Rubber sealvsmetal seal bearing

The most popular type of shielded bearing is the Z Type. It features a single metal shield on only one side of the bearing. This design gives the Z Type it a minimal clearance, but it doesn’t handle heavy loads, high speed or high precision. An alternative option is the ZZ Type or ‘2Z’ shielded bearing, which features a metal shield on both sides of its sides. While the ZZ Type cannot be removed once it has been installed, it doesn’t make contact with the inner ring, so there is no impact on the operational speed.

Greasingshielded bearings

The wheel bearings consist of steel ball bearings inside the wheel hub. They enable the wheels to roll smoothly and silently while providing anchor points for the vehicle's steering, suspension, wheels, and brake components. When a wheel bearing goes bad, the affected wheel will wobble or move unnecessarily, wreaking havoc on the many undercarriage parts that rely on proper alignment to work correctly. As the problem worsens, the grinding or squealing noises get louder, which means the wheel bearings are near total failure.

Doshielded bearingsneed to be greased

It won't be hard to tell if your vehicle has broken wheel bearings. The most common symptoms of worn wheel bearings are squealing or grinding noises that get louder the faster you go. The noise could emanate from the front or back or the left and right of the vehicle, depending on which wheel bearing is going bad. Sometimes, you might notice a humming noise or clicking sounds coming from the front or rear wheels, which could be mistaken for tire roar or road noise.

Open bearingvs sealedbearing

While we’ve covered the basics of ball bearings and roller bearings, what you may not be familiar with are bearing closures. Bearing closures are available in two simple types, namely shields and seals. Both are considered integral parts of deep groove bearings as they retain lubrication, prevent contaminants from penetrating the internal surfaces and can ultimately protect and extend the life of the bearing.

No, we do not recommend driving a car with faulty or noisy wheel bearings. The wheels could fall off the vehicle while driving, which is not a great way to start your day. Broken wheel bearings will cause the affected wheel to wobble incessantly while the car is moving, and this will cause various issues with the steering, suspension, and brakes, like vibrations when braking or turning the wheel.

Shields are made from either plastic or metal and are secured to the outer race on each side of the bearing. This design effectively retains lubrication and protects against grease contamination. Shields have no limitations when it comes to speed, but their sealing efficiency is low. This is where seals are more efficient, offering a much higher protection from moisture and dirt. The trade-off is that the high-contact pressure against the inner-race causes friction, restricting operating speeds and increasing the temperature.

Doubleshieldedbearing

Noisy or broken wheel bearings are a safety concern for any vehicle. It also makes some vehicles almost undrivable. If you notice strange, grinding noises while driving or feel one side of the vehicle wobbling, bring the car to a mechanic as soon as necessary before the issue worsens or the wheels fall off.

The bulk of the wheel bearing replacement cost is attributable to the labor. In some cars where the wheel bearings are easier to access and remove, the labor cost could be around $80 to $200. The wheel bearings cost anywhere from $40 to $120 each, depending on the vehicle. You'll have to pay more if you have a larger vehicle like a full-size SUV or heavy-duty pickup truck, which could reach over $1,000 in parts and labor.

Sealed bearings

A popular type of sealed bearing is the 2RS which features a moulded rubber (nitrate) seal, bonded to a steel insert and fixed into a groove in the outer ring. Since this seal makes contact with the inner ring, it provides far better protection from environmental contaminants than a metal shield. The bearing’s speed capabilities, however, will be limited and rubber tends to react with certain chemicals, so it’s important to be mindful of this when selecting your lubricant. An alternative seal is the 2RU. While similar in design to the 2RS, this type of seal does not make contact with the inner ring, so it does not affect the torque of the bearing.

There are various types of closures that can be supplied with a single bearing, and some can even be specially designed to suit a particularly unique application. Both shields and seals have their purpose but deciding which one to use or which combination can be tricky. To determine the correct closure for an application, you first need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Shielded vsOpenbearings

Sealed bearings vsgreasablebearings

These are just a couple of the more common closures that are available. There are many other types and variations and, as mentioned, a combined option is also possible. If you’re interested in learning more about seals or shields, or if you’re having trouble deciding on the proper option for your application, make sure you contact your knowledgeable, local supplier. Contact Bearing Centre, we offer all our customers 24/7 support.

We had a bruised and battered Mitsubishi Mirage G4 with unusually high miles, and we had to replace the wheel bearings thrice during its useful life. In one instance, the right rear wheel was wobbling badly and making loud, grinding noises, whether moving fast or creeping forward from a stop.

We combine our years of expertise with exceptional customer service and the highest quality products. All this assures you of the best experience from start to finish.

For instance, a faulty wheel bearing may cause uneven tire wear, wobbly steering, and an illuminated ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) warning light. An easy way to check for broken wheel bearings is to place the car on a lift or raise the affected side with a jack and a heavy-duty jack stand. Next, grab the affected wheel from both sides and try shaking it. The wheel should not move unnecessarily if the wheel bearing is solid. However, replacing the wheel bearing is necessary if it shakes or moves in its axis.

The factory wheel bearings in your car do not require periodic maintenance and are, in most cases, designed to last the life of your vehicle. However, the grease inside the bearings could get contaminated by prolonged exposure to rain, mud, road salts, and sand. Meanwhile, overloading the vehicle or driving over speed bumps, curbs, or potholes could prematurely damage the wheel bearings.

The good news is that you don't need to replace the wheel bearings on all four wheels if only one side has worn out, but replacing the wheel bearings as a pair wouldn't be a bad idea. If the wheel bearing in the right wheel hub has gone bad, it would be better to also replace the bearings in the left wheel, but it all depends on your budget.