Before going deeper into the bad bearing symptoms and the ways to single out the faulty one, you should know what it is and its functions.

A grinding sound coming from the tires indicates overused bearings that don’t have enough lubrication to avoid grinding friction between metal parts.

How to tellwhichwheel bearing is badwhile driving

Well, we’re going to discuss how to find out the bad one and what they actually do in keeping the wheel assembly together.

Frontwheel bearingnoise symptoms

All types of wheel bearings display similar symptoms when they are failing. Here’s how to tell which wheel bearing is bad:

Sometimes, it could be a rumbling noise when you are driving on a straight road and it escalates once you make a turn. This is how to tell which wheel bearing is bad by turning as the opposite side of the turn is the affected area.

Just grab the tires and rotate the wheels. Effortless spinning means they are fine but if one of them feels stiff, it must have a broken bearing.

How to tell if a wheel bearing is going badwhile

If a bearing is the culprit, the noise turns faster with acceleration. To identify which bearing is responsible, reduce the car’s speed and sway it gently.

Wheel bearingreplacement cost

Wheel bearings are critical for the wheels to work harmoniously with the hub and tires. There is one bearing for each wheel and it’s rare for all of them to fail at the same time. How to tell which wheel bearing is bad?

Wheel bearings also display some symptoms when they cannot function to their full ability and are on the verge of failure. But how to tell which wheel bearing is bad: front or back?

Apart from a defective bearing, this problem could result from a number of faulty components including damaged brakes, worn-out rotor, defective equalizer, or a busted rotor.

Wheel bearings support the whole weight of a vehicle and they don’t have any constant source of lubrication. For these reasons, they suffer lots of abuse and wear out over time.

How to tell if a wheel bearing is going badreddit

However, if the reason is a broken bearing, it will eventually lead to loose brakes. Whenever you step on the brakes, the car acts like it has a mind of its own and pulls in a specific direction. Examine the bearings of the side the vehicle pulls to.

Average life ofwheelbearings

Another damaged bearing-related symptom is a wobbly wheel. In that case, the car feels loose or you find the steering less responsive, to be precise, at the time of driving.

A wheel bearing is a metal ring housing a number of steel balls together. The ring, known as a race, fits inside a hub, which is a hollow metal piece at the center of the wheels.

How to tellwhichwheel bearing is badin the front

While it’s not mandatory to replace both wheel bearings at the same time, it’s often recommended to do so. If one wheel bearing has failed, the other may not be far behind in terms of wear and tear. Replacing both can help ensure even performance and safety.

Hope you are no more confused about how to tell which wheel bearing is bad. You just have to pick up the symptom and perform a simple task to find out which bearing is to blame for.

Badrearwheel bearingsymptoms

Remember that if you suspect a bad wheel bearing, it’s essential to have it inspected and replaced by a qualified mechanic to maintain your vehicle’s safety and performance.

Replacing a wheel bearing can vary in difficulty depending on your vehicle’s make and model. Some bearings are relatively easy to replace, while others may require specialized tools and knowledge.

The noise intensifies when the vehicle accelerates and it comes from either the front or backside, showing the position of the bad bearing.

The condition of the tires is another easy way to tell that there is something wrong with the bearings. If a tire wears out unevenly, it’s most likely because the attached wheel bearing is damaged.

The hub rolls on a metal axle shaft in order to lessen friction during the rotation of the wheels. These ball-shaped bearings are the most common type in today’s vehicles. There are also precision ball bearings and roller bearings.

It’s not recommended to drive with a bad wheel bearing. Continued driving with a failing wheel bearing can lead to safety hazards, further damage to your vehicle, and more expensive repairs.

Unstable wheels could be the aftereffect of some other problems too like a broken suspension or a misaligned chassis. A mechanic can pinpoint the exact reason by doing a road test.

Any system in an automobile has several small components that have to work and be integrated together for the car to run without any trouble.

The lifespan of a wheel bearing varies, but they usually last between 85,000 to 100,000 miles (137,000 to 161,000 kilometers) or more under normal conditions. However, factors like driving habits and road conditions can affect their longevity.

The cost of replacing a wheel bearing varies depending on factors such as the vehicle’s make and model, labor costs in your area, and whether you’re using OEM or aftermarket parts. On average, it can cost anywhere from $100 to $600 per wheel.

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When this happens, check each wheel by jacking up the vehicle. If the wheel assembly moves back and forth, the wheel bearing attached to it is definitely damaged.