How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Wheel Bearing?
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Vehicular noise and road noise are a common part of driving. Starting your vehicle brings with it a plethora of noises that you may or may not be familiar with, and so does driving. So let’s say that when you’re driving you start to hear a heavy grinding but only while in motion. That could be the sound of a wheel bearing telling you it’s time to be repaired, or replaced.
Let’s check out how a wheel bearing works and why it’s important, and then move on to what it could cost you to get that bad bearing fixed.
What’s a Wheel Bearing Do?
Wheel bearings are the component that allow the other parts of your wheels to work smoothly. The wheel bearings are a series of steel balls encased in the hub assembly of your wheel. They are packed with grease, and as your wheel spins they move inside a race, the metal ring that holds them in place. It’s a closed system, keeping the lubricant inside and the elements out.
Think about it like a skateboard bearing, if you’re familiar, but on a much larger and more complex scale. The wheel bearing is at the center of the wheel hub, and it allows for the wheel to move smoothly. Without it, your wheels wouldn’t spin efficiently, or spin at all, really.
When wheel bearings start to go bad it’s imperative to get them checked out and repaired or replaced quickly. Let’s check out a few ways to know if your wheel bearings need some attention.
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How to Identify a Bad Wheel Bearing
There are a handful of ways to identify a bad wheel bearing, having mainly to do with sound and feeling. Understanding what your vehicle sounds like and feels like under normal conditions is immensely helpful here, as a bad wheel bearing will cause your vehicle to act very differently from what you’re used to.
Sounds
In most cases, a bad wheel bearing will “tell” you that it’s going bad. They tend to grind, making a loud groaning sound. This is a result of the steel balls making contact with the race due to a lack of lubrication. Unlike engine components that require lubrication, wheel bearings are packed with a grease that is not replenished automatically. In other words, it’s got all the grease it’ll have until someone gives it more.
Additionally, should the bearing be damaged and the internals exposed, debris from the road can make its way inside. This will also cause that grinding and grating that you’ll be able to hear.
Driving Feel
Driving feel can mean a number of things, but in terms of a bad wheel bearing, it will lend itself to a few specifically. The first of these feelings that you’ll find is vibration. When a wheel bearing begins to go bad you’ll feel it in one or two places, either vibrating through the steering column and into your hands, and/or in the entire vehicle itself. This vibration is a pretty good indicator that a wheel bearing may be starting to go bad.
The other kind of feeling you’ll get from a bad wheel bearing is pulling. The vehicle may be traveling in a straight line, but through the steering wheel you’ll feel it trying to drift to one side or the other.
Now, you may be thinking this is an alignment issue, and it could be. One way to tell the difference between the two is the consistency. When a wheel bearing causes pulling, it may only cause it to happen randomly, then things will sort themselves out again. An alignment pull will be continuous.
Wear and Tear
Another sign that your wheel bearing is going bad is wear on your tires. Often, tires can wear unevenly due to alignment issues, but in the case of a bad wheel bearing you’ll most often find that the wear on one tire is worse than the others. This is the bad wheel in the bunch. This uneven wear is noticeable, and will persist on the wheel with the bad bearing as you rotate your tires.
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Repairing Your Wheel Bearing
So, if you’ve made it to this point, you’re probably wondering how much it costs to fix that bad wheel bearing of yours. As with all car repairs, the cost can vary greatly by make and model, but according to Repair Pal, the cost of getting your wheel bearing repaired is typically between $326 and $367.
RepairPal estimates that in terms of labor you’ll be paying anywhere from $157 to $198 in labor, while the average price for the parts themselves are $169. That being said, being able to do the wheel bearing replacement yourself is a nice little penny saver, if you’ve got the right tools. It’s also important to keep in mind that Repair Pal’s estimate is quoting the costs for doing both the left and the right side of whatever axle the bad wheel bearing is on.
Should You Replace Both at the Same Time?
Well, as a general rule of thumb, yes. When you’ve identified that one wheel bearing has gone bad, then it’s likely the problem has affected the other side of the vehicle. When a part goes bad on one side of the vehicle, the other side of the vehicle tends to compensate, affecting its overall performance, as well.
Now, you may never have to replace a wheel bearing, as they’re typically pretty hardy. However, if you do, there’s a chance that the wheel bearing opposite the bad one has suffered through the same experiences that the bad one has. Keeping that in mind, it’s safe to say that it’s nearing the end of its life, as well.
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Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open
When it comes to bad wheel bearings, they’re easiest to identify by listening to your vehicle, as well as paying attention to how it’s handling. With these two simple things, paired with the knowledge provided here, you’ll be ready to diagnose a bad wheel bearing and pay the right price to get it taken care of.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wheel Bearings
Q: What is a wheel bearing and why is it important?
A: A wheel bearing is a crucial component that allows the wheel to rotate smoothly. It can be a ball bearing, roller bearing, or hub bearing, and it’s typically housed within the wheel hub assembly.
Q: How can I tell if my wheel bearing needs repair?
A: Common signs include grinding or roaring noises from the wheel area, a feeling of looseness in steering, or uneven tire wear. If the issue lies with the steering knuckle or hub assembly, you might also notice steering problems.
Q: What’s the difference between a hub bearing and a ball bearing?
A: A hub bearing is a pre-packed unit with both the hub and bearing together, often used in modern vehicles. In contrast, a ball bearing is a type of bearing that uses balls to maintain the separation between bearing races.
Q: Is it more expensive to replace the entire wheel hub assembly?
A: Often, yes. The wheel hub assembly includes the hub bearing and other components. Replacing the entire assembly can be costlier than just the bearing, but it might be a more comprehensive solution, especially if other parts are worn out.
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