Joseph has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

The typical sounds of worn-out wheel bearings are squealing and/or growling. The sound intensifies as vehicle speed increases. Try to pinpoint the location of the noise because it will identify the location of the worn-out bearings.

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Common signs include noise (grinding, humming), vibration, uneven tire wear, and ABS failure. Q: How often should wheel bearings be inspected?

That's why it's important to watch out for bad wheel hub symptoms. We put together a comprehensive list of telltale signs of a worn wheel hub bearing. Read on ...

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Because they support the road wheels, wheel bearing noise depends on speed. If you notice a noise that stays the same volume and pitch when doing 30mph or 70mph, it’s probably not a wheel bearing.

If you hear a clicking sound that increases in frequency as the vehicle accelerates, there could be a problem with the wheel hub assembly.

Hardesty cautions that if you think something is wrong, don’t wait to get it diagnosed: “The longer you wait, the more it will cost as other components may be damaged by a wheel bearing.”

Whilst wheel bearings can take a while to get to the replacement point, it’s still important to have the bearing checked as soon as you notice a new noise or feel any symptoms. Hopefully, this guide has introduced you to wheel bearing replacement costs and answered some questions you may have had. When in doubt, consult a professional mechanic or work with a garage to achieve a safe solution.

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Wheel bearings are considered a standard wear and tear item on a car. Depending on the number of miles you drive and how long you keep a car, you should expect to have to replace them at some point.

Not only can this cause a wayward steering feel, but it can also wear out your front tyres faster. If your car feels like this when steering and shows other signs of a worn bearing, get it checked as soon as possible.

If you hear an unfamiliar noise when drifting to the left, there may be a problem with your right wheel bearing. If the noise occurs when you drift right, the left wheel bearing may be faulty.

So, if you’re wondering if wheel bearings are expensive, the price ultimately comes down to which specific parts your car needs.

Now you’ve figured out roughly where the offending bearing is, it should be pretty easy to determine which side is at fault:

Technicians can check for wheel wobble by putting the vehicle on a lift and manually checking for wheel movement. Typically, it would be impossible to shake the wheel and tire. However, if it moves, the hub assembly needs immediate attention. The tire and wheel can literally come off the vehicle at any time, at any speed, if you don’t repair your vehicle.

However, luxury cars are more expensive to repair. Do note that if bearings go bad at one wheel, replacing the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle is unnecessary. 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.

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The wheel hub - the part that the wheel bolts to - is held in place by the hub-nut, which prevents the wheel and hub from coming off the axle.

Driving with bad wheel bearings impacts the safety of a vehicle, and it could cause a serious car accident. We do not advise driving on them when they fail and recommend getting them checked out as soon as possible. Bad wheel bearings can damage things like your hub, the vehicle’s constant velocity joint (CV joint), or the automatic transmission.

Bearings are absolutely everywhere in machinery and vehicles. Anything with moving parts will always have a bearing of some kind. Car wheels require strong and precise bearings to cope with the large forces of bumps and turns.

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The cost to replace one front-wheel hub assembly varies widely. Among the variables are the vehicle brand and model, the garage’s labor rate, and the cost of parts. The average out-the-door wheel bearing replacement cost without taxes is about $350 per wheel.

Like many components on a car, wheel bearings almost always give plenty of warning, audible and otherwise, that they’re starting to fail. Also, like other parts, the consequences of allowing one to fail can be severe.

However, life expectancy depends on how often you drive and the condition of the roads you drive on. This may mean wheel bearings need replacing sooner or later, but they won’t need replacing regularly.

Because a bearing's job is to reduce friction, when they’re not working as they should, more friction and therefore heat is generated. This can often be felt on the wheel after a long drive.

The original equipment bearings on your vehicle are engineered for specific loads. Those bigger and wider tires look cool, as do tires with lower tread walls. But they place higher loads on the wheel bearings, possibly resulting in accelerated wear. That could present a safety issue if your wheel bearings fail.

If one tire wears out faster than the others, it could be a sign that the wheel bearings are worn. However, it also could be a sign the tire is improperly inflated (too much air pressure or not enough), the tires are improperly aligned, or the vehicle has damaged or worn suspension components.

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Not sure what to look at, or hear for when they might need replacing? Worried about the cost of wheel bearings? Or simply want to understand a bit more about how wheel bearings work?

Wheel bearings are a small yet mighty part of your car vital to movement and safety. If they’re not functioning properly, you must replace them immediately.

You can estimate your wheel bearing cost depending on the type you buy. Here’s a quick overview of the different price brackets:

An example and the applicable options for SKF deep groove ball bearings are given below. Example. W 619/6 X-2RS1, where, W = 619/6 =.

“The good news is most of the time, a vehicle will let you know way before a failure ever happens,” said Gary Hardesty, Kelley Blue Book’s in-house service and maintenance expert and an A.S.E. certified master technician. “The key is to listen to your car. Most times, a failing wheel bearing will exhibit a growling type of noise that changes with vehicle speed. The faster the car (goes), the faster the frequency of the growl.”

Bad wheel bearings can cause the steering wheel to vibrate. The intensity increases as the vehicle speed increases and the vehicle turns to the left or right. However, the vibration could be linked to an out-of-round tire (there could be a flat spot on the tire) or a tire that is no longer balanced. Another cause is damaged or worn suspension components.

Obviously, this is an extremely dangerous situation. It can cause a complete loss of control and a high chance of injury.

As bearings wear, they create more noise. The noise from a wheel bearing will be a constant droning or scraping noise and is the best way to tell if there is a problem.

If it's too difficult to tell, especially with how well sound-insulated modern cars are, a passenger can try listening to the noise from the front and then rear seats.

Typically it is cheaper to replace a bearing on a non-driven axle, as there are fewer components to remove, with most cars being front-wheel drive (except for many BMW and Mercedes cars) this means the rear bearings are cheaper.

While a mechanic will be best placed to properly diagnose your wheel bearing issues, there are some symptoms to look out for. Here are four signs drivers need to know:

A wheel bearing, at its core, is a compact yet critical component that facilitates the smooth rotation of the wheel hub assembly.

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The traditional construction of a bearing is two rings, called races, and small balls. When assembled the balls transmit the load between the inner and outer races whilst allowing rotation and retaining their position laterally (side to side).

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This can start to happen because the wheel bearing ensures the wheels are rotating in a single plane and not moving side to side when the bearing wears out.

Another determining factor is when the noise is present; if, when braking, the noise gets louder, this usually means that one of the front bearings is worn out. This is because the action of the weight of the car shifts more to the front wheels when decelerating.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated for accuracy since it was originally published. Rick Kranz contributed to this report.

Worn bearings may cause a vehicle to pull to the left or right when brakes are applied. The direction the vehicle pulls signals where the worn bearings are located, on the left or right side of the vehicle. However, this can also signal brake rotor or brake caliper problems.

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Wheel bearing replacement is a common issue, so the parts are relatively cheap, and any competent garage well understands the process. Typical parts prices range from £30 to £250, but then you have to include the labour costs as well.

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Most vehicles today use sealed hub bearing assemblies that contain roller bearings. While we don’t address these, older cars used tapered roller bearings, which required servicing and preload adjusting to ensure the right amount of end play or axial clearance.

In this story, we’ll tell you quick facts to know, such as what causes a bad wheel bearing, how long you can drive on one, and the estimated replacement cost of a wheel bearing as you maintain your vehicle.

The bearings are tightly packed in a grease-filled, waterproof, sealed metal ring. This housing, called a race, is located inside the hub, and each wheel has one. Wheel bearings have a Herculean responsibility: They are engineered to support the vehicle’s entire weight.

Be careful when touching any part of the wheels as they can become very hot depending on the severity of the bearing issue and if you have been braking hard. But if one wheel is slightly warmer, this could indicate a bearing problem.

Your vehicle will signal that it’s time to replace a failed wheel bearing. For example, if you hear unusual sounds like humming or clicking, then your bearing might be bad. Watch out and listen for these signs and symptoms:

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If you can hear a new noise, particularly a droning that increases in volume and frequency with speed, there's a good chance you have a failing wheel bearing.

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However, determining which one is at fault takes a little more investigation. See below for instructions on how to examine wheel bearing problems.

If there is excessive play in the steering, meaning the steering seems less responsive or less precise than normal, worn bearings could be causing the problem. Also, this could be a sign the vehicle needs a wheel alignment. If you have any of the signs listed above, visit a dealer service or auto repair shop.

When doing an MOT, the tester will lift your car and firmly pull on the wheels in various directions. Excess movement in the wheel, when pulled from the top or bottom, is usually a symptom of a failing wheel bearing.

Wheel bearings are theoretically engineered to last the life of the vehicle. There is no maintenance schedule for replacing wheel bearings, and there is no constant source of lubrication. However, they can be damaged, leading to failure.

Wheel bearings connect a car’s wheels to the axles. They allow wheels to turn with minimal friction. Though wheel bearings are low-maintenance parts, they are important safety components of a vehicle’s braking, steering, and suspension systems. The one-piece hub assembly, between the drive axle and the brake disc or drums, incorporates the hub, wheel bearings, ABS (anti-lock braking system) wheel speed sensor, and mounting flange.

Imagine driving on the freeway when the left front tire and wheel suddenly break off, sending your out-of-control vehicle skidding across several lanes of 65 mph traffic. This is not an exaggeration. This is reality, and can happen if you fail to notice the signs the wheel bearings are deteriorating and need immediate repairs. Your wheel bearing might be bad if you hear unusual sounds like humming, squeaking, or clicking. Some experts say a bad wheel bearing can sound like a bird chirping. Also, if your car wobbles or pulls to one side, you will want to get it checked.

The anti-lock warning light may illuminate if the ring, tire, and wheel wobble, the wheel’s speed sensor is no longer operating properly, and the ABS may operate sporadically or not at all. See a professional for repair.

When a bearing completely fails, the hub nut can no longer stop the outer bearing race, hub and wheel from sliding off the axle. In short, the wheel can literally fall off the car.

The most easily identifiable and common symptom of bad wheel bearings is audible. But it can be confusing. For example, the source of a humming noise can be linked to other issues, such as tires and the CV joint.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Modern wheel bearings are often made into modular units that bolt on and off the car for easy maintenance. Older cars, and some new ones, require powerful hydraulic presses to force out the old bearings and ‘press in’ the new ones.