North Myrtle Beach drivers may hear strange sounds coming from their wheels if their wheel bearings are worn out.
How long do wheel bearings last? A wheel bearing has an average lifespan of 85,000 to 100,000 miles, but how and where you drive will affect its actual lifespan.
What Are Wheel Bearings?
The wheel bearings on your car, truck, or SUV are an important component. In one-piece hub assemblies, the wheel bearings are located between the drive axle and the brake discs or drums.
A mounting flange and ABS wheel speed sensor are also incorporated into this hub. Inside each wheel hub, there is a grease-filled, waterproof, sealed metal ring called a race that contains the bearings.
A wheel bearing allows the wheel to spin and supports the vehicle’s weight. Keeping track of routine maintenance and knowing wheel bearing life can save you from costly future repairs.
What causes wheel bearings to go bad?
There are several reasons why a wheel bearing fails:
- Quality: Wheel bearings come in different quality levels, so choosing the right one is essential. Having a long life expectancy requires bearings made of high quality materials that can withstand the heat without breaking down. Bearings have a stressed life and need to be made of materials that can withstand the heat without being destroyed.
- Installation: When the wrong tools are used, or when the tools are used incorrectly, they can damage the bearing, resulting in premature performance degradation and bearing lifespan shortening.
- Driving conditions: Bearings must be greased properly, anything that changes this will result in premature wear. It is possible for water to penetrate the bearing if the wheel is driven underwater for too long. Salt (road salt or marine salt, if the car is located near a beach), sand, mud, or dust can penetrate the seal and enter the bearing rolling balls. If this happens, the bearing will have a very short lifespan due to the contamination.
- Road conditions: Wheel bearings can be damaged due to strong impacts resulting from bumpy roads, potholes passed at high speeds, and also from lateral impacts, so hit the curb gently.
- Car setup: The manufacturer’s specifications are modified if you change the suspension of the car, install larger rims, or install tires with lower wall threads. Originally, the manufacturer calculated the wheel bearings’ needs based on their specifications, but if they have been altered, they may no longer be appropriate and wear out more rapidly. We recommend adhering to the car manufacturer’s specifications for wheel dimensions and suspensions.
How to Tell When Your Car Needs a Wheel Bearing Replacement
Wheel bearing wear can be detected by the following signs:
- It is possible for the wheels to make humming, squealing, or clicking sounds
- Uneven tire wear
- Wobbling wheels
- The vehicle pulls to one side or another when braking
- Excessive play in the steering wheel
- Vibrations in the steering wheel
How long do wheel bearings last? Wheel bearings have an average life of 85,000-100,000 miles, as mentioned previously. If you hit a curb, speed bump, or pothole while driving at high speeds, that lifespan may be shortened. You can also reduce the life of your wheel bearings by exposing them to water, mud, road salt, or sand. The CV joint and automatic transmission can be negatively affected by worn-out wheel bearings, so it is crucial to replace them as soon as possible.
How long does wheel bearings last?
How can I make my wheel bearings last longer?
Wheel bearings can be maintained in a number of ways. The following recommendations will help you extend the life of your wheel bearings.
Having a relaxed driving style is the best thing you can do for them. Trying to drive fast on bumpy roads (for example) will cause your car’s wheel bearings to wear out faster.
Furthermore, how your wheel bearings were installed will affect how well your car performs. Overtightening the bolts will very likely damage the bearing, reducing the bearing’s lifespan.
In addition, there are special tools for removing and replacing wheel bearings in cars. They can also be damaged if they are not used correctly or if they are used incorrectly. Therefore, we recommend relying on professionals at all times.
How to change a wheel bearing?
We first need to understand that there are two main types of wheel bearings: old-generation bearings and new-generation bearings, so we can understand the process of replacing a wheel bearing. Although old ones are a bit more difficult to mount, technology is always able to solve these kinds of problems. It is much easier to install the new generation of SKF wheel bearing kits on a car in this case.
There are very few people who have the guts to disassemble and work on their cars. Additionally, if you plan on doing that, you should have the knowledge to do so, as doing so in an incorrect way can cause us to break something else, putting our security at risk. With this in mind, we recommend hiring a professional to do the work.
What are the symptoms of bad wheel bearings
A bad wheel bearing can cause the following symptoms:
- Noise:
- A humming, rumbling or growling sound that increases with acceleration or as the vehicle turns.
- When the vehicle is in motion, there is a loud whining or grinding noise.
- When driving over uneven roads, you hear clunking noises.
- The steering wheel is loose and excessively playy (vague steering);
- The vibration of the steering wheel changes as the vehicle speeds up or turns;
- ABS malfunctioning. Failure of the integrated ABS sensor in the wheel end bearing can cause ABS system issues.
What are the risks of driving with bad wheel bearings?
When you notice the first symptoms of a wheel bearing failure, it is very rare that it fails immediately and completely.
As a result, it is best to avoid driving for any length of time with a worn wheel bearing. Your wheel bearing connects your wheel to the axle and to your steering assembly, and if this connection is weakened, it could seriously affect your car’s steering and drive-axle assemblies.
Replacing your wheel bearings
For maximum performance, durability, and safety, it is still important to use the right tools and to adhere to the specified torque values even though modern wheel bearings are easier to install than earlier generations. For this reason, it is recommended that you have your wheel bearings fitted by a professional mechanic with the necessary skills and tools.
Quality replacement parts
Choosing high quality wheel bearings is essential when replacing them. Designed, manufactured, tested, and validated to OEM standards for maximum performance and durability, MOOG offers easy-to-install, premium quality, long-lasting wheel end bearings.
Can I Drive With Bad Wheel Bearings
No. If your wheel bearing is not functioning properly, we do not recommend driving.
You can result in serious injuries or death not only to yourself, but also to other drivers.
A bad wheel bearing could cause your car to have steering issues, or your wheels could stop working while you drive.
The hub, CV joint, and transmission of your vehicle can also be strained as a result. Auto repair services may become even more expensive if you don’t repair your failing wheel bearings on time.
As a result, you will need to replace your tires more often as your tires wear out faster. Bad wheel bearings can result in a whole range of potential side effects that can be more cost-prohibitive than the original issue itself.
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FAQs
How long does a wheel bearing take to change?
In the case of broken bearings, a professional might be able to take out the old one and replace it in two to three hours, but if they are broken into pieces, more time will be needed.
Should I repair wheel bearings in pairs?
Car wheel bearings can wear out for a variety of reasons. The other car wheel bearings will probably be in a very similar state if the car been sitting for a long time, or if the bearing is old. This is a case where a full change would be beneficial.
You probably won’t need to change the wheel bearings in pairs if you drive through a large pothole fast, for example. Any other bearings that need to be changed will be identified by the professional making the change.
