The top signs your car's wheel bearings are going bad include strange noises coming from the wheel, a looseness or wobble in the steering, a steering wheel vibration, and issues with your car's ABS sensors.
One of the most important things to do as a car owner is to be aware when your vehicle is not performing as well as it usually does.
Keeping your eyes and ears open for any changes in behavior is your best defense against expensive repairs or dangerous incidents on the road. With a good understanding of some of the signs that your wheel bearings are going bad, you can protect yourself and other drivers as well as your vehicle.
Noises are generally going to be the first thing you notice when your wheel bearings start to fail. These noises come in many forms but a few tell-tale signs can help you identify the cause. For example, a low rumble when you turn the wheel is an incredibly common sign of a failing wheel bearing.
You may also notice a consistent hum coming from the wheels when you are accelerating, especially on the freeway. Pay careful attention when you are driving on bumpy roads and listen for any clunking sounds as you go over bumps. If you notice one or more of these noises, it is a good idea to have your vehicle looked at by a professional.
A failing wheel bearing can affect the steering knuckle, which attaches to the rest of the suspension. Your steering should always feel tight and responsive when you turn the wheel.
If you are noticing that the steering is feeling progressively worse or seems to be getting loose, you may want to have your wheel bearings looked at. This is a sign that something in the wheel assembly has started to fail and even if it does not end up being a wheel bearing issue, it should be repaired as soon as possible.
A little bit of vibration in the steering wheel when you are driving is normal. However, excess vibration, especially when turning, is a sure sign that you have an issue with your wheel bearings.
Worn-out bearings can cause friction in the steering coupling as you turn and you will notice that the wheel vibrates or shakes when you turn it. This, combined with any new noises, should be investigated right away to find out if you have to replace a front wheel bearing.
One of the ways you can find out if you need to replace a wheel bearing is to find out if your ABS sensor is throwing any codes in the car’s computer. While the wheel bearing and hub assembly aren’t specifically part of the braking system, if they wear out they can cause the wheel to shift around on its axis.
This will usually register as an issue with the ABS sensor. If you are noticing any of the above issues with your vehicle, get your vehicle’s computer read and see if there are any anti-lock braking system codes that have been stored. This will tell you if the time has come to get a wheel bearing replacement.
The wheel bearings in your vehicle are some of the most important components in the automotive world. They connect the wheel and axle and allow the wheel to spin smoothly with as little friction as possible.
The component has a set of ball bearings that are all held together in a steel ring attached to the wheel hub assembly itself. If this component starts to go bad or seize up, you could end up with serious issues, especially if you are on the road when it happens. This is why it is so essential to know what condition the bearings in your car are in and to act quickly when you notice a problem.
As a car owner, making sure your vehicle is in good condition is one of the biggest responsibilities. Not only will staying on top of your car’s maintenance and service help keep it running for longer, but it will also keep you and other drivers on the road as safe as possible.
Certain auto parts, like the front-wheel bearings and rear-wheel bearings, are even more important to maintain and protect than others. Since they allow the wheel to rotate, they need to be in good working order at all times.
Sometimes, the wheel bearings in your car will start to wear out or deteriorate. Whether this is through age or rough conditions on the road, it is important to know when it is happening and what you can do about it. Staying on top of the condition of your wheel bearings will keep your vehicle running smoothly and prevent serious issues that can cause an accident on the road.
The amount of time that your vehicle’s wheel bearings will last will change from car to car and will depend on factors like whether or not you have AWD, what kind of operating conditions you put your vehicle through, and what the weather is like where you live.
However, a good rule of thumb to go by is that your bearings will last somewhere between 85,000 and 100,000 miles. The quality of the bearings and whether they are aftermarket or OEM will play a big part in this length of time, though, so your actual experience may vary. Paying attention to the operation of your vehicle and how it feels will help you know when the time has come to replace the bearings.
No matter what kind of vehicle you are driving, it is not safe to drive with bad wheel bearings. As soon as the bearings start to wear out or fail, you could end up with issues that can cause an accident or at the very least severely damage your car. Whether you are driving a Nissan Altima or a Chevy Silverado, the first sign of an issue means you should immediately go to the shop to have new wheel bearings put in the vehicle.
Failed wheel bearings are a serious issue and can be a safety hazard if they are left too long. Unlike some car problems that aren’t as pressing, such as a check engine light or uneven tire wear, bad wheel bearings need to be assessed and repaired right away. Knowing what happens when they fail can help you understand why it is so important to act at the first sign of an issue.
One of the most serious results of a failed wheel bearing is a loss of control over the vehicle. Because the bearings attach the wheel to the axle and allow it to spin freely, a failure could cause a wheel to move slower than others very suddenly or throw off the steering balance of the car. If this happens at speed or on the freeway, it could very easily cause an accident. A loss of lubrication in the roller bearings or a detachment needs to be fixed right away if you want to avoid disaster.
Because of where the wheel bearings are located, they could potentially lower the effectiveness of your brakes. If they come loose or are moving around on the axle, they can interfere with the brake rotor, which may make it difficult to stop the car. If your brakes are feeling spongy or you need to press on the pedal for a long time before the vehicle stops, it is a good idea to take your vehicle to the shop as soon as possible to have the bearings replaced or repaired.
The most disastrous result of bad wheel bearings is a detached or seized wheel. This can happen incredibly quickly and very suddenly, which can be a big danger when you are out on the road. A wheel could seize up while you are moving at a high speed or it could detach completely. Either way, this is almost certainly going to result in a catastrophic accident, which is why it is so important to stay on top of the condition of your wheel bearings.
Wheel bearings will eventually wear out no matter what kind of driving you do or what kinds of conditions they are exposed to. However, the wheel bearing and hub assembly is located incredibly close to the ground, which means it is susceptible to damage from road debris, water, and other contaminants. Knowing some of the most common reasons why wheel bearings go bad prematurely will help you avoid them.
Driving through deep water can damage the wheel bearing assembly and cause issues with the lubrication of the ball bearings. Plus, if you drive through deep water and that water never properly drains, it could cause rust and deterioration in the bearing assembly. Whenever possible, avoid driving through large puddles or bodies of water and always know how deep the water is before you drive through it.
Driving in poor road conditions and on rough roads can rattle the wheel bearing assembly around and put undue amounts of stress on it. Also, hitting potholes at speed can jar the wheel bearings and cause serious damage. If you have recently hit a pothole faster than you intended, it is a good idea to keep an eye on your bearings and make sure they have not sustained any damage in the process.
It is incredibly important to make sure you are abiding by the payload limits laid out in your owner’s manual. Putting too much weight on your vehicle can strain the CV joint, which can in turn damage the wheel bearings. If you have a full-size truck like a GMC Sierra or Ford F-150, it is very important to know what the maximum payload is so you don’t end up overloading the bed and damaging the rear bearings.
The weight on your tires needs to be balanced throughout the car and if you have too much weight on one tire, you could end up with all kinds of issues. Specifically, unbalanced tires can create extra strain on one of your wheel bearing assemblies, which will cause it to wear out faster than it would otherwise. Getting your tires balanced and rotated on a regular basis will help extend the life of your wheel bearings and prevent uneven wear on the tires, both of which can save you a lot of money over the years.
It is entirely possible to damage your wheel bearings by not installing them correctly. Unless you are incredibly well-versed in automobile repair, replacing your wheel bearings is not a DIY job you should be taking on. Having a professional install your bearings will give you peace of mind on the road and ensure that they last as long as possible.
Wheel bearing replacement costs will vary from vehicle to vehicle and they all have their own sets of procedures that have to be gone through. Things like the accessibility of the bearing assembly and the amount of work it takes to get the assembly off the wheel itself will all determine the overall cost of the repair. However, no matter how much it costs, it is important to remember that a bad bearing is a safety issue and needs to be addressed as soon as the problem arises.
Different makes and models will have different costs associated with a wheel bearing replacement. According to RepairPal, replacing a wheel bearing on a Honda Pilot will cost somewhere between $270 and $367. For a Toyota Tacoma, this job will cost between $507 and $641. A Jeep Wrangler will require between $490 and $582 for a new wheel bearing. While the parts are all around the same price for each vehicle, the labor costs are what vary the most. Generally, the simpler your vehicle is and the less work the mechanic has to do to replace the bearing, the cheaper it will be.
Your vehicle’s wheel bearings are some of its most crucial components and if something goes wrong with them, it is important to act quickly. Getting your bearings repaired right away is the best way to prevent a serious accident or incredibly expensive damage to your car or someone else’s. Knowing how to tell if you need new wheel bearings will help you recognize the signs and get your car to a shop right away.
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