What Is a Wheel Bearing?

A wheel bearing is an essential part of a car that allows the vehicle’s wheels to turn. The part consists of a metal ring that houses a series of metal balls that are lubricated and able to spin around inside the metal ring. This movement enables better rotation of wheels. 

The wheel bearing is attached to a larger car part known as the wheel hub, which is mounted to both the axle and the wheel. The axel is connected to the engine, and rotates as a result of acceleration. When the axle rotates, it spins the wheel hub. The wheel bearing acts as a bridge between the axle and the wheel hub, and helps reduce the friction created on the wheel components when the car is in motion. 

Without wheel bearings, it would be harder for the car to move forward, placing greater forces on the drive parts and requiring more energy to generate movement. They are found on all cars and vehicles, and many other types of machinery. 

How Long Should Car Wheel Bearings Last?

Wheel bearings are in constant use whenever the car is moving. This means that, over time, they will get worn down. Eventually, they’ll become either damaged or inefficient and require replacing. Wheel bearings generally last between 70,000 and 150,000 miles, which means they only usually require replacement on older vehicles. 

However, as with any car part, they can be unpredictable. There’s no definite way to know when a wheel bearing will need to be replaced. Instead, you should keep an eye (and ear) out for the warning signs that a wheel bearing needs replacing. 

Signs of a Bad or Failing Wheel Bearing

The signs and symptoms of problem wheel bearings vary depending on the severity of the damage or wear. For light damage, you may notice signs like:

• Uneven tyre wear — If your wheel bearings are slightly worn in a particular area, you may find your wheel is slightly off-tilt. You probably won’t notice when driving, but the signs will be in uneven wear on areas of the tyre. 

• Light vibrations — The inside of the wheel bearing can become pitted over time, which means the steel balls inside knock against these indentations. Since they’re moving quickly, what you’ll feel is a gentle vibration. It can be subtle and hard to detect over the normal vibrations of a running engine.

However, if damage becomes worse, the signs will become more telling:

• Heavy vibrations — Increased severity of interior wheel-bearing damage amplifies the effects of vibrations to the point they’ll become much more noticeable. 

• Noises — Damage to the wheel bearings means that more friction is being created, which can result in noise. Listen out for snapping, clicking or growling noises coming from the wheels. This can sometimes sound like normal road noise, so it’s best to drive on good road surfaces when testing, to reduce other noise factors.

• Loose steering — All cars drive differently, but if you notice that your vehicle feels lighter to drive than usual, it may be to do with the wheel bearings. Changes in control, no matter how minor, should be investigated. 

• Wheel misalignment — You may find that with wheel-bearing issues, your car pulls off in one direction when you release control of the wheel. This can also be due to poor wheel balancing, but if it's more pronounced than a little tug, it’s likely to be bearings.

Finally, you have the clear-cut signs that you just cannot ignore. When wheel bearings break, the axle will not be able to spin properly and may move about erratically, causing the ride of the car to become very jagged and bumpy.

What Is the Cost of Wheel-Bearing Replacement?

Wheel bearings are inexpensive car parts. Depending on your car, you may be able to find them for under £10. If you need to replace the entire hub due to damage of the complete unit, you’ll have to pay extra. But even so, this can cost you less than £50 per wheel if you purchase them yourself.

The major cost of this car-part replacement comes from labour. Taking apart a wheel to replace the bearings is not the most technically demanding job, but it is time-consuming. Depending on the type of bearing, it can take up to two hours to repair a single wheel. 

If you have the skills to repair wheel bearings yourself, then it’s not an impossible job. If you aren't confident in your mechanical abilities, however, it’s always a good idea to trust a professional.

Click here to purchase Wheel Bearing Kits from YMF Car Parts