How long wheel bearings last

Every smart driver knows there are dues to be paid for the smooth ride. That durability in cold weather or the great performance on the summer family vacation is a result of a good maintenance program that keeps the car moving as it should. An automobile is going to give out very firm clues of when there are problems.

These warning signs , no matter how minor they may appear, need to be taken very seriously. The wheel bearings of your car will tell you long before a major breakdown that there are some problems that have to be taken care of as soon as possible. If you wonder what the wheel bearings are the answer is simple, and tells you how important they are.

They keep the wheels on the automobile. That gives you a fairly good idea of the damage that can happen if the wheel bearings go bad. These are very durable parts to the automobile and the intention is that they should have a lifespan of , miles or more.

Thanks to the wheel bearings, the wheels can rotate freely and not create a lot of friction needless to say, a car going 60 mph could generate enough friction to set the chassis on fire. They also support the weight of an automobile that could weigh close to 2 tons or more. When the wheel bearings are in great condition there are no problems.

Most wheel bearings are factory sealed and cannot be serviced, but replaced instead. If you hear or feel the noise, we recommend getting your wheel bearings looked at right away if you can. Simply put, a wheel bearing is a part that attaches the wheel to the axle. It is made from hardened steel that can withstand several months or years of use depending on certain conditions. The wheel bearing fits inside the center of the wheel which has a hollow piece of metal called a hub.

It then rides on a metal axle shaft and allows the wheel to rotate smoothly while reducing friction as the wheel spins. They are in constant use when accelerating, braking, or turning which is why they need to be in perfect working condition at all times.

To determine how long do wheel bearings last is tough as we mentioned before other factors can play a huge part in determining their durability. However, a wheel bearing can last an average of anywhere from , to , km which is about 85, to , miles. Keep in mind that the quality of a wheel bearing and vehicle operation also determines a wheel bearing lifespan. Note that sometimes a worn-out brake pad can make the same chirping noise as a worn wheel bearing so check to make sure it is not your brake pad that is bad.

On the other hand, noises coming from your vehicle can be from a problematic lifter or catalytic converter rattle. If you are dealing with a noisy lifter or catalytic converter, here is the link on how to fix a lifter tick and a catalytic converter rattle issue to help you out. As with all car parts, wheel bearings, though a low maintenance part, will fail from time to time. If you reuse bolts, nuts, pins, seals instead of replacing them with new ones, they can cause your wheel bearing to behave abnormally.

On the other hand, if you used a hammer or impact wrench to hit anything in or around the outside of the wheel, this can also cause the wheel bearing to fail prematurely. These will greatly increase the chances of your wheel bearing failing when you need it most and putting you at risk.

Impact damage from driving through roads that consist of many potholes can cut short the life of any wheel bearing. For these reasons, you want to make sure you have a wheel bearing made from the highest quality materials that can withstand all the strain it is constantly placed upon it.

They are sealed to keep in the high-temperature grease that wheel bearings need to function. Driving through deep water or mud and other contaminants such as road salt can still get past the seals which in turn damages the wheel bearings. There may come a time where you want to modify your vehicle and want tires with lower thread walls, bigger or wider rims, stiffer shock absorbers, and suspension springs. While these may give your vehicle a better appearance or feel, it puts excess pressure on the wheel bearing.

Other causes include overheating due to excess friction, insufficient lubricant, imbalance tires, etc. There are several types of wheel bearings that can go on the wheels of your car. Some brands of bearings are unsealed and can be taken out, cleaned and repacked in grease. If the wheel bearing on your car is sealed, then you will not be able to add grease to it.

Since the wheel bearings are so important to the overall functionality of a car, this is why it is important to have them repaired or replaced as quickly as possible if you think they need to be replaced.