NOTE: Whether you DIY or your mechanic replaces the bearing, always install a new axle hub nut. Most hub nuts are prevailing torque fasteners, used on critical components (like securing axle shafts to hub bearings) where a loose nut could lead to disastrous consequences.

But don’t panic.We’ll explore the ins and outs of wheel bearings, including how long you can drive on a bad wheel bearing and the potential implications of ignoring it.

Read on to learn the most common bad wheel bearing symptoms, based on my experience (50 years in the industry) and that of Joe Simes, a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified and Toyota master technician. But first, a little background.

Simply stated, wheel bearings allow cars and trucks to run smoother and more efficiently by reducing friction and supporting vehicle weight. When they start to fail, you can usually tell.

Friction from a failing wheel bearing produces heat. After driving, without touching the tires or wheels, carefully walk around your vehicle and use a non-touch thermometer to measure if one is hotter than the others.

Identifying the failing bearing can save the mechanic some time. Once they know which bearing needs replacing, their expertise and the right tools make it a relatively easy job.

But sealed wheel bearings are non-serviceable and should never be repaired, only replaced. Even if a pro suggests repairing a bearing, don’t let them. Trying to reuse a damaged wheel bearing can result in an accident and severe injury.

Unlike unbalanced tires, shaking caused by a bad wheel bearing should be obvious from the side of the car where the bearing is failing.

These minor issues can become major problems, such as reduced stability and control, if left unchecked. Aside from potential safety hazards, these can also lead to costly repairs.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to your home or office to complete your repair. We make the process easy from start to finish by offering upfront pricing, online booking, after-hours support, and a full warranty.

How long can youdriveon abad wheel bearing

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Howtotell whichwheel bearing is badwhile driving

A bad wheel bearing can cause a tire/wheel to move or glide unevenly or sluggishly. It can also cause your brakes to drag, pulling your vehicle to one side when you try to stop.

On many vehicles, the ABS sensor is built into the wheel bearing, or it’s externally mounted adjacent to the spinning part of the bearing where the sensor measures vehicle speed. Damaged from a wobbly wheel bearing, the sensor will send erratic readings to the vehicle’s computer, illuminating the ABS light.

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Joe Simes is an ASE and Toyota master technician. After 20 years in the industry, Simes recently became a Pennsylvania Department of Education certified automotive technology instructor at North Montco Technical Career Center in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

Wheel bearings are a small but mighty component of your car. While driving for a short distance with a faulty wheel bearing is possible, it’s best to avoid doing so.

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When checking the rear wheel bearing, excessive play, both vertically or horizontally, in the wheel can indicate the rear bearing is failing.

The average cost to replace a sealed wheel hub bearing is $350 per wheel. However, depending on the make and model, shop labor rate, the cost of the bearing itself and any additional damage, the total could exceed $1,000.

Typically, wheel bearings, composed of steel balls housed in a wheel hub assembly, should last between 5 and 10 years or about 100,000 miles.

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Instead, you should book an automotive service with a mobile mechanic like AutoNation Mobile Service. Our expert mechanics can sort out a wheel bearing replacement right from your driveway.

Frontwheel bearingnoise symptoms

Alternatively, try jacking up each wheel. Then, firmly grip the top and bottom of the wheel with two hands and try to move it forward and backward. If it’s tight, your wheel bearing is fine, but excessive play can indicate a bad bearing.

Wheel bearings, often consisting of steel balls, are usually sealed within the hub assembly, meaning the entire assembly would need replacing. Additionally, not all bearings are the same:

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Drivingwith bad wheel bearing

According to Simes, a failing wheel bearing will likely produce a soft, faint vibration that’s felt before it’s heard. There may also be a vague rhythmic humming or droning sound that increases over time and with speed.

There’s no surefire way of determining how far you can drive on a bad wheel bearing since it depends on your driving style, the condition of the road, and many other factors.

The cage and rollers are held together inside a hardened metal ring called a “race.” The seal keeps grease in and damaging water and debris out. Wheel bearings are installed inside, and secured to, the suspension, either by press fit, bolts or a snap-ring. Once mounted, the wheel bearing rides on the axle shaft, allowing the tire/wheel to spin effortlessly.

On modern front- and four-wheel drive cars, wheel bearings are a set of permanently sealed, precisely machined steel ball or straight roller bearings. The balls, or rollers, are encased in a “cage” that supports the bearings, allowing them to rotate freely.

You can service or replace tapered wheel bearings yourself. Never reuse any wheel bearing that’s loose, worn, noisy or shows any signs of wear.

You’ll hear clicking, cracking, grinding, snapping, or whining noises coming from your wheels or tires. They’ll increase when accelerating or turning.

How long will awheel bearinglast afteritstarts making noise

Absolutely not. It’s crucial to get bad wheel bearings diagnosed and replaced ASAP. If not, you could lose a wheel or get in an accident.

What does abad wheel bearingsound like

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Bottom line: It’s crucial to have a damaged wheel bearing replaced as soon as it shows signs of wear.With that, let’s see how much a replacement costs.

A wheel bearing is a set of steel balls (ball bearings) or tapers (tapered bearings) slotted inside a ring. The axle connects to the wheel through the bearing and allows the wheel to rotate smoothly.

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However, they can fail prematurely, leading to uneven wear on your tires and brake pads and potentially unsafe driving conditions. A grinding noise or more looseness in the steering are two common signs your vehicle’s wheel bearing needs to be replaced by a qualified mechanic.

Wheel bearingreplacement cost

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Diagnosing which specific wheel bearing is faulty can be tricky. Fortunately, there are ways to identify a noisy wheel bearing yourself, potentially saving you some diagnostic costs.

Depending on the vehicle, you can save hundreds in labor replacing wheel bearings yourself. Most auto parts stores will lend you the specialty tools and equipment needed to replace a wheel bearing.

This document provides specifications for tapered roller bearings, including bearing dimensions, load ratings, and part numbers.

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Generally, you can pay between $125 and $750 to fix a wheel bearing issue. The cost primarily comes down to the type of bearings your vehicle uses — ball bearing, roller bearing, or taper bearings.