Wheel hub bearing

A bad wheel bearing can cause a tire/wheel to move or glide unevenly or sluggishly. It can also cause your brakes to drag, pulling your vehicle to one side when you try to stop.

Average life of wheelbearings

NOTE: Whether you DIY or your mechanic replaces the bearing, always install a new axle hub nut. Most hub nuts are prevailing torque fasteners, used on critical components (like securing axle shafts to hub bearings) where a loose nut could lead to disastrous consequences.

The cage and rollers are held together inside a hardened metal ring called a “race.” The seal keeps grease in and damaging water and debris out. Wheel bearings are installed inside, and secured to, the suspension, either by press fit, bolts or a snap-ring. Once mounted, the wheel bearing rides on the axle shaft, allowing the tire/wheel to spin effortlessly.

How to tell which wheel bearing is bad while driving

On many vehicles, the ABS sensor is built into the wheel bearing, or it’s externally mounted adjacent to the spinning part of the bearing where the sensor measures vehicle speed. Damaged from a wobbly wheel bearing, the sensor will send erratic readings to the vehicle’s computer, illuminating the ABS light.

Our leading teams of inside and outside sales support are the most experienced in the industry, and are positioned around the U.S. to provide local support for all of your caster needs. We are committed to providing the service and support that you can rely on every time.

Bad wheel bearing symptoms

With leading manufacturing facilities located around the world, Shepherd takes a strategic approach to manufacture our products in the regions that best support the needs of our customers.

The average cost to replace a sealed wheel hub bearing is $350 per wheel. However, depending on the make and model, shop labor rate, the cost of the bearing itself and any additional damage, the total could exceed $1,000.

Friction from a failing wheel bearing produces heat. After driving, without touching the tires or wheels, carefully walk around your vehicle and use a non-touch thermometer to measure if one is hotter than the others.

Absolutely not. It’s crucial to get bad wheel bearings diagnosed and replaced ASAP. If not, you could lose a wheel or get in an accident.

Industry leading test labs and global quality systems confirm our casters meet stringent quality standards. Our in-house capabilities ensure all designs meet or exceed industry standards (ICWM standards) to keep your products safe and mobile.

On modern front- and four-wheel drive cars, wheel bearings are a set of permanently sealed, precisely machined steel ball or straight roller bearings. The balls, or rollers, are encased in a “cage” that supports the bearings, allowing them to rotate freely.

Depending on the vehicle, you can save hundreds in labor replacing wheel bearings yourself. Most auto parts stores will lend you the specialty tools and equipment needed to replace a wheel bearing.

Tire bearingsreplacement

But sealed wheel bearings are non-serviceable and should never be repaired, only replaced. Even if a pro suggests repairing a bearing, don’t let them. Trying to reuse a damaged wheel bearing can result in an accident and severe injury.

We are proud to be the leaders in USA-made casters, and constantly strive to set the standards in caster manufacturing, innovation, and automation.

According to Simes, a failing wheel bearing will likely produce a soft, faint vibration that’s felt before it’s heard. There may also be a vague rhythmic humming or droning sound that increases over time and with speed.

You’ll hear clicking, cracking, grinding, snapping, or whining noises coming from your wheels or tires. They’ll increase when accelerating or turning.

Wheel bearing replacement cost

Utilizing the latest in available technologies, our global design and engineering teams ensure every detail in performance, materials, and aesthetics are delivered to meet customers’ expectations and safety standards. From concept, to FEA and rapid prototyping – we bring your needs to reality.

Read on to learn the most common bad wheel bearing symptoms, based on my experience (50 years in the industry) and that of Joe Simes, a National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified and Toyota master technician. But first, a little background.

Tire bearingsreplacement cost

We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices.

Customer Expectations and requirements are met through a combined success of teamwork, expertise, technology, and commitment to excellence in design and manufacturing.

Since 1885, Colson’s quality lines of casters and wheels have defined the caster industry. Leading warranties and continuous innovations, including the unrivaled Performa wheel, have established Colson as one of the most-trusted caster brands in the world today. At Colson, we strive to protect and strengthen our legacy of trust and innovation in everything we do. Colson offers over 200,000 different standard caster models, plus the expertise and technology to provide a custom solution for any caster application. Contact us today, and put our experts to work for you in specifying the perfect Colson caster!

Simply stated, wheel bearings allow cars and trucks to run smoother and more efficiently by reducing friction and supporting vehicle weight. When they start to fail, you can usually tell.

Front wheel bearing noise symptoms

You can service or replace tapered wheel bearings yourself. Never reuse any wheel bearing that’s loose, worn, noisy or shows any signs of wear.

The Colson Group is the largest manufacturer of caster and wheel products in the world. The company has operations in 14 countries and consists of nine major global operating units. Colson Group USA is the largest operating unit of the Colson Group, and it includes some of the most renowned brands of casters and wheels in the world: Colson, Albion, Shepherd, Jarvis, MedCaster, Pemco, Faultless and Bassick. These brands have been technological leaders in caster advances for more than 350 combined years. The drive and experience of Colson Group innovators have led to some of the most trusted, highest quality and advanced mobility solutions in today’s world.

Unlike unbalanced tires, shaking caused by a bad wheel bearing should be obvious from the side of the car where the bearing is failing.

Joe Simes is an ASE and Toyota master technician. After 20 years in the industry, Simes recently became a Pennsylvania Department of Education certified automotive technology instructor at North Montco Technical Career Center in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.