You may find that the car wanders on the road, your tires may wear unevenly, the friction heat from the failed bearing could damage other parts of the car, and the wheel could actually separate from your car.

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In automotive applications, the wheel bearings are usually sealed units that connect the wheel to the suspension of the vehicle. Your wheel studs will typically be part of the bearing and if it is a drive wheel, there can be a hollow in the middle of the bearing where a spindle is inserted from the axle shaft.

Since the wheel bearing is the sole point of contact between the car and the wheel, it’s very important that it is functioning properly. A bad bearing will be noisy, could lead to heat damage of other components, and could seize up or cause the wheel to break off the car, leaving the driver stranded.

Timing beltvstiming chainpros and cons

Advice, how-to guides, and car care information featured on AutoZone.com and AutoZone Advice & How-To’s are presented as helpful resources for general maintenance and automotive repairs from a general perspective only and should be used at your own risk. Information is accurate and true to the best of AutoZone’s knowledge, however, there may be omissions, errors or mistakes.

Changing a timing belt can be expensive because it's labor-intensive. It requires taking apart some of the engines. On the other hand, a timing chain replacement is often cheaper, partly because it doesn't need to be changed as frequently.

Toyotatiming belt or chain

Be sure to consult your owner’s manual, a repair guide, an AutoZoner at a store near you, or a licensed, professional mechanic for vehicle-specific repair information. Refer to the service manual for specific diagnostic, repair and tool information for your particular vehicle. Always chock your wheels prior to lifting a vehicle. Always disconnect the negative battery cable before servicing an electrical application on the vehicle to protect its electrical circuits in the event that a wire is accidentally pierced or grounded. Use caution when working with automotive batteries. Sulfuric acid is caustic and can burn clothing and skin or cause blindness. Always wear gloves and safety glasses and other personal protection equipment, and work in a well-ventilated area. Should electrolyte get on your body or clothing, neutralize it immediately with a solution of baking soda and water. Do not wear ties or loose clothing when working on your vehicle.

Wheel bearings have come a long way since the days when you had to repack them every several thousand miles, but they still do fail on occasion. Keep reading to learn how to identify a bad wheel bearing by the sounds it makes and what to do to avoid a wheel bearing to go bad.

Start by listening for clicking, humming, or growling noises and feel for vibrations through the steering wheel. If you can pinpoint where the noises are coming from, the next step is to remove the wheel and do a physical inspection.

Your wheel bearings impact efficiency and keep the wheels attached to your car, so it’s important to use the best possible parts to complete any repair. Replacing your own wheel bearings can be an afternoon or evening job, depending on the make and model of your vehicle, so do a bit of research and don’t be afraid to tackle this important repair yourself.

Timing beltvstiming chaincost

Snow tires and chains are both designed to keep your vehicle safe on the road. Discover the differences and what would work best for you.

Timing chainreplacement cost

A timing belt is usually made of rubber, sort of like a thick rubber band. On the other hand, a timing chain is more like a metal necklace made up of interlocking links. While a timing belt might be quieter, a timing chain is more robust and durable.

Both timing belts and timing chains have essential jobs in a car's engine. Timing belts are like reliable workers but need more attention and replacement. On the other hand, timing chains are tough and long lasting, but they might make a bit more noise. When choosing between the two, it often depends on the car's design and your driving habits. So, next time you're driving, you'll know more about what's happening under the hood!

We also know that sometimes you just don’t have the time to do the job yourself, so allow us to help you find a qualified professional mechanic through our Shop Referral Program.

The first caged bearings for axles were patented in the late 1700s, and the design that has carried forward to modern times is basically a set of steel balls or rollers that are housed within a ring-shaped housing called a race. Most ball bearings will have an inner race, which is grooved and holds the balls on the inside, and a grooved outer race on the outer circumference of the bearing. In a roller bearing, the race has slots that allow the rollers to spin against the axle on the inside and the wheel on the outside.

Your safety should always come first. Learn the safest way to use wheel chocks and how to keep your stationary car from rolling.

A timing chain is generally considered better for high-performance engines. It can handle the increased stress and heat that comes with fast driving. However, many regular cars use timing belts, and they work well for everyday driving.

If you catch a wheel bearing right when it starts to fail, you probably will have enough time to get to the shop or your home and do the diagnosis and repair. Be aware that driving at highway speeds will intensify any bearing issues and could lead it to fail faster, so be prudent with your route.

The timing belt or chain is found inside the engine. They connect the crankshaft (which turns the wheels) and the camshaft (which opens and closes the engine's valves). This connection is super important because it helps the engine's parts move at the right time.

Timing chainlifespan

Timing chain or beltchecker

FREE Loan-A-Tool® program requires returnable deposit. Please note that the tool that you receive after placing an online order may be in a used but operable condition due to the nature of the Loan-A-Tool® program.

There are a few things to listen and feel for when attempting to diagnose a bad wheel bearing. Some of the sounds that we associate with bad bearings can also be indicators of problems with other parts of the vehicle, but there are a few tricks to test whether the noise is a bearing issue. Here are a few sounds that can indicate a bad bearing:

Click to learn the signs and symptoms of a bad steering column, how it can affect your steering, and how to repair it with AutoZone.

Timing chainreplacement

Timing chains can be a bit noisier due to the metal parts rubbing against each other. Timing belts, being made of rubber, are usually quieter. Some people prefer a quieter engine, while others don't mind a bit of noise.

Back in the days of horses and carriages, wheels were attached to the carriage by way of a wooden or metal stick axle that was fixed to the carriage, requiring the wheels to rotate on the axle. A major drawback of this setup was that there was a lot of friction between the wheel and the axle, and that friction made it harder to move the carriage, resulting in wasted energy. The other issue was that the friction would cause a lot of wear and tear on the axle and wheel where they joined, so you’d need to do constant maintenance on the joint.

Here's a big difference: timing belts need to be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. They can wear out or even break over time. Timing chains, however, can last much longer, even the car's entire life in many cases. This means less worrying about getting the timing chain replaced.

When you open the hood of a car, you might notice some important parts that help the engine run smoothly. A critical part is the timing belt or timing chain. They play a crucial role in ensuring the engine's moving parts work harmoniously. Let's explore the differences between a timing belt and a timing chain so you can better understand how they work.

When it’s time to shop for a new wheel bearing, AutoZone has all the parts and tools you need to keep your car rolling, and we have locations in every state that you can find by using our Store Locator.

Learn how to rotate your tires with AutoZone, Explore why you need to rotate your tires, how often, and what tools you'll need to get the job done.

Wheel bearings have come a long way since the days when you had to repack them every several thousand miles, but they still do fail on occasion. Keep reading to learn how to identify a bad wheel bearing by the sounds it makes and what to do to avoid a wheel bearing to go bad.

Some of these symptoms can also be a result of bad tires, or even a bad CV joint, but a bad bearing will sound worse when it is put under load, like when the car is turning, so use this method to test and see if it is your bearing that’s causing the noise:

Once you’ve done the road test and have an idea of where the sound is coming from, park your car, jack it up, and remove the tire. Don’t forget to use jack stands! With the tire off, rotate the bearing to see if there is undue resistance or if you can feel or hear clicks, grinding or other sounds coming from the bearing. It should be smooth and quiet. You can also try to wiggle it back and forth and there shouldn’t be any play in the bearing.