The braking, steering, and suspension systems of a vehicle consist of several wheel bearings. The wheel bearings are most commonly used in the front and rear wheels of the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible that a wheel bearing can get faulty with time while the other bearings maintain their good condition. Here, you individually must replace the damaged bearing only and do not need to replace all other wheel bearings. This article mainly explains the bad wheel bearings symptoms, causes, and how to replace them.
What Are Wheel Bearings?
The wheel bearings are small steel balls that are bonded together with the help of metallic rings. Due to the unique design of the wheel bearing, the wheels rotate smoothly with minimum friction.
Every wheel has a solid, hollow metallic piece in its center, known as the “hub.” The bearings are installed tightly in the hubs and run on metal axles. This reduces friction when the wheel spins.
One of the main differences between wheel bearings and engine bearings is that, unlike engine bearings, wheel bearings do not need any continuous source of lubrication. The only way to protect the wheel bearings from dust, water, or debris is to keep them tight.
Wheel bearings are the supporting point of a vehicle. Your vehicle’s weight lies on the bearings; that’s why bearings frequently bear a lot of wear and tear. Therefore, they may be damaged easily.
Symptoms of Wheel Bearings
As the wheel bearing goes bad or damaged, it produces one or more of the below-given signs:
- Grinding noise
- Uneven tire wear
- Loose steering wheel
- One side vehicle pull
- Steering wheel vibration
- Illuminated ABS warning light
- Wheel wobble
1) Grinding Noise
The humming, rumbling, or grinding noise coming from your car’s wheel is one of the clear symptoms of bad wheel bearings. This sound is due to heat produced by the absence of lubricant inside the bearing. You may feel this sound like the sound of two pieces of metal grinding together.
Commonly, this sound comes only from the wheel with a damaged bearing. You can clearly notice the grinding sound while turning or shifting your car.
2) Uneven Tire Wear
Usually, the wheel bearings get damaged or worn out in an uneven way. As the wheel bearing wears out, it may also lead to wear out of the wheel tire. This will lead the corresponding tire to have abnormal tire wear compared to the others.
Normally, all the tires of your vehicle wear out near each other, but in case of bad wheel bearing, you may face uneven tire wearing out. So always focus on other symptoms (such as unbalanced tires and bad wheel alignment) to confirm the cause of tire wear.
3) Loose Steering Wheel
The steering wheel of the car sometimes may feel loose or less responsive than normal. This loose steering can be due to bad wheel bearings. More, this can also be the reason for bad wheel alignment. So, if you observe this symptom, please visit your nearest service center.
The damaged suspension system may also be the cause of a loose or vibrating steering wheel.
Read More: How to unlock the Steering Wheel without a key?
4) One Side Vehicle Pull
When the bearing gets old, the smooth internal layer of the bearing becomes rough and results in vibrations during the movement of the wheel. Because of this vibration, your car may be pulled towards one side of the damaged bearing.
With the application of the brakes, you will observe a one-sided pull in your car. This one-sided pull is a clear symptom of damaged brake calipers or rotors. But still, the main reason for the whole scenario can be the bad wheel bearings.
5) Steering Wheel Vibration
A vibration in the steering wheel is one of the clear signs of bad wheel bearings. The intensity of this vibration can increase with the high speed or turning your car at any position.
But the vibration on the steering wheel can be due to several reasons like tire balancing issues, round tire, or a damaged suspension system of your car.
6) ABS Light Illumination
With any issue in the ring or the wheel, the speed sensor of the wheel can get faulty. As a result, the anti-lock system light may shine. After all this, the ABS of your car will not work properly. In such a condition, you should immediately contact a professional mechanic.
Read More: Causes of ABS Light Illumination
7) Wheel Wobble
Wheel wobble can be checked by lifting the vehicle and observing the wheel’s movement. If you feel any instability or vibrations in the wheel, you must check the hub assembly immediately.
If you prolong this issue, the tire or the wheel will come off and create dangerous situations with huge consequences.
Causes of Wheel Bearing Malfunction
The following are the major causes of bad wheel bearings:
- Wheel Bearing Quality
- Driving Conditions
- Contamination and corrosion
- Poor installation
- Imbalanced tires
- Uneven roads
- Poor lubrication
- Accidents
1) Wheel Bearing Quality
The life of a wheel bearing depends on its quality. Wheel bearings with high quality will last longer than the regular bearings. The complex design of the bearings makes them a tricky product created with complex production procedures.
Similarly, low-quality steel is less resistant to heat and will be worn out quickly over time. Low quality can also affect the hardness and softness of the metal.
2) Driving Conditions
Regular driving through uneven surfaces like road salt, water, or mud can cause the malfunction of the wheel bearing. These contaminants can sometimes enter the bearing and mix with grease or lubricants. These polluted lubricants will hence damage the bearings.
3) Improper Installation
Poor installation is one of the major causes of the wheel bearing failure. Wheel bearings may also be damaged due to the use of the wrong tools or improper use of the right tools. Sometimes, old nuts, seals, and bolts can be the reason for bad wheel bearings and may increase the chances of accidents in the future.
4) Contamination and Corrosion
The wheel bearings of your vehicle have seals that protect them from water, dirt, and other contaminants.
When the seals become damaged, dirt or water may enter the bearings, which leads to premature wear and damage. In addition, if moisture gets inside the bearing, it may lead to corrosion and bearing failure.
5) Imbalanced Tires
Unbalanced tires are one of the main causes of bad wheel bearings. It is very important to balance the imbalanced tires of your car as soon as possible.
The ability of a bearing to bear the weight may vary from bearing to bearing. That is why some bearings can last longer than others. The damaged bearings can cause imbalanced tires, and you need a good mechanic to diagnose and fix this issue.
Read More: Causes of Unbalanced Tires
6) Uneven Roads
Frequently driving on uneven and rough roads increases the chances of bearing damage. With time, minor damage to wheel bearing will enhance that damage and fails to eliminate friction for wheels. If that’s the case, it’s time to visit the nearest repair shop.
7) Accidents
Accidents are one of the major factors that can cause intense and sudden damage to any part of your car. Due to accidents, even minor hits can cause dents in bearings and damage them. As a result, they cannot work properly and can rectify the damage with time.
Some other factors like speed bumps, potholes, and hitting curbs can also cause damage to the wheel bearings of your car.
8) Poor Lubrication
The wheel bearings of your vehicle need proper lubrication to work efficiently and lower wear. If your vehicle has very low or contaminated lubricant, your bearings may overheat and wear out more quickly.
How to Distinguish Bad Wheel Bearing Noise
1) Squealing and Growling Noises
The characteristic noises of bad wheel bearings typically include growling, squealing, and cyclical chirping sounds. These sounds are often related to wheel bearings if they change in accordance with the speed of your car. The noise may temporarily disappear at times or worsen during turns.
By paying close attention to these sounds and their relation to the vehicle’s movement, you can better identify a wheel bearing issue and take appropriate action.
2) Humming Noise
It’s crucial to accurately identify the source of various noises coming from your vehicle in order to escape misdiagnosis. Some sounds may seem similar, but they can stem from different issues. A humming noise while driving, for example, can be caused by several factors, such as your tires, wheel bearings, or CV joints.
Average Cost to Replace Front, Rear, and Hub Wheel Bearings
Replacement Cost of Front Wheel Bearings
The average cost for the replacement of only a single front wheel bearing will be from $120 to $230. The cost of the parts will be between $70 and $110, and the labor cost will be $50 to $90.
The bearing replacement cost of both front wheels can cost you from $250 to $500. The cost of front wheel bearings can cost you about $120 to $200.
Usually, the labor cost for the replacement of front wheel bearings is a little high, from $140 to $280. The cost of these bearings varies with the model of your car and locality.
Replacement Cost of Rear Bad Wheel Bearings
Replacement costs for one rear wheel bearing will be from $120 to $240. Parts will cost around $50 to $90, and $70 to $140 will be its labor cost.
The replacement cost of bearings for the rear wheels is cheaper than the front wheels. The average cost for the whole replacement process will be from $240 to $460. The cost of the parts only will be $100 to $180, and the labor cost will vary from $140 to $280.
FAQ Section
What is the average lifespan of wheel bearing?
The average service life of the wheel bearing is from 136,000 to 160,000 km. Still, this lifespan depends on your vehicle’s quality and driving conditions. If your routine drive is through rough roads, the bearings’ life can be shorter, and in the case of smooth roads, this lifespan may increase.
How to tell if wheel bearings are bad?
We have discussed several symptoms that can help you in detecting bad wheel bearings. Grinding sounds, uneven tire wear, wheel wobble, collapsed ABS, and Pulling of the vehicle at one side are the most common symptoms of bad wheel bearings.
What does a bad wheel bearing sound like?
Grinding noise from your wheel is the most common sound you will hear if your car has bad wheel bearings. Moreover, if the wheels of your vehicle are making clicking, squeaking, or humming sounds, they can also be a sign of bad wheel bearings.
Can you drive a car with wheel bearing issues?
No, driving with bad wheel bearings is not recommended. In fact, it is very dangerous to drive if one of your bearings is worn out. Additionally, a damaged wheel bearing puts a lot of stress on the hub, the CV joint, and the transmission itself.
What are the causes of bad wheel bearings?
The following are the major causes of bad wheel bearings:
- Vehicle accidents
- Wheel bearing quality
- Driving conditions
- Inadequate installation
- Imbalanced tires
- Uneven roads
How to tell which wheel bearing is bad while driving?
A faulty wheel bearing usually produces a growling or humming sound that increases with increasing speed. This sound may also vary in pitch or intensity when steering. To find a bad wheel bearing while driving at a slow speed, gently sway the vehicle from side to side. If the noise decreases when you sway to the right, the bad bearing is likely on the left wheel. Conversely, if the noise reduces when you sway to the left, a right wheel bearing is probably faulty.