No matter how the bearing is starting to wear, wearing out will reduce the efficiency and create more friction, heat, and roughness while you’re driving.

One of the sources of those problems is often the wheel bearings. Since your wheel bearings deal with a lot of the wear and tear work of wheel rotation, it’s not abnormal for them to eventually wear out and need replacement.

A: Generally, car insurance does not cover wheel bearing repair as it’s considered part of regular maintenance. However, if the damage was caused by an accident, it might be covered under your policy.

That’s because the extra friction from a worn wheel bearing gets transferred through your entire vehicle, especially the wheel assembly and steering system.

The CoPilot app isn’t just for buying a car - our new CoPilot for Owning tool will help you keep track of recalls and gives you advice on which scheduled maintenance tasks are most important.

A: While it’s technically possible, it’s not safe or recommended to drive with a damaged wheel bearing. Doing so can lead to further damage, loss of wheel control, and even accidents.

However, every once in a while, something will go wrong, and you’ll need to take a closer look at your wheels or get your vehicle to a mechanic so they can check it out.

By incorporating these practices into your vehicle care routine, you’re not just maintaining your wheel bearings – you’re investing in your car’s overall health and your peace of mind on the road.

Your wheel bearings or wheel hub will likely need to be replaced every 85,000-100,000 miles if they’re sealed, which prevents maintenance but also helps the bearings last a little longer.

A typical wheel bearing is either a metal sphere or a metal cylinder that can rotate freely to help reduce friction. There are several of them in all of your wheels; anywhere two surfaces would touch while the vehicle is moving. That way, the friction turns the bearing, which both reduces the friction and helps prevent overheating.

Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.

A: The time it takes to repair a wheel bearing can vary based on the complexity of the repair and the type of vehicle. However, it typically takes about 15 to 45 minutes per wheel for an easy job, and as long as 90 to 120 minutes for more complex tasks.

Fortunately, quick repairs or replacements usually help prevent excess damage and make it easier to get back on the road.

If you’re ready to start shopping for a used car and reliability is a priority for you, take a look at our list of the top 10 most reliable used sedans on the market today.

For other wheel hubs and bearings, the replacement schedule is a little more variable and also depends on the kind of driving you do, in addition to how many miles you’ve driven.

Depending on how quickly you’re able to get your wheel bearing replaced, there are two replacement costs you need to know about.

A: While it’s possible to repair a wheel bearing yourself if you have the right tools and knowledge, it’s generally recommended to have this kind of repair done by a professional mechanic to ensure it’s done correctly and safely.

The problem is when you don’t catch wheel bearing problems fast enough, and you don’t need to just replace the bearings; you need to deal with the damage the broken bearings caused as well.

While wheel bearings are built to last, proactive care can significantly extend their lifespan and prevent costly repairs. Regular maintenance isn’t just about saving money; it’s about ensuring your safety on the road. Here are some key practices to keep your wheel bearings in top shape:

A: Common signs include a humming or rumbling noise that increases with speed, a loose or vibrating steering wheel, uneven tire wear, and the ABS light turning on.

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

Uneven tire wear is often a sign that you need to get a wheel alignment, and since alignments need to happen more often than a wheel bearing replacement, you’ll normally be able to fix the problem with an alignment.

Reducing the friction when you’re driving makes it a lot easier for you to move and steer, so one of the first signs that your wheel bearings are starting to go out is if you’re starting to have more problems steering.

If you catch that your wheel bearing is starting to have trouble quickly, you might just be able to replace one or two of the bearings without needing to fix anything else inside your wheel hub.

Wheel bearings are one of the parts of your vehicle that a lot of people don’t think about much, partially because it’s common for people not to know that your bearings are part of a brake service.

When bearings wear out, it’s usually because they’ve changed shape slightly and are no longer efficient or because their surface has gone brittle and is starting to break apart.

Here’s what you need to know about what wheel bearings are, how much repairs cost, and the signs and symptoms that it might be time to get your wheels checked.

Unexpected noises are always concerning when it comes to your vehicle, but loud noises from your wheels usually mean that something is going on either in the wheel hub or brake system.

A single wheel bearing replacement should cost somewhere between $200-$400, depending on your location and the kind of bearings your vehicle uses.

All the wheels on your vehicle have bearings, and that’s important for helping reduce the friction between moving parts and to help keep your ride smoother and quieter.

Noticing wheel bearing issues quickly is incredibly important, but a lot of people brush off the most common symptoms of bad wheel bearings.

Now, this symptom is tricky because worn roads can also create more vibration, as can other problems that create friction or instability through your vehicle.

The answer to this question isn’t as  simple as you’d expect. Let’s look explore the difference between gas and diesel engines and explore just how many spark plugs a diesel engine actually has.

Screeching or rasping noises are two of the most common, but a loud rumble or grumbling sound can also be a sign that your wheel bearings are starting to do.

Most people recommend that your bearings should be checked every time your brakes are serviced, and that can include things like realigning the bearings to help prevent uneven wear, checking lubrication, and looking for early signs that the bearings are starting to wear out.

Vibration in your steering wheel is another symptom that can point to a variety of problems, but one of the more common ones is wheel bearing wear.

However, if you also need to replace the wheel hub, which houses the bearings, it will typically cost between $200-$500 depending on the hub and wheel type.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

Most people know all about tire replacement, at least if they’re car drivers, but a lot of people don’t know much else about how the inside of your vehicle’s wheel works. That’s okay; the majority of the time, you don’t need to know how your wheels are working; you just need to make sure they are.

So, it’s important to make sure you replace your wheel bearings as soon as possible after you notice a problem because otherwise, you’ll likely have a much more expensive repair when you get your vehicle to the shop.

Unfortunately, like all bearings, wheel bearings can wear out and occasionally need to be replaced. In fact, replacing them is especially important because a worn bearing can create more friction than your wheels can handle, resulting in damage and even more instability the longer you wait to fix the problem.

However, uneven tire wear can also be a sign that your wheel bearings are going out, especially if the wear seems to only affect one tire.