S0, while thinking how long can you drive on a bad bearing? You should not go more than 1000 miles as it might result in some bigger issues.

What does abad wheel bearingsound like

Besides, there might be chances that the damaged bearing is on the left. So, follow the same procedure to drive a few miles extra with it.

The bad wheel bearing is the worst and needs to be replaced immediately. But, what if you are in the middle of a deserted place where you can do nothing but drive ahead? Well, in this situation you can hear some faint echoing or humming sound from the right back. At first glance, it might seem like the tire has gone out of balance. Later or sooner the increasing noise would clear that it’s a bad wheel bearing. There is no lubrication on the worn wheel to keep it unruffled.

How longcan you driveon abad wheel bearing

In the worst case scenario, the wheel might completely turn around which can result in serious injuries to the traffic around.

Once you’ve performed this basic wheel bearing test, you should have a better idea of where the problem is. Then, it’s a case of diagnosing the front or rear wheel on the side in question.

It doesn’t matter which car you have, the bad wheel bearing is what you can face anytime and anywhere. Hence, it becomes vital to know how long can you drive on a bad bearing.

Drivingwith bad wheel bearing

Well, one can never predict the bad wheel bearing by the noise as a chopped tire could be the reason behind it. The sound of the chopped tire can also increase with increasing speed. So, you have to be careful while diagnosing the actual problem. However, you can use the maintenance tips to deal with the bad wheel bear as well.

As a result, the increase in speed would develop too much heat as well. The heat would crash the wheel completely. To avoid this situation, it is recommended to drive at a slower speed so that your wheel stays in action for a few more hours.

Signs ofbad wheel bearingreddit

Suspect that your car is suffering from a faulty wheel bearing? Our guide can help you check and diagnose the problem, and decide if and when it’s still safe to drive.

A loud noise from your wheel is one of the most common symptoms of a bad bearing. Normally, when the lubrication in the bearings is degraded, it will cause the balls to be friction and the bearings to be broken. This noise will be louder when turning your steering wheel or driving at high speed. Which causes the wheel to move and will make an annoying noise and gradually damage the wheel shaft. But the concern of many drivers is how long wheel bearings last when making noise. Normally, the average lifespan of your wheel bearing will be around 150000 miles. However, if you notice the noise emitting (like humming or grinding) from the wheel, it can be a sign to tell that your wheel bearing only just lasts for a few thousand miles (about 1000 miles). In emergency situations, you can still drive with a noisy bearing, however, it’s recommended to have your car get fixed as soon as possible by a trusted mechanic.

Typically, wheel bearings have a lifespan of around 85,000 to 100,000 miles, so if your car is approaching these kinds of figures, it’s important to keep an eye on the tell-tale signs of a bearing in decline.

You can drive at the speed of 40mph by staying side by side slowly and steadily. Now, try to shift the vehicle’s weight from one side to another. As discussed earlier, do not drive harshly or fast to avoid the car spinning out. Check if the noise is getting softer or louder. If the noise has reduced keep on driving until you find the garage or mechanic shop.

Wheel bearingreplacement cost

If you suspect you have a wheel bearing fault but aren’t sure which side of the vehicle is affected, there’s a safe and simple test you can use to check. Our step-by-step guide below can take you through how it’s done…

How long will awheel bearinglast after it starts making noise

As you’ll know from our car maintenance glossary, bearings allow the wheels to turn freely without generating huge amounts of heat. If a bearing were to fail, the wheel can seize up altogether, resulting in catastrophic damage and the potential for a serious incident. Indeed, in the very worst-case scenario, a failed bearing can cause the wheel to rip away from the car entirely.

The cost of a wheel bearing replacement in the UK is roughly £150-£300, dependent on the make and model of your car and a mechanic’s labour costs. The good news is that you don’t need to replace all wheel bearings at once if the other three remain in a safe and serviceable condition.

If you’re aware that there’s an issue with your car’s wheel bearing, it’s best to take it straight to a mechanic for a full diagnosis and repair. Often, it may just be a case of relubricating the ball bearings within the assembly before repacking them, which is significantly simpler to put right than the alternative.

You can still drive with a bad wheel bearing, but we wouldn’t recommend it for long distances. Keep your mileage to a minimum and look out for worsening symptoms of a wheel bearing fault; we cover the symptoms to check for later in this guide.

Need to recap the signs of a failing wheel bearing? Here are the symptoms to watch out for while you’re driving, particularly when turning corners:

Confident in car maintenance DIY? Lubricate and service your car’s wheel bearings with Holts Multi-Purpose Lithium Grease. Trusted by professionals, it reduces friction and wear in all moving parts, even those that work under extreme pressure. For more top tips and advice, read the Holts blog or visit our help and advice centre.

Frontwheel bearingnoise symptoms

Temporary fix forbad wheel bearing

A bad wheel bearing is a nightmare for every driver. To deal with it there are a few things that you should know especially when going on a long road trip.

When the car is elevated and in place, take hold of each wheel in turn and wiggle it backwards and forwards, side to side. If there is any play in the wheel, it feels wobbly or loose, or an unusual noise accompanies some minor movement, then you’ve found the problem wheel.

Continuing to drive on a bad wheel bearing can lead to extensive and critical damage which will be significantly more expensive to repair than a simple bearing re-grease and service. And in the worst cases, the damage from a faulty bearing that goes untreated can prove impossible to fix, particularly if it contributes to corrosion of surrounding components and the axle.

Replacing all of your car’s wheel bearings might cost an eye-watering sum, but it’s guaranteed to be a lot cheaper than repairing the damage should a bearing fail.

Given the damage that can occur as a result of a failed wheel bearing, not to mention the dangers, this further reinforces the importance of getting those bearings checked and repaired the moment you realise there’s a problem.

To do that, you’ll first need to jack up your car so that both wheels are off the ground. We would strongly recommend using service ramps for this to ensure you can carry out the following checks safely.

Bad wheel bearings can cause a number of potentially dangerous situations, starting with your vehicle not responding as quickly as it should. Your tires will also wear faster and you may experience uneven tire wear. Last, but not least, your wheel may fall off completely while driving, as car wheel bearings are essential to keeping the wheels attached to your vehicle. So the question “Can you drive with a bad wheel bearing?” Our answer is you can drive with the worn wheel but we don’t recommend doing this. In fact, it is very dangerous to drive if one of your bearings wears out, especially since it can cause the wheels to stop while driving. In addition, a damaged wheel bearing puts a lot of stress on the shaft, the coupling, and the transmission itself. In this situation, you should take this chance to reach the nearest repair store.