If you suspect you are driving with a broken — or nearly broken — wheel bearing, stop in and see us today. Our team of trained technicians will quickly assess and repair your vehicle and have you back on the road in no time!

A: Common causes include poor maintenance, water and dirt contamination, extreme driving conditions, and manufacturing defects.

Timing belt vs timingchaincost

The timing belt or chain links the rotation of the crankshaft to the rotation of the camshaft(s). This, in turn, dictates when the valves open and close. The valves control the flow of fuel or exhaust into or out of the combustion chambers (cylinders). It is critical that the crankshaft and camshaft(s) be in perfect time for the engine to run at optimum.

Timingchainlifespan

You can find the timing belt outside of the engine. The timing chain is on the inside, where it’s lubricated by the engine oil.

When wheel bearings wear out, they can have a significant impact on vehicle performance, leading to increased friction and resistance within the wheel assembly. This extra friction forces the engine to work harder to maintain the same speed, resulting in decreased fuel efficiency. Additionally, worn bearings can cause uneven tire wear, as the compromised alignment and stability of the wheels lead to irregular contact with the road surface. Hitting a pothole or other road hazard can exacerbate bearing damage, potentially causing sudden bearing failure and loss of vehicle control. The deterioration of wheel bearings also affects the proper transfer of torque from the engine to the wheels, further compromising handling and increasing braking distance.

Wheel bearings are essential in the operation of your vehicle. More precisely, a wheel bearing is crucial for the proper function of the hub, tire, and wheel assemblies to work together. The wheel bearing allows friction-free movement and rotation of the hub assembly, and thereby provides smooth tire and wheel rotation. Worn-out or damaged wheel bearings can lead to a range of problems that affect vehicle performance and safety, making it essential for drivers to recognize the signs of trouble.

Tire Wear and Tear. What about your tires? We all know the importance of rotating your tires to promote even wear, but did you know a broken wheel bearing can lead to uneven tire wear too? The looseness of the wheel and the vibration that reverberates through the wheel cause your tires to wear unevenly, meaning you are more likely to have to invest in new tires sooner.

Unusual Noises Coming From the Wheels. Listen carefully. The most common and often most-identifiable symptom associated with a bad wheel bearing is noise coming from the wheel or tire area of the moving vehicle. You may mistake this as engine noise, but when you listen closely you will likely hear grinding or grating that gets louder as the vehicle accelerates. Since wheel bearings are not known for wearing out too frequently, the noise is typically suspected to be something else and the problem gets overlooked.

It's pretty easy to replace the timing belt by yourself. There are plenty of model-specific tutorials available on the web. For example, here's a timing belt replacement tutorial for the Toyota Highlander.

From the crankshaft, the belt or chain extends upwards to the camshaft pulley(s) or gear(s). There's one pulley/gear if it is a single overhead, inline camshaft configuration. There's more than one pulley/gear if it is a V-style or multiple overhead camshaft configuration. Between the crank and camshafts, the belt or chain often powers other critical engine components. For example, the oil and/or fuel pump, depending on engine configuration. Often, the tightness of the chain or belt is regulated by a tensioner pulley as well. It's a small pulley that pushes or pulls on the chain/belt to provide the tension.

Timing belt orchainby registration

When you bring your family’s car to Wiygul Automotive Clinic, we take your trust in us seriously. We take the time to get to know you and your vehicle. In addition, we will send you service reminders and maintain service records that help keep your car’s factory warranty valid - which means you don’t have to go to the dealer for service.

A: While possible, replacing a wheel bearing requires specific tools and expertise. It’s recommended to seek professional help for accurate installation.

Whether an engine has a timing belt or a chain, the setup is the same. The belt or chain's rotation determines the engine's timing.

Chain cambeltreplacement

Timing beltchainreplacement cost

Timing belts have a few disadvantages that timing chains do not. First, timing belts experience stretching over time and will wear out after 90,000 miles or so. Replacing a timing belt is not difficult for a mechanic, but it is time consuming. A car owner will typically pay more than $1000 to have the timing belt replaced.

Timing belt vs timingchainpros and cons

A: Driving with a bad wheel bearing is dangerous as it can lead to wheel failure and accidents. It should be addressed immediately.

But first, you need a replacement timing belt or chain. Quality matters a lot. OEM timing belts and chains are generally better than aftermarket ones. It's because they are designed to be the exact same size and type as the original equipment. Aftermarket timing belts generally cost less because they have a universal design. Like with many car parts, you get what you pay for. Aftermarket timing belts and chains rarely last as long as OEM ones.

Timing belts and chains are designed differently, but they function the same way. The crankshaft powers the timing belt or chain. There's a pulley or gear at the front of the engine, mounted to the crankshaft.

The timing belt (also called a cam belt) or timing chain play a big part in your engine's valve timing. A timing belt or timing chain is what synchronizes all the engine's operations. It creates the timing intervals the engine runs from. Most modern gasoline and diesel-powered engines use a timing belt or a timing chain to accomplish this.

Timing belt warning signs

We want to take the stress out of getting your vehicle serviced. We’ll never talk down to you or pressure you, but we will be completely thorough honest about what your car does need - specifically noting anything that could be a safety issue.

Chances are when you start hearing a loud noise from under the hood of your car as you’re driving, you automatically think it’s an exhaust leak or your car is going to break at any moment. But have you thought about the possibility of a broken — or nearly broken — wheel bearing causing that noise?

In contrast, timing chains are much stronger and more durable than timing belts. Timing chains typically last the life of the engine. The main disadvantage of timing chains is that they cost more to manufacture.

Vehicle Pulling to One Side While Driving. Are you doing the steering, or is the car driving where it wants to? When a wheel bearing corrodes or becomes pitted, the smooth exterior lining is gone and the vibration is transmitted to the tires which may feel like it is “pulling” to one side or the other. As the bearing on one side deteriorates, it puts more pressure on the opposite bearing, leading to uneven wear and increased friction. This uneven wear generates heat, which further accelerates the degradation of the bearing. As a result, the affected wheel may start to wobble or vibrate, robbing the vehicle of its stability and smooth handling, especially when cornering or driving at higher speeds.

Each design its own advantages and disadvantages. Many older Toyota models have timing belts. All newer Toyota models have timing chains. Toyota did away with timing belts for several good reasons.

Car Feels Loose. Does your car feel loose? When you hear professional drivers talk about a “loose” car, you may not know what that means. It often refers to the steering of the vehicle, which can include wheel bearings. Wheel looseness, or also called wheel play, is another common symptom of a bad wheel bearing. As the bearing begins to wear down, they become loose inside the wheel hub and spindle, which makes your vehicle feel loose while steering.

Chain cambeltreplacement cost

A: Typically, wheel bearings last between 85,000 to 100,000 miles, but this can vary based on driving conditions and maintenance.

OEM timing belts and chains tend to be more expensive than aftermarket ones, but not always. You can find pretty great deals online. For instance, we carry genuine OEM Toyota parts, including timing belts and chains, at deeply discounted parts. Check out our inventory of OEM Toyota timing belts and chains here!

You can rely on our promise of honesty and competence when we service your vehicle. Our customers know that they will get a fair price for services provided.