It’s likely that if you buy a vehicle, crossover, or truck long enough, you’ll need to replace one or more wheel bearings; thus, knowing how much it costs to replace a wheel bearing will prove very helpful.
Contrary to oil changes, tire rotations, and brake pad and rotor replacements, the majority of car owners are unsure of the cost of replacing a wheel bearing. Car Talk’s experts can offer assistance. Wheel bearings endure a lot. The wheel bearings at your car’s four corners support the majority of its weight. When these bearings start to degrade, a buzzing sound can be heard.
At high speeds and with a modest side-to-side wheel turn, it is easiest to hear. The humming or grinding sound that occurs when a rear wheel bearing fails is typically consistent. Well, in this article we’ll be discussing how much it costs to replace a wheel bearing. We’ll also explore the symptoms of a bad wheel bearing and how often a wheel bearing needs replacement.
Let’s begin!
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How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Wheel Bearing
A general breakdown of the price to replace a worn-out wheel bearing can be found below.
1. Front-wheel bearings – Hub style
Complete unit:
These days, a complete-unit hub bearing is used in the vast majority of cars. Since hub bearings typically cost between $80.00 and $300.00, the cost of the bearing represents the majority of the overall cost in this case.
ABS sensors are integrated into many of these. A replacement bearing is screwed on after these bearings are removed from the steering knuckle. Expect to pay between $80 and $200 for 1-2 hours of labor to replace each side.
Pressed-out unit
These parts, which include the sealed roller bearing you can see on the back of the entire unit, are commonly found in German and Japanese automobiles. In these circumstances, it is frequently necessary to remove the entire steering knuckle from the car, press out the old bearing, and press the new one in.
While the cost of the bearing significantly decreases (generally these cost between $25 and $50), the work required to replace the bearing increases, typically by 2-4 hours ($160 to $400).
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2. Front-wheel bearing – Traditional roller
2WD: Two-wheel drive
When the rotors are removed for brake maintenance on older 2WD vehicles, traditional cone or roller bearings are frequently repaired. These bearings are less expensive to acquire, can be changed simply, and typically cost $6 to $20 per unit.
Servicing them often costs $80 to $100, plus the cost of replacing the rotor because the bearing race is pressed in. Most vehicles will cost roughly $150.00 to replace, including labor, and may cost more depending on the cost of the rotor. In many instances, replacing the rotor is less expensive than removing the old bearing race and pressing in a new one.
4WD: four-wheel drive
These cars continued to use cone-style or hub systems that house roller bearings until relatively recently. While the actual bearings are frequently as inexpensive as those in 2WD cars, taking them out and disassembling the hub is frequently a little more time-consuming.
Expect to pay $80–$160.00 for 1–1.5 hours of labor on each side, plus the cost of new bearings. Remember that if the race has hub damage, it will need to be squeezed out and a new race pressed in, which will take longer.
3. Rear-wheel bearing
Solid rear drive axle
The rear wheel bearings are located inside the solid axle and are typically pushed into the axle tube or onto the drive axle itself in the majority of modern vans, lorries, and older RWD cars. In any situation, the cost of the bearing is typically between $25 and $50, whereas the time it takes to remove the old bearing and push in the new one is between one and four hours.
Typical units
The full hub bearing or pressed-on units used for rear wheel bearings today are often the same as those used for front wheels. Here, a whole unit is typically employed and unbolted/fastened to the independent rear axle or rear transaxle (2WD cars).
These are all but estimates. However, they give you a good idea of what you may expect to pay. Wheel bearings, fortunately, endure a very long period, so you won’t need to replace them very regularly.
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What Are The Symptoms Of a Bad Wheel Bearing?
Portrait of a mechanic replacing a wheel Your car will alert you when a wheel bearing needs to be replaced. Keep an eye out for and pay attention to the following signs:
Humming Sound
Noisy wheel bearings are the most easily recognized and prevalent symptom. It can be confusing, though. For instance, other problems like tires and the CV joint may be the cause of a humming noise.
Growling or Squealing
Wheel bearings that are worn out often make screaming and/or snarling noises. As the speed of the car increases, the sound gets louder. Make an effort to locate the noise, as this will indicate where the worn-out bearings are.
Tire Wear Unevenly
Wheel bearing wear may be indicated if one tire wears out more quickly than the others. It might also indicate that the tires are misaligned, the vehicle’s suspension parts are worn out or broken, or the tire is incorrectly inflated (i.e., either too much or too little air pressure).
Car Pulls Over to One Side
When applying brakes, a car may pull to the left or right due to worn bearings. The direction in which the vehicle pulls indicates either the left or right side of the vehicle, depending on which bearings are worn. This, however, may potentially indicate issues with the braking calipers or rotors.
Vibrating Steering Wheel
The steering wheel vibrating may be the result of faulty wheel bearings. As the car accelerates and makes left or right turns, the intensity rises as well. Nonetheless, an out-of-round tire (which can have a flat patch) or an unbalanced tire could be the cause of the vibration. Worn-out or damaged suspension parts are another factor.
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Loose steering
Worn bearings may be the source of the issue if there is excessive play in the steering, which makes the steering appear less accurate or responsive than usual. This can also indicate that the wheels of the car need to be aligned. Visit a dealer service or vehicle repair shop if you see any of the above-mentioned indicators.
A Clicking Noise
There can be an issue with the wheel hub assembly if you hear a clicking sound that gets louder when the car speeds up.
ABS Malfunction
In the event that the wheel, tire, or ring wobbles or sways, the wheel’s speed sensor malfunctions, or the ABS operates intermittently or not at all, the anti-lock warning light may illuminate. For repairs, consult a specialist.
Wheel Swaying
By raising the car and manually examining the wheels, technicians can detect wheel sway. Normally, shaking the wheel and tire would be impossible. If it moves, though, the hub assembly has to be fixed right away. If you don’t repair your vehicle, the tire and wheel could literally come off at any time and at any speed.
How Often Do Wheel Bearings Need Replacement?
Because it’s typical for individuals to be unaware that wheel bearings are part of a brake service, wheel bearings are one of the pieces of your car that many people don’t give much thought to.
The majority of people advise inspecting your bearings each time your brakes are serviced. This can involve adjusting the bearings to help prevent uneven wear, examining the lubrication, and searching for early warning signals that the bearings are beginning to wear out. Every 25,000 to 30,000 miles, such maintenance will normally be performed.
If your wheel bearings or wheel hub are sealed, you should replace them every 85,000 to 100,000 miles to avoid maintenance but also to extend the life of the bearings a little. In addition to how many miles you’ve driven, the replacement schedule for other wheel hubs and bearings is a little more unpredictable and is based on the type of driving you perform.
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FAQs
Can I drive with a failing wheel bearing?
No. Driving with one of your bearings worn out can actually be extremely risky, especially if the wheel suddenly stops. A damaged wheel bearing also exerts a lot of strain on the transmission’s actual mechanism, the CV joint, and the hub.
Is the wheel bearing expensive to fix?
The brand and model, the labor cost at the shop, and the cost of parts are a few of the variables. The national average for replacing one wheel’s wheel bearings is roughly $350.
What are the signs of a bad wheel bearing?
- Buzzing Sound
- Growling and squealing.
- A clicking noise.
- Wheel sways.
- ABS lapse.
- Tire wear that is uneven.
- The car moves to one side.
- The vibration of the steering wheel.
What will happen if the wheel bearing fails?
If your wheel bearing breaks, the wheel may stop while you are driving or perhaps come off entirely.
Do wheel bearings affect brakes?
Wheel bearings maintain the alignment of the brake rotors. The rotor will sway on its axis if a wheel bearing is damaged or loose. The rotor is forced into the caliper piston’s bore by this wobble (see Image 2). The piston now travels further than usual to apply the brakes when you press the brake pedal.
Can I drive with a noisy wheel bearing?
A wheel bearing will begin to produce noise as it begins to wear. Driving is not advised if a wheel bearing is worn since it is crucial to keep the wheel attached to the car.
How long does the wheel bearing last?
Wheel bearings can wear out and break even though they are designed to last the whole lifetime of your car. Wheel bearings typically need to be replaced after 85,000 to 100,000 kilometers. Wheel bearings can last a long time in some cars, but they can also wear out very fast in other cars.
Does a bad wheel bearing affect speed?
Since your tires spin on your wheel bearings, as they wear down, they can cause you to accelerate more slowly. Wheel bearings can start to perform worse and stop allowing your car to accelerate freely due to inadequate lubrication or rust.
What are the four symptoms of a defective wheel bearing?
excessive play or looseness in the steering wheel (vague steering); steering wheel vibration that varies with the speed or direction of the vehicle; and broken ABS. Failure of the integrated ABS sensor in the wheel end bearing may be the cause of ABS system troubles.