perpendicular to the shaft.

Since the noise from a worn bearing won’t suddenly arise, it might be hard to tell - but if someone else rides in your car they might notice the noise straight away because they haven’t gotten used to it yet. Either way you will usually be made aware of the issue at MOT time or when getting your car serviced by a mechanic.

Wheel noisewhen turning

If you would like more help on different types of loading, contact bearing supplier SMB Bearings. We have years of experience supplying small and miniature bearings to a range of industries. Call our experts today on +44 (0) 1993 842 555 or e-mail sales@smbbearings.com.

The more straight-forward type of miniature thrust bearing has identical washers and no raceway. These can accept endure axial loads in either direction but have reduced load and speed ratings compared with single-direction axial bearings.

Our marketing claims explained. Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP.

Our determination to remain specialised gives us a high level of product knowledge, providing bearing and lubrication solutions to existing or potential customers, whether individuals or large corporations. We don’t just sell bearings, we help to solve your problems. - Chris Johnson, managing director of SMB Bearings.

Hardened metal is used to make wheel bearings and they are very strong - easily able to handle the car’s corner weight. They last a long time, but on older cars or ones with high mileage, they are still something that is susceptible to wear, just like brakes or a clutch.