Eric Riddles is an ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician who has been working as an auto mechanic since 1998 and originally joined the team at Custom Complete Automotive in 2005. Eric has numerous certifications in various aspects of car repair and spent 10 years training the next generation of auto technicians at a local high school Auto Shop classroom.

Badwheel bearing symptoms

Worn wheel bearings shouldn't be ignored. The cost of a wheel bearing replacement in front or at the back is a small price to pay for reducing the safety hazards that come with this component wearing out.

As wheel bearings wear out, you may experience vibrations through either the steering wheel or the entire vehicle. These vibrations can make your driving experience uncomfortable and may worsen with speed.

Tapered roller bearings are serviceable, which means they can be removed, cleaned, and repacked with grease to prolong their life. Aside from lasting longer, serviceable bearings are cheaper to replace. However, over a lifetime of service, it may add up to maintenance services/costs. Unfortunately, the majority of vehicle manufacturers do not offer serviceable bearings anymore. Years ago, the Ford F-150 and Toyota Land Cruiser used this style of bearing. The biggest drawback of tapered roller bearings is improper maintenance. Overloaded or improperly pre-loaded bearings wear prematurely. Improper grease packing is another issue when it comes to maintenance.

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Wheel bearingnoise when driving

If you notice growling or clunking noises, vibrations, abnormal tire wear, or excessive steering wheel play, your car may have one or more worn wheel bearings. Wheel bearings are what make our wheels go round, literally. Despite their simple design and purpose, wheel bearing replacements can be costly. The type of wheel bearing used is entirely dependent on the manufacturer, and you may pay more for a repair on a luxury vehicle. When it comes to replacing bearings, you can do this repair yourself on certain vehicles, while for others, you may need to recruit the help of the pros. In this article, we are going to cover what a wheel bearing is, how it works, the different design types, symptoms of a worn wheel bearing, how to check your car for a worn bearing, and how much it costs to replace a wheel bearing.

We highly recommend you avoid driving with a worn wheel bearing. Wheel bearings can become so worn that the hub can fall out of the bearing, causing the wheel to detach from the vehicle. This is a serious scenario that you’ll want to avoid at all costs. Additionally, a worn wheel bearing will reduce the vehicle’s handling and braking abilities. If your wheel bearing is only making noise and does not exhibit any wheel play when inspected, you may have some time before you absolutely need to replace the bearing. However, if the wheel has excessive play due to a worn bearing, you’ll want to get it fixed immediately.

At Custom Complete Automotive, we offer comprehensive wheel and suspension services. Our technicians can diagnose and repair wheel-bearing problems, ensuring your vehicle runs smoothly and safely. Contact us for professional auto repair services.

Badfront wheel bearing symptoms

Wheel bearings can exhibit growling/howling noises and show no signs of play or wear, other than excessive noise. To diagnose these, you’ll need to drive the vehicle at various speeds in turns. A left front-wheel bearing that is worn may only make noise during left turns or right turns.

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Wheel bearingreplacement cost

Ball bearing wheel bearings are cheaper to manufacture and maintain than their tapered bearing counterparts. Press-in bearings require the use of a hydraulic press to safely remove and replace them. On most vehicles, such as a Honda Civic or Toyota Camry, specifically for front wheel bearing replacements, the steering knuckle will need to be removed. Removing the knuckle will require wheel alignment afterward. Due to the need for a hydraulic press, the need for wheel alignment, and the depth of the repair, most people opt to let the pros handle it. There are options such as removing the steering knuckle at home and taking the assembly into a shop and having them press the old bearing out and the new bearing in. When it comes to press-in bearings, a replacement wheel hub will be the most expensive part. Aftermarket parts such as NAPA offer full assemblies for replacement. This may be the better option, depending on how rusty or worn your vehicle is.

Average life ofwheelbearings

If the wheel bearing is worn, you will feel a popping as you move the wheel. Additional methods for inspecting wheel bearings include using chassis ears, a stethoscope, and a dial indicator (to measure the exact amount of wear).

These are by far the easiest bearings to work with, as long as you do not live in the rust belt. Issues that arise from bolt-in bearings are bi-metal corrosion and cost. If your vehicle is equipped with an aluminum steering knuckle, expect a fight when removing the steel bearing. This mostly applies to states that suffer from increased levels of vehicle corrosion and rust due to the climate. Since replacement parts come as an assembly, the cost can be higher when compared to a press-in or tapered roller bearing. Vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler will use these bearings on the front axle and vehicles such as the Toyota RAV4 will use these in the rear.

Checking wheel bearings for wear is easy and only requires the vehicle or wheel to be suspended. Follow these steps to check the wheel bearing on your car:

Wheel bearingnoise quick fix

Wheel bearings provide a mounting point for the wheels and allow the wheels to spin. Wheel bearings are either a tapered rolling bearing design or a ball bearing design. Ball bearing designs are either press-in or bolt-in. Let's take a look at each bearing design in more detail.

Inspect your brake pads and rotors regularly. If you notice uneven wear on either side or a distinct groove forming on the rotor, it might be due to a compromised wheel bearing affecting the alignment.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to address them promptly to ensure your safety and the longevity of your vehicle.

Worn wheel bearings can affect your braking system. If you notice your vehicle pulling to one side when applying the brakes, it could be caused by a bad wheel bearing.

Bad rearwheel bearing symptoms

How to tell whichwheel bearingis bad while driving

Your vehicle has countless components working together to provide a smooth and safe driving experience. Among these are wheel bearings, tiny yet essential components that play a pivotal role in your vehicle's functionality. Keep reading as we explore the crucial role that wheel bearings play in your vehicle's functionality and the various symptoms that indicate bad wheel bearings.

A wheel bearing comprises steel balls or tapers, commonly called ball bearings or tapered bearings. These bearings are secured within a metal ring known as a race. Positioned within the wheel's core is a hollow metal piece referred to as a hub, where the wheel bearings are housed, facilitating the smooth rotation of your wheels.

Bad wheel bearings can produce a grinding sensation, especially when you turn the steering wheel. It might feel like your vehicle is dragging or rubbing against something, and this effect can become more pronounced at higher speeds or when turning.

How much is it to fix or replace a wheel bearing? That depends on the make/model of your car as well as the type of bearing. RepairPal estimates a wheel bearing replacement will cost you between $300 and $400. This estimate can be accurate for most vehicles. However, if we look at the pricing for the popular Toyota Tacoma, the price jumps as high as $740. Using a whole knuckle assembly from NAPA or other parts suppliers will cost between $250 and $500, plus labor. Like most repairs, if you do them yourself, you can save some money. However, when it comes to serviceable bearings and press-in bearings, we recommend you let the pros handle the repair, especially if you live in the rust belt.

If you hear a consistent, rhythmic noise that sounds like growling or humming, it's a strong indicator of a bad bearing. These sounds often increase with speed and may be more noticeable when turning.

Modern vehicles have Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) that relies on data from various sensors, including wheel speed sensors. A bad wheel bearing can disrupt these readings, leading to ABS failure and potentially compromising your vehicle's safety.