Rob’s newest book, The Best of The Hack Mechanic, is available here on Amazon, as are his seven other books. Signed copies can be ordered directly from Rob here.

A severely worn wheel bearing can make your vehicle feel loose, sloppy or unstable when steering, especially at higher speeds. You may notice the car wandering or pulling to one side, or the steering wheel may feel wobbly or hard to control. These symptoms can also be caused by alignment issues or worn suspension components, so it's important to have a mechanic diagnose the problem.

What happens ifa wheel bearingfails while driving

On newer BMWs, the front wheel bearings are very different than on the 1970s-era cars. About ten years ago, I owned a ’99 E39 528iT wagon that needed struts, control arms, and other front-end work. The E39’s wheel bearings are part of an assembly that includes the front hub—the wheel bearing assembly bolts to the steering knuckle, and the wheel bolts directly to the bearing assembly.

Rear wheel bearings on old BMWs are incredibly robust. I’ve only ever had one go bad. It was on a Bavaria that my wife and I took on vacation to Martha’s Vineyard in 1986. We were foolishly driving in near-hurricane conditions and got caught in a tidal surge on the road that runs on the barrier beach between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs and drove through water that was deeper than we expected (as I said, foolish). On the drive home, the right rear wheel bearing began rumbling ominously. At the time, I didn’t own the necessary bearing puller, and had to take the car into the late great Beaconwood Motors who had the back page ad of Roundel for a generation. It was one of a handful of repairs the past 40 years I’ve paid someone else to do.

Why do I have these and why can I lay my hands on them instantly? As Joseph Fiennes said in Shakespeare in Love, “It’s a mystery.”

However, like any other mechanical component, wheel bearings can wear out over time due to age, mileage, driving habits, and exposure to the elements. When they fail, it compromises the wheel's ability to turn freely, which creates a host of problems ranging fromannoying to downright dangerous. That's why it's crucial to address wheel bearing issues promptly.

I then jacked up the left front wheel and rocked it at 6 and 12. Yup, play. Then I spun it. Yup, rumbly. No doubt—a bad left wheel bearing. I set the car back down and began to walk back to the computer to order the bearings, vividly recalling how much of a pain in the butt they were to replace in the 528iT wagon ten years ago. I wondered if maybe still having those eight spare bearing bolts had made the whole thing a matter of fate.

How longcanyou drive onabadwheel bearing

Now that you have a basic understanding of wheel bearings, let's look at the various factors that can impact the cost of replacing them:

Some cheaper, low-quality bearings may not last as long or perform as well as premium options, so it's important to choose a reputable brand and supplier. Don't just go for the lowest price; consider the long-term value and reliability of the parts you're putting on your vehicle.

How long willa wheel bearinglast once it starts making noise

It's also a good idea to have your vehicle's alignment checked after replacing a wheel bearing, as misalignment can cause premature wear on the new bearings and other tire components. An alignment typically costs between $50 and $150, depending on the type of vehicle and the complexity of the adjustment.

In some cases, a faulty wheel bearing can damage the sensors that monitor wheel speed for the anti-lock braking system (ABS). If you see the ABS warning light illuminate on your dashboard, it could be related to a bearing issue. A scan tool can help pinpoint the exact cause of the ABS fault.

And I’m going to have some sort of voodoo ceremony with that bag of Locktite-coated wheel bearing bolts. I can’t tell whether they were bad juju that triggered the problem or a talisman that warded off disaster, but clearly they played some role outside the normal Western vectors of Newtonian mechanics and Cartesian cause and effect. They deserve reverence.

In rare cases, a wheel bearing failure may be caused by a manufacturing defect or faulty material, in which case it may be covered under the vehicle's powertrain warranty. However, this is unlikely unless the failure occurs very early in the vehicle's life and is not related to any external factors like accidents, modifications or abuse.

So how do you know if you need a wheel bearing replacement in the first place? Here are some common symptoms of a bad wheel bearing to watch out for:

Still, to be careful, I pulled into the right lane, slowed down, and listened. The somewhat rapid onset was uncharacteristic of a wheel bearing, but the other symptoms fit. Since I had a recording appointment with a fiddle player, I preferred to keep going, unless of course I couldn’t for safety reasons. The rumbling remained at a constant low level, so I assumed it was a wheel bearing doing the soft failure thing, and continued on.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it's best to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. Ignoring a bad wheel bearing can lead to more extensive damage and costlier repairs down the road, not to mention the safety risk of a potential wheel separation or loss of control.

In contrast, soft failures are things that either give you ample warning before they fail completely, or their failure doesn’t immediately drag the car into the breakdown lane. A textbook soft failure is when the alternator or voltage regulator dies. Even though the battery is no longer being charged, the car can continue to run for some amount of time off the battery alone. On a vintage car like a 2002, you can likely drive for hours during daylight before the battery no longer has enough juice to light the spark plugs. On a late-model car loaded with electric motors and control modules, you might have more like fifteen minutes to an hour—enough to get to a rest area, possibly even a repair shop.

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In the repair world, there are “hard failures” and “soft failures.” Hard failures are things that instantly drag a car to a stop when they break. Broken ball joint? The worst type of hard failure—the front wheel folds under the fender like a broken ankle and you lose control of the car. Bad fuel pump? Usually a hard failure—it either pumps or it doesn’t. (Okay, there are some exceptions. The one my E39 wigged out on a low tank in hot weather, then recovered. I replaced it anyway.)

Signs of badwheel bearing

And so, just to be certain, to placate my left brain and make sure I didn’t go to all that work unless it was absolutely necessary, I took a 1/2-inch ratchet and a 17mm socket and checked the wheel’s lug nuts.

The main job of wheel bearings is to enable the wheel to rotate smoothly with minimal friction. They support the entire weight of the vehicle while in motion. Most modern cars, trucks and SUVs have sealed wheel bearing assemblies that are pre-lubricated at the factory and designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle under normal driving conditions.

Incorrectly installed or adjusted wheel bearings can fail prematurely or cause other problems like uneven tire wear, vibration and steering issues. In some cases, a botched bearing job can even lead to a wheel separation or loss of control, which could have catastrophic consequences.

When a wheel bearing is damaged, it can cause the wheel to wobble or tilt at an angle, which leads to uneven or rapid tire wear. If you notice that one tire is wearing out much faster than the others, or if the tread is wearing unevenly across the width of the tire, it could be a sign of a bad bearing.

Then I checked the lug nuts on the right front wheel. While none were loose to the point of being free-spinning, all were substantially below the 88 foot-pound torque spec. The rears were fine.

Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $140 per hour for labor, with most wheel bearing replacements taking between one and three hours to complete. If your vehicle has a more complex suspension setup or if the bearings are particularly difficult to access, labor costs could be higher.

How much does it cost to replacea wheel bearing

If you've started hearing strange noises coming from your car's wheels or noticed unusual vibrations while driving, it may be time to consider a wheel bearing replacement. But before you head to the mechanic, you're probably wondering: how much is this going to cost me? Don't worry, we've got you covered with all the details on front and rear wheel bearing replacement costs, what factors influence the price, and how to tell if your bearings have gone bad. By the end of this article, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to make an informed decision about getting your wheel bearings replaced. Let's dive in!

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Wheel bearings are generally considered a wear item and are not typically covered under a vehicle's basic factory warranty. However, some extended warranties or service contracts may include coverage for wheel bearing replacements, so it's worth checking your specific policy to see what's included.

Before we talk dollars and cents, it's important to understand what wheel bearings are and the critical role they play in your vehicle's performance and safety. Wheel bearings are small metal balls or tapered rollers enclosed in a metal ring called a race. They inside a hollow piece of metal called a hub, which attaches to the vehicle's suspension on one side and the brake disc or drum on the other.

The make, model and year of your vehicle play a significant role in determining the cost of a wheel bearing replacement. Luxury and high-performance vehicles often use higher-quality, more expensive wheel bearing assemblies than economy cars. Additionally, some makes and models may require specialized tools or procedures to replace the bearings, which can drive up labor costs.

Another key factor is whether you need to replace a front or rear wheelbearing. In general, front wheel bearings tend to wear out faster than rear bearings because they carry more of the vehicle's weight and are subjected to greater stress from turning and braking. As a result, front wheel bearing replacement costs are often higher.

I was driving my 2003 E39 530i up to do some recording in Chelmsford, about 30 miles north of me, when I began to hear and feel a rumbling coming from the left front of the car. It ramped up over several minutes, but then plateaued. If it instead had gotten VERY loud VERY quickly, with obvious metal-smacking-against-metal instead of the more gentle rumble of a worn bearing, that would be the hallmark of loose lug nuts, something you need to pay attention to IMMEDIATELY because you may have only five or ten seconds before the wheel falls off.

Depending on the vehicle and the complexity of the job, a wheel bearing replacement can take anywhere from one to three hours to complete. Some vehicles may require additional steps like removing the steering knuckle or axle shaft, which can add to the labor time and cost.

I intentionally jacked up the car at the right front wheel—the one I didn’t think was making the noise—to get a baseline. I grabbed it at 6 and 12, rocked it, verified it was tight, and spun it. As expected, it was quiet.

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To make sure this doesn’t happen again, I’m instituting a new system of checking the lug nuts on all four wheels after I’ve done any work where a car is jacked up for any reason.

On 1970s-era BMWs, there are inner and outer front wheel bearings with each sitting in its own race that’s pressed into the hub. Since the front discs on these cars sit on the inside surface of the hub, and since the bearings lift out of their races and present their greasy private parts to you when you pull the hub off the spindle, the advice is that, if there’s no documentation on how old the bearings are, to replace both sets of bearings on both sides when the front discs are replaced.

While wheel bearing replacements can be costly, they're a necessary part of maintaining your vehicle's performance, comfort and safety. By staying on top of regular inspections and addressing any issues promptly, you can help extend the life of your bearings and avoid more expensive repairs down the road.

The cost of the replacement wheel bearing assembly itself can range from $100 to $800 or more, depending on the quality and brand. OEM bearings are typically more expensive than aftermarket ones, but they may come with a better warranty and assurance of proper fitment.

For most people, it's safer and more cost-effective to leave wheel bearing replacement to the professionals. A qualified mechanic will have the knowledge, tools and experience to do the job correctly and efficiently, and they can also spot any related issues that may need to be addressed.

I can only speculate what happened. Due to the space constraints in my garage, when I swap winter/summer wheels, I’ll usually pull one end of the car in, jack it up, swap both wheels, snug the lug nuts with a ratchet, let the car down, torque the nuts, air the tires, then pull the car out, flip it around, and do the other side. I must’ve gotten interrupted. Maybe I received a text I felt that I needed to respond to. Maybe my wife was leaving and I walked outside to kiss her goodbye. Maybe I had back pain and took a break. I don’t know.

Wheel bearingnoise

After the recording session ended, I began driving back toward the highway. As I approached a small service station, I debated stopping to have them throw the car up on the lift and check it, but again, since the rumble remained low and constant, I headed home. Still, to err on the literal side of safety, I stayed in the right lane, turned the flashers on, and drove at 50 mph.

In summary, the cost of a wheel bearing replacement can vary widely depending on your vehicle make and model, labor rates in your area, and the specific type of bearing assembly required. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $800 per wheel, with some luxury or heavy-duty vehicles costing even more.

Although bearing rumble is usually quite clear, part of testing for a bad wheel bearing is to jack the car up, set it on stands, grab the wheel at the 6:00 and 12:00 positions, and push-pull it. If you’re hands are at 3:00 and 9:00 instead, play in a front wheel can come from anything in the steering mechanism, but 6-and-12 play pretty much has to be coming from the wheel bearing. In an old-school car with adjustable wheel bearings, if there’s no rumble, you can try adjusting the bearing by pulling the cotter pin and moving the castellated nut by one notch, but play plus rumble equals bad.

Under normal driving conditions and with proper maintenance, wheel bearings can last anywhere from 85,000 to 100,000 miles or more. However, their lifespan can be significantly shorter if they're exposed to harsh conditions like frequent driving on rough roads, heavy towing or hauling, or extreme temperatures.

One of the most noticeable signs of a failing wheel bearing is a loud, constant humming, rumbling or growling noise coming from the wheel area. The noise may get louder or change pitch as you accelerate, decelerate or turn. If you suspect a bad bearing, try swerving gently from side to side in an empty parking lot. If the noise gets louder when you turn one way and softer when you turn the other way, it's likely a bearing issue.

When I arrived home, I pulled the nose of the car right into the garage, then hopped on the laptop to get a set of front wheel bearing on order. I looked on FCP Euro, and was more than a little surprised to find that a front wheel bearing kit with German FAG wheel bearing assemblies now cost $312. Of course, I still had that set of bolts, so I could save myself the $4.29 per bolt right there. I mean thirty-four bucks is thirty-four bucks, right? One FAG bearing was $139. I began entertaining replacing just the left bearing, then price-shopping other manufacturers, when I decided that I should be certain that the wheel bearing was really the problem.

While it is possible to replace wheel bearings yourself if you have the right tools and experience, it's generally not recommended for the average DIY mechanic. Wheel bearing replacement requires specialized equipment like a hydraulic press, torque wrench and bearing puller, as well as a clean, well-lit workspace and a good understanding of vehicle suspension and braking systems.

Catastrophicwheel bearingfailure

If you're experiencing wheel bearing issues and your vehicle is still under warranty, it's best to contact your dealer or warranty provider to discuss your options. They may require an inspection to determine the cause of the failure and whether it's eligible for coverage.

I snugged them down, grabbed the wheel at 6 and 12 and verified that the play was gone, spun it and verified that the noise was gone, let the car down off the jack, and tightened them up with a torque wrench.

As wheel bearings wear out, they can cause excessive play and looseness in the wheel, which translates to vibration in the steering wheel, floorboard or seats. You may feel the vibrations at all speeds, or only at certain mph ranges. If the vibration changes when you turn left or right, that's another indicator of a potential bearing problem.

In some cases, your mechanic may recommend additional services or repairs along with the wheel bearing replacement. For example, if the bearing failure caused damage to the brake rotors, CV joints, or other suspension components, you may need to replace those parts as well. This can significantly increase the overall cost of the repair.

Perhaps the down comforter of soft failures is a bad wheel bearing. Loss of lubrication will cause them to wear, resulting in a rumble that sometimes can be more felt than heard (they may also squeak or squeal), but the failure process is gradual. They’ll get louder as wear and play embrace each other in an ever-widening downward spiral, but you’d have to be an idiot not to hear it and address it, making outright failure rare. Wheel bearings are pretty robust in BMWs. After owning over 70 cars, I’ve only ever seen one wheel bearing that completely self-destructed—a ’67 2000CS I bought came with one that had destroyed the stub axle. I had to replace the entire front strut assembly.

The cost of labor can vary widely depending on your location, the type of repair shop you go to, and the experience level of the mechanic. In general, dealerships charge more for labor than independent garages, but they may have better access to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts and specialized tools.

Temporary fix for badwheel bearing

Rob Siegel has been writing the column The Hack Mechanic for Roundel Magazine for 35 years, and is the author of eight books available on Amazon. He currently owns thirteen cars. Yes, his wife knows about all of them.

Remember, even with the best maintenance, wheel bearings are still a wear item that will eventually need to be replaced. Staying on top of regular inspections and addressing any issues promptly can help you avoid more costly repairs and keep your vehicle running safely and smoothly.

My ever-rational left-brain shot back indignantly. “You can’t be serious,” it sneered. “You actually had a wheel fall off that 1600 back in 1984. And you’ve had two close calls, both more recently than you’d like to admit. You know what loose lug nuts sound like, and this wasn’t it. And you learned your lesson. You conditioned yourself to always tighten lug nuts with a torque wrench. It’s not loose lug nuts. Really. It’s not. It can’t be. You are not that careless.”

However, rear-wheel drive vehicles may put more strain on the rear bearings, especially if they're frequently used for towing or hauling heavy loads. If you have a bad rear wheel bearing, you may end up paying more for the replacement due to the added complexity of the job.

If you suspect a bad wheel bearing, don't ignore the problem or put off the repair. A failing bearing can cause serious safety issues and lead to more extensive damage if left unchecked. Have your vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic as soon as possible to diagnose the issue and get a detailed quote for the repair.

Keep in mind that these are rough estimates, and your actual cost may be higher or lower depending on the specific make and model of your vehicle, your location, and the other factors we discussed earlier. It's always a good idea to get a detailed quote from your mechanic before agreeing to any repairs.