If you have bad wheel bearings, you might experience the vehicle pulling to one side, sloppy or loose steering, grinding and rattling noises, and uneven tire wear.

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Not enough lubrication allows for increased friction, which increases heat. The camshaft can then damage the bearing surface as it rotates, which, after further use, may eventually lead to a broken cam cap. The image depicts the discoloration of a bearing journal because of poor lubrication. The blue arrow points to the extension of the issue onto the shaft.

The short answer is: Not for too long. Having bad wheel bearings can range from inconvenient and unpleasant to downright dangerous.

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In theory, wheel bearings could last as long as your Dodge. Unlike oil changes or tire rotations, there’s no standard maintenance schedule for replacing them. However, wheel bearings can be damaged if you hit a pothole, smack into a curb or bounce over a speed bump too fast.

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Sometimes this happens if the vehicle is brand new, older, the manufacturer no longer makes vehicles, or we just couldn’t get our hands on the information.

Badcambearingsound

Damage to your bearings can cause a whole host of other issues for your engine. If you think you might be experiencing problems due to bearing damage, it might be a good idea to talk to your mechanic, or you can give us a call at 844-304-7688 to speak with one of our certified techs. You can also request a quote online for any of our parts.

For a national average across all vehicles, the average cost to replace the wheel bearings (for 1 wheel) is about $350 (including parts and labor). But KBB.com goes deeper than that. Based on analyzing 100s of actual repair orders, we put together the Kelley Blue Book Fair Repair Range to show you what you should expect to pay for this repair for your Dodge. Simply tell us the year, model and style of your Dodge and we’ll show you a fair price for the repair.

If the oil holes aren’t aligned correctly on install, the oil cannot properly lubricate the camshaft, again leading to increased friction and wear on the bearings. The image shows the improper alignment of the bearings leading to partially blocked oil holes.

It’s not just camshafts that can wear or failthe camshaft bearings can have issues as well. Bearing failure can cause extensive damage to other engine components, so it’s important to identify the root cause of issues and repair them as soon as possible. Below are some common camshaft bearing issues and possible causes to help you better identify what’s going wrong in your engine.

Bad camshaft bearing symptomssilverado

For proper function, bearings have to fit correctly, be aligned and be supported. When that is not achieved, you can have damage to the bearing journal. The below image shows a bearing whose measurements and wear marks indicate that the camshaft bearing bore in the block was probably oversized. The wear marks are uneven, indicating a likely distortion. There was probably too much clearance space, allowing the camshaft to move, hurting both lubrication and support.

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It’s also important to pay attention to specific cam types as you’re cleaning. The ISX Injector Camshafts, for example, are hollow, and sometimes debris collects inside the cam as it spins, like a centrifuge. We have seen times when the cam is removed, the jarring from setting the cam on the ground causes the debris to break free. This debris can plug an oil hole, starving the bearing and ultimately failing the cam, bearing, and possibly the head.

Recalls may not affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. Use your VIN or plate to find out if your specific car has open recalls.

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More than just noisy or bothersome, bad wheel bearings could also lead to real performance issues like inconsistent braking, spongy steering and handling, uneven tire wear and, in extreme cases, the wheels could fall off. No matter how much (or how little) you know about cars, you don’t want the wheels falling off, right?

Too much wear can spell disaster for your camshaft bearings. Several things could be causing this, like improper install, incorrect bearing sizes, or elevated operating temperatures. Again, with these issues we’d see decreased lubrication, allowing for further damage to your bearings. If left long enough, you could experience total bearing failure.

For more on any of these complaints – not to mention more than you ever knew you wanted to know about wheel bearings, read the full article

Writing for the July-September 2018 issue of Engine Professional, Brandon Flannery points out that your engine must be cleanthe cleaner the betterbefore assembly. He finds that failed bearings are often caused by debris build-ups from poor cleaningand blowing with compressed air might only make matters worse. Instead, rinse and wash them thoroughly to keep that debris from contaminating the oil that lubricates the camshaft and bearings. This dirt can either cause damage to the components’ surface, or block clearance space, both of which could lead to failure.

If water, grit, salt or sand get to the bearings, the grease in the hub assembly gets contaminated. This will wear down the bearings, and they will eventually give out.

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Installing bearings the correct way can help prevent these problemsread our past blog, Camshaft Bearing Facts and Installation, for tips on properly installing your bearings.

If your bearings aren’t installed correctly, lubrication may be negatively impacted, which can lead to bearing failure, as shown in the below image. Note the partially covered oil hole in the second image.

If you hear noises at the wheels, one explanation might be a need for a wheel bearing replacement at one or more wheels. The noises might be described as rattling, clicking, humming, growling, or squealing. It can be a real symphony of sound if you’re not careful.

Recalls may not affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model. Use your VIN or plate to find out if your specific car has open recalls.