wheel bearing replacement

What is a wheel bearing ?

A wheel bearing is a circle of steel ball bearings secured in a metal ring called a 'race'. This simple design helps your wheels turn with the minimum amount of friction. Wheel bearings can be found in most vehicles with wheels, including trucks and planes.

As well as being fundamental to a smooth ride, wheel bearings are a crucial safety feature as they enable the hub, tyre, and wheel assemblies to work together and allow your vehicle's load to remain balanced.

Where are a car's wheel bearings located?

At the centre of your wheels, there is a cup-shaped metal component called a wheel hub assembly. Wheel bearings rotate on the end of the axle shaft and fit snugly into the wheel hub. Located on the hub are lug bolts, which are used to hold the wheel in place. All these components work in harmony to help reduce friction as the wheel spins and allow it to rotate smoothly.

How often does a car wheel bearing need replacement?

The lifespan of a wheel bearing depends on the quality of the parts, the driver, and the driving conditions, but in general, they have a lifespan of 85,000–100,000 miles. Wheel bearings are usually made of hardened steel, so while they can withstand lots of wear and tear, too many bumps or the wrong conditions can reduce the lifespan of a wheel bearing. Heat, caused by a lack of lubrication and a buildup of stress and energy inside the wheel, will eventually damage the bearings and cause them to fail. Water or dirt penetrating inside the bearings will also cause damage and premature wear. A hard impact against a kerb can also easily damage a wheel bearing, so to dodge the cost of a replacement, drive carefully and avoid wet, muddy conditions.

What are the signs of failing wheel bearings?

Below are the top three symptoms that could indicate that your wheel bearing needs to be replaced:

• If you notice a grinding, grating, or humming noise coming from your wheel or tyre, this noise usually increases with acceleration or as the vehicle turns.

• A car that feels loose as you drive it—your steering seems less responsive or less precise than usual.

• Steering wheel vibration, which changes with speed or as your car turns.

• Extremely uneven tyre wear.

• ABS malfunctioning.

• When a wheel does not move, the bearing assembly has seized.

If you notice one of these signs, you may need to replace your wheel bearings.

Will my wheel bearings be checked during an MOT?

Your car’s front wheel bearing and rear wheel bearing will be checked by a mechanic during its MOT. Therefore, it’s important that they’re kept in good condition, and you should keep an eye out for any of the above signs that there may be issues with your wheel bearings.

What happens if you fail to replace a broken wheel bearing?

Failing to replace a faulty wheel bearing can be very dangerous. In extreme circumstances, it may cause the wheel to fall off your car or stop completely while driving. Additionally, a damaged wheel bearing puts a lot of extra stress on the hub, tyres, CV joint, and gearbox, all of which can lead to more costly repairs in the future. For this reason, it is mandatory to change your wheel bearings if you notice any signs of failure.

What causes a wheel bearing to break?

There are a number of reasons that a wheel bearing may break or fail.

• Impact damage such as mounting a kerb badly or driving over speed bumps or potholes, can damage a wheel bearing and reduce its lifespan.

• Driving through deep water or mud can also be bad news for your wheel bearings. Water, mud, or dust could get past the seals and enter the bearing, causing the bearings to wear down quickly.

• Wheel bearings made of low-quality materials are more likely to wear down quickly, leading to premature failure.

• Car modifications, such as lowering your car, fitting bigger or wider rims, stiffer shock absorbers, and suspension springs, can increase the load on the wheel bearing and accelerate wear.

Can you drive a car with a bad wheel bearing?

No, driving with a failing wheel bearing can be very dangerous. Because the wheel bearing is essential for connecting your wheel to your car, any weakness in this connection could have severe consequences for your drive axle and steering assembly, as well as for your safety.

A loose or failing wheel bearing will mean that your steering won’t be as responsive as it should be, your tyres will wear out faster, and in the worst-case scenario, your wheel could fall off completely while driving.

What happens during a wheel bearing replacement?

Our certified mechanics at one of our local, partner garages will:

• Jack the car safely and inspect the wheel with the faulty bearing.

• Remove the wheel assembly.

• Replace the faulty bearing, if necessary.

• Refit the bearing and wheel.

• Torque the wheel to the correct pressure. This is set by the car manufacturer.

• Test drive the car.

• If necessary, they will make any final adjustments.

How much does a wheel bearing replacement cost in the UK?

The price of a new automobile wheel bearing can vary depending on a number of variables, such as the vehicle's make and model, the bearing's location, and whether you buy an OEM component.

And if you book with us, how much does it cost?

At Fixter, the vehicle's wheel bearing cost ranges between £141 and £233 to replace a wheel bearing.