Most serviceable wheel bearings need maintenance
every 25,000 to 30,000 miles
, or during every brake service. But, the average life of a sealed wheel bearing and hub assembly is about 85,000 to 100,000 miles, without the opportunity for a technician to repack the bearings.
How do you prevent wheel bearings from failing?
- Work with clean tools in clean surroundings.
- Always choose the correct grease.
- Always be sure to check the contact surface for the seal lip. …
- Never use a hammer to hit directly on the bearing.
- Do not try to set clearances on Hub units. …
- Do not try to set clearances on “set right” arrangements.
Why do my front wheel bearings keep going bad?
The main reasons that a wheel bearing fails are: …
Driving conditions
– driving through deep water or mud can cause your wheel bearings to fail. Water, mud or other contaminants such as dust or road salt could get past the seals and enter the bearing, polluting the grease and wearing away the bearings.
How often should front wheel bearings be repacked?
Most automotive manufacturers agree that wheel bearing repacking and cleaning should be completed every 30,000 miles or
once every other year
. The reason for this is that eventually grease loses a lot of its lubricity due to age and heat.
Can you drive with a bad front wheel bearing?
Q: Is it safe to drive with a bad wheel bearing? A: No. It can,
in fact, be very dangerous to drive if one of your bearings is worn out
, especially since it may cause the wheel to stop while driving. Additionally, a damaged wheel bearing puts a lot of stress on the hub, the CV joint, and the transmission itself.
How long can you drive with bad wheel bearings?
In cases where you are in an isolated spot and your wheel bearing starts to go bad, you can possibly drive for
about 1600 kilometers
. Driving to this distance may not cause significant damage to your wheels.
How much does it cost to fix wheel bearings?
The national average is
about $350
to fix the wheel bearings at one wheel. As you might imagine, however, luxury brands cost more. Please note: If the wheel bearings need replacing at one wheel, you don’t necessary need to replace the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle.
Do I need to get an alignment after replacing wheel bearings?
Anytime the steering/suspension system has been taken apart for whatever reason, its always a good idea to have alignment checked.
You shouldn’t have to have an alignment after a bearing/axle
.
How do I know if wheel bearing needs replacing?
- Humming Noise. The most easily identifiable and most common symptom of bad wheel bearings is an audible one. …
- Squealing, Growling. …
- Clicking Sound. …
- Wheel Wobble. …
- ABS Failure. …
- Uneven Tire Wear. …
- Vehicle Pulls to One Side. …
- Steering Wheel Vibration.
How long should front wheel bearings last?
How long does a wheel bearing last? Wheel bearings have an average lifespan of 136,000 to 160,000 km (
approximately 85,000 to 100,000 miles
).
Do you grease front wheel bearings?
Not only
should grease be packed into the bearing
, but some grease should be applied to the housing and on the wheel end’s inside surfaces where the bearing sits. This will help prevent corrosion. The housing should also have some grease in the cavity surrounding the bearing, but it should not be filled.
What happens if you don’t fix wheel bearings?
Ultimate damage: If you don’t replace a damaged wheel bearing before it fails completely,
the wheel will completely seize up
. If this happens while you’re driving, the results can be catastrophic.
Can you drive a car with a noisy wheel bearing?
If a wheel bearing starts to get worn, it will start to make a noise
. It is not a good idea to drive with a worn wheel bearing because it is an essential part of holding the wheel onto your vehicle. … A rumbling or humming sound is another sign of a worn wheel bearing.
What causes front wheel noise?
When looking at why the noises in the front wheel are occurring in your vehicle, you need to know the most common causes of this problem. The most common causes are
unbalanced tires
, a bad front wheel bearing, or failing brake pads that can cause your vehicle’s noises.
