Count on us to improve equipment reliability through permanent bearing protection. No matter the size or complexity of the application, Inpro/Seal’s technical experts can design a custom solution for your equipment. With over 40 years of experience, we are the trusted source of Bearing Isolator technology.

Bearingseal material

Learning when your wheel bearings need to be replaced can help you prevent dangerous driving situations and keep your car safely running.

Never drive for any extended period with worn or broken wheel bearings. Here are some indicators that they need to be replaced.

At Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres, we offer bumper-to-bumper repairs and maintenance inspections. Our technicians use only quality parts to ensure your car runs as efficiently as possible. Contact us at one of our many convenient locations across British Columbia and Calgary, or schedule an appointment online.

Inpro/Seal Bearing Isolators permanently protect rotating equipment from contamination ingress and lubrication loss, significantly increasing equipment reliability, reducing maintenance costs and minimizing unscheduled downtime.

2. You hear strange noises. Loud grinding or roaring sounds from the wheels are another sign of wheel bearing problems. If a bearing loses its lubrication, the metal inside grinds against the metal, producing an awful noise. See a mechanic if you hear these types of sounds.

A leading cause of equipment downtime and lost production, bearing failure impacts equipment reliability across all industries. Over half of failed bearings are caused by lubrication loss and contaminants, such as dirt and moisture, entering the bearing housing. Because of this, maintenance professionals place an increased emphasis on bearing protection as a means of improving overall equipment reliability.

Bearingseal types

4. You experience wheel wobble. A worn wheel bearing loose inside the hub will cause the vehicle’s steering wheel to feel different. In particular, your car’s steering may feel “loose” and not very responsive.

Wheel bearings last a long time. Their average lifespan is between 130,000 and 160,000 kilometres. How and where you drive and the quality of the bearing itself will determine the longevity of the component.

BearingSeal size chart

1. There’s unusual tire wear. Abnormal tire wear may mean you have a problem with your wheel bearings. If you see unusual tread wear on your left tire, you may have a faulty left wheel bearing. Keep in mind, you can’t replace just one wheel bearing. If the left side goes, you need to replace the right side, too.

BearingRubber Seal

Contact seals, such as lip seals, are common bearing seals that rely on mechanical contact to seal the bearing housing. Due to this, they eventually wear at the point of contact or groove the shaft, becoming ineffective. Their short and unpredictable service life makes them inadequate to seal industrial rotating equipment.

BearingSeal Kit

Wheel bearings connect your car’s wheels to axles. They’re steel rings with small, lubricated steel balls inside them that allow the wheels to spin at high speeds with minimal friction. Although rare, faulty bearings can cause an entire wheel to fall off your car while you’re driving.

Inpro/Seal is a world leader in the design and manufacture of permanent bearing protection and complete shaft sealing solutions across multiple industries. We are dedicated to providing equipment reliability through engineering excellence, superior sealing technology and unmatched customer support. Read more about our application solutions or the industries we serve.

3. The steering wheel vibrates. Worn-out wheel bearings will cause your steering wheel to vibrate. It’ll begin at slow speeds and get worse as you accelerate. If this occurs, get your steering and suspension checked by a mechanic to determine the nature of the problem.

Uneven tire wear can be a sign of other problems (a wheel alignment may be needed, for example), so it’s best to get a professional to check it out.

5. The vehicle pulls when you brake. Another symptom of a worn wheel bearing is if the car pulls to one side when you apply the brakes. This can also indicate seized brake calipers or collapsed brake hoses, so it’s best to get a brake inspection at a trusted auto centre.

Bearingseal types SKF

As the inventor of the Bearing Isolator, Inpro/Seal has delivered proven permanent bearing protection for rotating equipment, including pumps, motors, pillow blocks, gearboxes and more, for over 45 years. The Inpro/Seal Bearing Isolator’s innovative non-contacting design consists of a unitized stator and rotor that form a compound labyrinth seal with no wearing parts, ensuring permanent bearing protection against lubrication loss and contamination ingress for the lifetime of your equipment.

Inpro/Seal is committed to making sure you have the right technology, right when you need it. We know that time is money. That’s why we offer same-day shipments on most Bearing Isolators, even new and custom designs. If you require same-day shipments on an Inpro/Seal Bearing Isolator, contact your local Inpro/Seal representative.

Here at Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres in British Columbia, we’re always pleased to help our customers get the most out of their cars and trucks. To that end, we’ll add a relevant blog topic from time to time to keep you up to date and getting the most out of your vehicle.