Telling If You Need New Wheel Bearings: Signs and Causes

Wheel bearings are the unsung heroes quietly working behind the smooth operation of your vehicle, but they get damaged too. This article will help you identify some potential signs and causes of wheel bearing failure.

What Are Wheel Bearings？

Wheel bearing is a compact, yet critical part that enables the smooth rotation of the wheel hub assembly. In addition, wheel bearings bear your vehicle’s weight and minimize friction for maximized performance.

How Long Does Wheel Bearings Last？

The average lifespan of wheel bearings is 136,000 to 160,000 kilometers (approximately 85,000 to 100,000 miles). However, how long a wheel bearing can last depends on the quality of the wheel bearing, the operating condition, and how frequently it’s used.

How To Check For Bad Wheel Bearing？

There are two verified ways to check if your wheel bearing is bad which are; sound test and wheel wiggle test. Here’s what it means:

1. Sound Test: The grease in the bearings dries up anytime the bearings are bad. When this happens, you’ll notice strange sounds coming from the bad wheel. The reason for the noise is because the small steel parts in the small steel and the rails roll ungreased (corroded). For this reason, the bearing wear is accelerated, thus making the wheel bearing operate on high friction.
2. Wheel Wiggle Test: There are times that you’ll not hear any sound even when your wheel bearings are damaged, but you can check if your vehicle has a bad wheel bearing by:

• Use your jack stand to lift your vehicle.
• Grip the tire with your hand from either the 3 and 9 o’clock or 12 and 6 o’clock positions of the tire.
• Wiggle the tire back and forth to be sure it wiggles. If it does, it means you might have a bad wheel bearing and it might be bad suspension pieces like ball joints or tie-rod ends.

How To Tell If The Wheel Bearings Are Defective?

When your wheel bearings are defective your vehicle performance will reduce, your axle might be damaged, your steering wheel might vibration, etc. But, what are the signs to be aware of to prevent the above from happening? Read them below:

Unusual Noise: Anytime you hear a grinding or grating noise from your wheel when you want to turn, it might be a sign that your wheel bearings are worn out.

Uneven Wear: If you observe that your tires are often wearing down untimely, it might be that your wheel bearings are bad.

Vibration: A defective wheel bearing can also vibrate or shake while you are driving.

Looseness In Steering: You might notice looseness or play in your steering when you are driving at a higher speed.

ABS Light: When your wheel bearings are defective it’ll trigger the ABS warning light on the dashboard occasionally.

How To Fix Bad Wheel Bearings?

You can save your money by changing your wheel bearing by yourself. However, you have to be more cautious because bearings may be small, but they are vital. Here’s how to DIY:

1. Firstly, a flat surface is where you should pack your vehicle.
2. Use wheel chocks to secure the wheels you are not working.
3. Use jack to lift the wheel and loose the lug nuts.
4. Lose the lug nuts then remove the wheel.
5. The brake caliper  should be removed at this stage.
6. Remove the dust cover, castle nut, and cotter pin.
7. Remove the rotor.
8. Lose the hub bolts then remove the old hub.
9. Dismantle the hub assembly.
10. Remove the races and clean the knuckle.
11. Install the new races and the wheel bearings.
12. Replace all parts in reverse order.

FAQs

What can damage a wheel bearing

Several things can damage your wheel bearings. For example, driving through potholes, overspeed when driving, entering bumps or hitting the cumbersome, etc.

Can a damaged wheel bearing cause additional problems if not replaced?

Yes, damaged wheel bearings can cause additional problems like extreme heat which can make the bearings seize if not replaced. In addition, there’s a high tendency of accidents if not replaced.

Conclusion

When you can identify that it’s time to replace your wheel bearings through signs like uneven tire wear, poor handling, unusual noises, etc you will be able to address any possible issue in your wheel bearing to be sure your vehicle’s performance is optimal and enjoyable.