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Wheel bearing noisedangerous

Learn the science behind engine oil and why regular oil changes matter. From conventional to synthetic, GreatWater can help you choose the right oil for your vehicle.

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.

Wheel bearing noisewhen accelerating

We don't take shortcuts when it comes to our work, and we won't mislead you or sugarcoat anything either. As a result, we've turned one-time customers into life-long ones. Doing right by our customers is the best and only way we work - regardless of the type of vehicle issue you're experiencing. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to address any wheel-bearing, or any other repair or maintenance.

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.

Frontwheel bearing noisesymptoms

Because of their long lifespan, failure is usually caused by the typical everyday wear and tear from driving your vehicle over time.

Wheel bearing noisewhen turning

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.

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.

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.

However, it is worth noting that the conditions you drive in can impact how quickly your bearings will need to be replaced. For instance, if you regularly drive in muddy or wet conditions, water and other contaminants could wear away at bearings faster than normal.

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.

Wheel bearing noisewhen driving

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.

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.

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.

Wheel bearing noisetest

For more information on the importance of a wheel bearing and how to know when it might be time to replace one or more of your vehicle's bearings, contact or visit your nearest GreatWater service center today.Â

While you may not be able to immediately visually identify a faulty wheel bearing based on its tough-to-access location between the wheel and the axle, you can listen and feel for signs of an issue.

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.

If any of the signs and symptoms we mentioned above sound familiar, then it's important to have your wheel bearings inspected. While you could possibly do this yourself at home with the help of a carjack, it's probably best to just leave it to the pros by scheduling an appointment at any of our local service centers for a thorough assessment.

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.

Wheel bearing noisequick fix

Most quality wheel bearings can last anywhere from 100,000 to 150,000 miles before replacement is necessary. However, once it’s time for your vehicle’s wheel bearings to be replaced it’s important to do so quickly to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely.Â

When you visit any of our locally run service centers for wheel bearing replacement, you can rest assured that the job will be done right - that’s why each GreatWater-affiliated shop offers an industry-leading 3 Year/36,000 Mile Nationwide Warranty. But you can count on more than just premium service when you bring your vehicle to any of our partner locations, expect a first-rate customer experience as well. Â

How to fix badwheel bearing

That might be the best way to describe a wheel bearing - a key component to safe and efficient driving. A bad wheel bearing, however, can really impact your driving - and your safety. And it's a big part of why a faulty wheel bearing should be immediately serviced.

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

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.

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.

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.

Get road trip ready with pre-trip car maintenance at GreatWater. From oil changes to brake inspections, our team ensures your vehicle is safe and roadworthy.

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

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.

Wheel bearings may sound complex, but their function is fairly simple. At the very basic level, wheel bearings are metal rings that connect the wheel and the axle. Within the metal ring is a series of ball bearings or tapered bearings, which help the wheel rotate efficiently and effectively, aiding in acceleration, braking, cornering, steering, and more vital driving functions.

In this post, we'll help you understand the importance of wheel bearings, how to identify wheel bearing problems, and how any of our local GreatWater-affiliated shops can help maintain and replace these key components so you can hit the road with confidence again.