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The lowly and often taken-for-granted wheel bearing hasn’t really changed much in design or function since the dawn of the automotive age save the move to incorporate them into wheel hub and bearing assemblies when front-wheel drive came onto the scene. This component is what supports the weight of the vehicle on its wheels and permits a smooth quiet ride. Here’s what wheel bearing replacement costs are like.
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What Are Wheel Bearings on a Car
Wheel bearings are tough and strong units just slightly smaller than a hockey puck. On vehicles using hub and bearing assemblies (almost all autos) they are pressed into their hubs which are bolted to the vehicle. Their big advantage is their large centre hole which permits drive axle stubs to fit through them and the lack of need for regular greasing.
Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost
For mainstream passenger rides, a quality hub and bearing assembly can range in price from $400 to $1000 with labour fees in the 1.5-3.0 hour range ($300 to $600 at $200 per hour). Light trucks can see higher prices due to beefier components.
How to Know If Your Wheel Bearings Need Replacing
The first sign of a failing wheel bearing is an almost inaudible humming or whirring noise when the vehicle is in motion at speeds above 50 km/h. You may really need a sensitive ear to pick this up as tires (especially heavily lugged snows) will often drown out the bearing hum. The easy way to tell that a wheel bearing is going is to listen to the wheel noise as you gently swerve the steering slightly when moving. The noise will be silenced when swerving to the left or right; tires themselves won’t do that, but remain noisy all the time. When you swerve from left to right, you’re loading and unloading the lateral forces on the wheel. Let a wheel bearing deteriorate far enough and you’ll notice some higher than normal play in the steering as a tight fit permits the wheel to track where you’ve pointed it. By the time the steering free-play is noticeable, the wheel bearing should be howling louder than heavy metal on the radio.
Factors That Affect Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost
Many automakers incorporate anti-lock brake wheel speed sensors into hub/bearing assemblies. This addition can drive prices up and very few applications have the option of swapping the original sensor out and onto the new hub/bearing. Corrosion can be the main cause of increased labour fees as on older rides some extreme force and heat can be required to remove the assembly once it’s unbolted. Considering that a wheel’s braking unit must be removed to access the hub/bearing, if any of those components such as brake rotors, calipers, and pads are in less than ideal condition, they may also require replacement. On trucks with solid rear axles, the bearing rides directly on the axle shaft with very tight tolerances. A total failure of these bearings can lead to the need to replace the axle shaft. In extreme cases the spindle (the unit the front hub/bearing is mounted to) may be damaged during replacement and also require replacement.
How Long Can You Drive on a Bad Wheel Bearing
Once a bearing develops a clearly audible noise, driving on it is risky. If it fails completely it can easily affect steering and braking control as well as damaging other connected parts. Left long enough a failing bearing can cause the wheel to come off.
Are Wheel Bearings Covered Under Warranty
Most automakers cover their hub/bearing assemblies only for their basic warranty terms (usually 3 years or 60,000 km), not the often longer power-train warranties. However some replacement bearing makers will offer lifetime guarantees on their products. These usually only cover the parts and not the labour fees, but these terms still represent good value. Ask about the coverage when your shop is recommending a replacement. Stay away from cheap off-shore parts and demand a quality name brand.
Frequently Asked Questions about wheel bearings
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How Often Do Wheel Bearings Need to Be Replaced
Wheel hub/bearing assemblies and axle bearings do not have a scheduled replacement or service interval as they’re designed to last the life of the vehicle.
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How to Tell Which Wheel Bearing Is Bad While Driving
Sometimes (but not always) the swerve test will tell you which bearing is failing as when you swerve to the left you’re putting more load on the right side bearing(s) and vice versa. Let your shop know which swerve direction produces the most noise.
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Do I Need to Replace Both Wheel Bearings?
Bearings do not need replacement in pairs unless they’re both failing. Sometimes a tech will replace the loudest bearing and then when that one is new and quiet, the other one’s noise will be noticeable.
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How Do You Prevent Wheel Bearings from Failing?
The number one cause of hub/bearing failures is a lateral impact that comes from sliding into curbs. Strong jolts from potholes can also shorten their lifespan. Excessive weight loads will also lead to bearing failures as these units support the entire weight of the vehicle and its loads (cargo or towing). Keep well within the load limits on your particular ride and when it’s fully loaded, drive with care.
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