When you turn your car, does your automobile make a growling or grinding sound? It looks like a wheel bearing may be the issue! Wheel bearing replacement is a crucial component that ensures the smooth operation of your wheels, but it can deteriorate with time.
It is possible to replace wheel bearing, and this article will take you step-by-step through the whole process. We’ll simplify things for you so you can grasp the procedure and choose if you should take your automobile to repair or try to fix it yourself.
Maintaining your vehicle’s wheel bearings is crucial for ensuring a smooth and safe ride. Over time, these components can wear out, necessitating replacement. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or prefer the expertise of a professional car mechanic, this ultimate guide will provide you with everything you need to know about bearing replacement.
How to Determine Whether Your Bearings Need to Be Replaced?
Wheel bearings are quiet collaborators in the efficient operation of your vehicle. They do, however, eventually wear out like any other part. Here’s how to spot such issues and guarantee a fun and safe ride:
1. Keep an Ear Out for Odd Noises: A grinding, growling, or roaring sound coming from one of your wheels is a sign that your bearings are failing. Turning usually makes this sound louder.
2. The Steering Wheel Vibrates or Feels Loose: A loose or unsteady steering wheel may result from a worn-out car wheel bearing. Driving becomes less accurate and might be unsettling as a result.
3. Unequal Tire Wear: A failed wheel bearing may cause a tire that has noticeably greater tread wear than the others. This inequitable wear pattern is a warning sign that has to be taken seriously.
4. Automobile Veers to One Side: Even when you’re not rotating the wheel, your automobile may occasionally pull steadily in one direction due to a broken wheel bearing. This has to be addressed right away since it may pose a safety risk.
5. ABS Warning Light Lit: Although less often, a failed wheel bearing replacement may occasionally cause your dashboard’s ABS (anti-lock braking system) warning light to illuminate. This signal should not be ignored since a malfunctioning ABS might seriously impair your ability to brake.
Tools for the Job
Following are some of the tools you require for a wheel bearing replacement.
Jack
Jack stands
Wheel brace
Socket set
Torque wrench
Wheel bearing grease
New wheel bearings that are compatible with your vehicle
Safety goggles
Gloves
What Is the Cost of Replacing Wheel Bearings?
Wheel bearing replacement costs, on average, $350; replacing the bearings on all four wheels would come to $1400.
Type of Bearing
Cost of Bearing Unit
Cost of labor
2-Wheel Drive
$6 to $20
$80 to $100
4-Wheel Drive
$6 to $20
$80 to $160
Front Wheel Bearings (Hub Style)
Complete Unit
$80-$300
$80 to $200
Pressed-on Unit
$25 to $50
$160 to $400
Rear Wheel Bearings
Complete Unit
$80 to $300
$80 to $200
Pressed-on Unit
$25 to $50
$160 to $400
Can You Check for Wheel Bearing Damage Yourself?
Before visiting the mechanic, you may do a few simple self-checks. Here are 5 easy steps to a quick and simple DIY inspection:
Boost Your Car: Prioritize safety! Use a jack to safely elevate your automobile, set it up on jack stands for support.
Rock the Wheel: Using both hands, grasp the top and bottom of the tire and attempt to move it back and forth. A worn wheel bearing (or ball joint) may be indicated by any play or movement. Inspect the wheels on the front and back.
Inspect Ball Joints: Check for wear at the lower and upper ball joints by performing a ball joint check. An excessively stiff ball joint may indicate a problem in the wheel and bearing.
Spin for Sounds: Turn the wheel of your automobile by hand. Keep an ear out for any grinding sounds. The grinding sound indicates that a wheel bearing is about to fail.
Lower the automobile: Carefully lower your automobile back to the ground when you’ve finished inspecting.
What Is the Wheel Bearing Replacement Process?
You may need to use different replacement techniques depending on the kind of wheel hub assembly. Some may require a more involved method of repair, while others may only require changing the problematic bearing. The trickiest one of them needs the wheel hub assembly to be taken apart and placed in a press. It is therefore preferable to leave wheel bearing replacement and maintenance to the professionals.
The procedure for changing hub-style wheel bearings is as follows:
1. Maintain vehicle stability
Wheel chocks will be used by the mechanic to secure each wheel, stabilizing the vehicle.
2. Raise the car on a Jack and loosen the wheel nuts
After that, jack up and use a lug wrench to loosen the wheel nuts of the vehicle above the surface.
3. Take off the brake caliper and wheel
After that, the mechanic will remove the wheel from the axle shaft entirely by unscrewing the wheel nuts. The brake caliper and bracket will then be unbolted.
4. Disconnect the outer wheel bearing
The dust cover, cotter pin, washer, and nut are among the parts of the outer wheel hub that they will initially remove. After that, the technician will remove the circlip, a c-shaped fastener that is holding the outer bearing in place to extract it.
5. Take off the inner wheel bearing
The brake rotor will now be slid off by the mechanic, and the broken bearing will then be removed.
6. Adjust the new bearing
After lubrication with bearing lubricant, they will slip on the new bearing and fix the additional parts in place, including the brake disc, inner track, and outside track. The outer bearing will be replaced by the technician, then the dust cap, cotter pin, etc.
7. Fasten the tire and brake caliper
After reinstalling the brake caliper and rotor, they will slip the tire onto the axle shaft and use a lug wrench to secure the nuts. At last, they will lower the car to the ground and take off the wheel chocks or jack supports.
Let’s talk about some more steering wheel repairs to solve the problems you could be having next.
Conclusion
In summary, even if a faulty wheel bearing can be an annoyance, you are now equipped with the knowledge to identify the warning indicators, calculate the possible cost of repair, and even conduct a preliminary check thanks to this tutorial.
Keep in mind that repairing a wheel bearing frequently calls for certain equipment and knowledge. To secure a safe and appropriate repair and maintain your confidence while driving, seek the advice of a professional technician if your do-it-yourself inspection discovers a problematic bearing and also can take help from suspension specialists Adelaide.
