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These anti-friction wheel bearings come in the form of ball, roller, and tapered roller bearings. And while each of them has distinctive features, they all perform the similar task of converting sliding friction into a rolling motion.

Lastly, fatigue or spalling can lead to fractured bearing surfaces and cause the bearing material to break off after some time.

Roller bearings have rollers between the inner and outer races to reduce friction. Compared to a ball bearing, this type has a longer contact area to support heavier loads.

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Some vehicles also have needle bearings, which is a type of roller bearing that uses smaller needle rollers. This type is not adjustable because the clearance between the diameter of the straight roller is manufactured into the bearing itself.

3 types of universal joint

A damaged or worn-out wheel bearing can cause the brake rotor to wobble on its axis, which can push the caliper piston into its bore.

A1: Signs of a damaged u-joint include clunking, squeaking, and unusual vibrations. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should consider u-joint failure as a potential cause. Damaged u-joints should be inspected and replaced immediately to avoid potential damage to other components.

The tapered roller bearing is the most common type used in vehicles. It is designed to support both radial and axial loads.

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We offer OE U-joints as well as the Dana Spicer Life Plus model for extreme performance. Check your vehicle manual to see which U-joint series (1310, 1350, etc.) you need. For custom drivelines, you will need to measure the cap diameter as well as the distance between the outside of opposite end caps. Contact us if you need assistance.

Wheel bearings are a crucial component because they let the wheels rotate while supporting the weight of the entire vehicle. When they become faulty, your vehicle’s wheel hubs are going to create noises and vibrations while you’re driving, which can be unnerving. They can fail catastrophically and cause your wheel to seize, which can result in a crash. Replace your faulty wheel bearings immediately with new ones from CarParts.com.

If you suspect a U-joint is going bad, you should replace it as soon as possible; since they link to so many other parts, faulty U-joints will quickly damage the rest of the drivetrain. Signs of U-joint trouble include squeaking/clicking at low speeds, vibrations at high speeds and clunking noises when you rapidly speed up or slow down.

Universal joint shaft

CarParts.com offers a wide variety of wheel bearings from the top manufacturers at different price points. You can purchase wheel bearings individually, in sets of two, or sets of four, depending on your needs. Our parts are shipped from strategically located warehouses, so you won’t have to wait a long time for your part to arrive.

A3: U-joints join rotational components together to allow them to move up and down with the vehicle's suspension while moving. The flexible connection that the U-joint has accommodates the changes in angle of the driveline as the vehicle travels over different terrain. U-joints connect drive shafts to transmission, transfer cases, differentials and connects two-piece front axles.

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Although there is less friction when using ball bearings, they’re not made to support the same weight as roller bearings.

Once this happens, you’ll notice that the brake pedal feels low or spongy because the piston is traveling farther than normal to apply braking power.

Revolution Gear & Axle has the correct parts for U-joint replacement and custom builds. We carry genuine Dana Spicer universal joints. They are made of premium steel that will perform as well as or better than the original equipment. Known for being durable, Dana Spicer non-greaseable U-joints are pre-lubricated, so you don’t need to do any maintenance — just swap them out, secure them using the snap rings and go. They’re backed by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

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William “Bill” Guzenski has produced hundreds of how-to videos for the automotive community. He’s an ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician, and is affiliated with the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). He loves attending race events and car shows throughout the country, as well as traveling in his 40-foot motorhome, exploring abandoned mines and ghost towns.

Wheel bearings are generally designed to last the lifespan of your vehicle. However, driving conditions, habits, and other factors can cause them to fail like any other car part.

Universal joint axle fastener — or U-joint for short —are used to connect driveshafts, transfer cases, transmissions, differentials and multi-piece axles. The U-joint lets each component spin and move with the suspension for the best performance.

In some cases, you might even need to replace the entire hub because you won’t be able to get to the damaged bearing without disassembling the entire unit.

Universal joint examples

Because both the bearing and rollers are tapered for this type, it can accommodate more weight. Unlike other types, the load on the tapered roller bearing is directed over the entire length of each roller instead of concentrating on a small spot.

Ball bearings reduce friction by using hardened steel balls between the inner and outer races. This type of wheel bearing is designed to operate at high speeds and control an axle shaft’s thrust movement.

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Universal Joint Catalogue

Replace your vehicle’s faulty wheel bearings before they fail. Check out our selection of wheel bearings and shop at CarParts.com today!

Wheel bearings let the wheels rotate while supporting the entire vehicle. These bearings come with rolling parts inside them that help reduce friction.

The cost would be the same as a replacement, as there’s no other way to fix a damaged wheel bearing than to replace it with a new one.

Driving with a bad wheel bearing is never a good idea. Aside from compromising your safety, you also risk damaging other parts of your vehicle, which can lead to costly repairs down the road. In extreme cases, driving with a bad wheel bearing can even cause one of your wheels to fall off while driving.

Rollers on this type of bearing are secured in a cage between the inner and outer races. The tapered roller bearing is expected to move around the cage freely to allow heat expansion.