Can you drive a car with a bad wheel hub assembly?

Your car's wheels are very important as you won't be able to drive anywhere without them. Unless you are a mechanic or you are an avid car enthusiast yourself, you might not know how many parts go into a wheel. There is a tire, rotor, bearing, stator, and capacitor ring, just to name a few. The average car owner doesn't even know the purpose of parts such as wheel bearings, let alone know when they are failing!

To keep our customers educated about their car and its various parts, we will go over everything you need to know about wheel bearings and why they are important for your vehicle. Then you will be able to quickly identify wheel bearing problems in the future, or at least know when it is time to visit a mechanic.

What Are Wheel Bearings?

A wheel bearing is a set of steel balls or tapers that we call "ball bearings" or "tapered bearings." These bearings are held together by a metal ring called a "race." In the center of the wheel, there is a hollow piece of metal called a "hub," and the wheel bearings fit inside the hub to help rotate your wheels.

How Long Do Wheel Bearings Last?

Although wheel bearings are engineered to last the entire lifespan of your vehicle, they can break and get worn out. Most wheel bearings last about 85,000 to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced. Some vehicles have wheel bearings that last a lot longer, and some vehicles need them replaced fairly quickly. It all depends on the quality of your wheel bearings and your usual driving conditions.

Since your wheel bearings are located on your wheel, they need to be able to withstand harsh driving and weather conditions such as potholes, speed bumps, rain, dust, and more. All these harsh conditions can reduce their lifespan, so you should keep an eye out for the symptoms of a failing wheel bearing rather than relying on a timeline.

Signs And Symptoms Of Failing Wheel Bearings

There are many signs you should look out for if you are concerned about your wheel bearings. If you notice any of the signs listed below, you might need a wheel bearing replacement. Keep your eyes and ears alert if you suspect your wheel bearings are going bad, and let your mechanic know which signs you've noticed.

Signs of a bad wheel bearing:

• Strange Noises
  Bad wheel bearings can cause a variety of strange noises, so it's best to take note of anything you hear. As a car owner, it is your job to know what noises are normal, so you should notice noises that are out of the norm as soon as they start. Hearing humming, squealing, squeaking, growling, clicking, snapping, popping, clunking, or knocking noises is common if your wheel bearing is bad. You might hear these noises when you turn, accelerate, shift gears, and more. These noises could also be indicating a variety of other issues, so let your mechanic figure out what the problem is.
• Grinding
  If your car is grinding while you are driving it, that's not good! This can mean that there is already severe mechanical damage in your wheel's system. If you notice this while shifting gears or turning your vehicle, there is a good chance your wheel bearings are to blame.
• Vibrations
  If you feel your vehicle vibrating when you are turning or changes speed, this could be an indication that you need to replace your wheel bearings. Many car owners don't assume that the root cause of vibrations is bad wheel bearings, but it can! If you notice multiple symptoms on this list, you might need a wheel bearing replacement soon.
• Pulling While Applying Brakes
  Sometimes, a car will pull to one side while applying pressure on the brakes. This is not normal and can be a symptom that your wheel bearings are failing. Pulling to one side can also signify another issue, so be sure to talk with a mechanic.
• Uneven Brake Pad Or Rotor Wear
  Abnormal wear and tear of your tires and brake pads can have many causes. One of those causes is failing wheel bearings. If you notice uneven brake pad or rotor wearing, you should book an appointment with a technician no matter what you think the cause may be.
• ABS Failure
  Additionally, ABS failure or general issues can be a sign that your wheel bearings are bad. Anti-lock brakes are an important safety feature of your car, so you will need to get this issue resolved as soon as possible. Learn more about ABS by clicking here!

Some of these symptoms of bad wheel bearings are very serious and need immediate attention. Before hopping back on the road, make sure to get your car checked out by a qualified mechanic!

Can I Drive With Bad Wheel Bearings

No. We don't recommend driving without a properly functioning wheel bearing. Not only is it extremely dangerous for you, but you can also end up injuring or killing other drivers on the road.

If you ignore bad wheel bearings, your wheel could stop working while driving, or you could have issues steering your car.

In addition to the danger, it can put a lot of strain on other parts of your vehicle, such as the hub, CV joint, and transmission. If you don't repair your failing wheel bearings soon enough, you might have to spend even more money on auto repair services. You might also notice that your tires wear out faster, which will mean you will need to purchase new tires more often. Overall, all of these potential side effects of bad wheel bearings can end up being more expensive than the original problem.

Mobile Wheel Bearing Replacement Near You!

Looking for a mobile mechanic to replace your wheel bearings? Look no further because Wrench is here to help! We have hundreds of ASE-certified mobile technicians all over the country that have the skills to replace your wheel bearings or perform any requested auto repair or maintenance service.

Luckily for you, a wheel bearing replacement service isn't a super complicated job, especially for professional technicians. This means it won't be as expensive or time-intensive as a more severe issue. However, if you ignore this issue for too long, other parts might be affected by the bad wheel bearings, adding more repairs and costs to your final bill.

Get a free wheel bearing replacement quote from Wrench today!

How To Book A Wheel Bearing Replacement With Wrench

Log into our mobile app or website to book a wheel bearing replacement service today! You can book an appointment as a guest if you don't have an account with us just yet. Whether you have an account with us or not, we will need to gather a little information about your type of vehicle and its needs.

The first thing we will need to know is what kind of vehicle you have. You should provide us with the year, make, and model, as well as the VIN and license plate number. This information will help us properly prepare for your wheel bearing replacement and any other services you may have requested. If your car requires a specific part, we will make sure we come with the correct tools and parts to perform all of your necessary repairs and services.

Then we will need to know what auto repair or maintenance service you need. If you know your wheel bearings have gone bad, book a wheel bearing replacement appointment! If you suspect that your wheel bearings are the cause of your automotive issues, but you aren't sure, book a diagnostic appointment and our mobile technician will take a look at your car and figure out what's going on.

Once we know which services your car needs and what kind of car you have, we will calculate an auto repair quote for you. This quote will be personalized just for you, so you can know exactly what to expect. We will include everything from the cost of the parts and labor to the estimated time it will take to complete the services. After you have had the chance to look over our auto repair quote, you will pick a date, time, and location for your wheel bearing replacement appointment.

Then the rest is up to us! Our mobile technician will arrive on time and completely prepared to get your car up and running again. Go ahead and book a mobile wheel bearing replacement with Wrench today!

We are looking forward to working with you soon!

You already know your car cannot function safely without sturdy and properly fit wheels. A wheel is complex, and several components must be integrated for it to function safely—including the bearings.

If you’re driving on the highway and a wheel breaks off, it’s because a wheel bearing failed. What are the signs of a bad wheel bearing, and what can you do about it? Here, we explore wheel bearings, including what they are, how they work, and how to tell if they’re about to fall off.  

What

Is

a Wheel Bearing? 

A wheel bearing is a set of steel balls held together in a metal ring called a race. The race is located inside the hub, and each wheel has one. At the center of the wheel is a hollow piece of metal called a hub. The wheel bearings fit tightly inside this hub and ride on a metal axle shaft, helping reduce friction when the wheel spins.

Keep in mind that wheel bearings are not the same as engine bearings, as there is no constant source of lubrication for wheel bearings. This means they must be tight enough to keep water and road dust out. They also support the entire vehicle weight while driving, so they endure abuse from rough roads and potholes, as well as lateral forces when turning. 

How Long Do Wheel Bearings Last?

While most estimates suggest wheel bearings should last between 75,000 and 150,000 miles, the actual lifespan depends on:

• Quality of the bearings

• Weather conditions (e.g., rain, dust, deep water)

• Road conditions (e.g., potholes, speed bumps)

What Causes Bad Wheel Bearings? 

Besides the factors listed above, weak wheel bearings can also be caused by:

• Faulty Installation:

  The right way to install wheel bearings is in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. If they’re not properly installed, this increases the chances of an accident. 

• Unbalanced Tires:

  An unbalanced tire will inflict more strain on wheel bearings, forcing them to work harder than they should. 

• Overweight Loads:

  You can damage the wheel bearings by hauling more than a vehicle’s capacity. Wheel bearings have to support the weight of a load—so if the weight is excessive, the bearings will wear out quickly.

Bad

Wheel Bearing Symptoms

 

What are the signs of a bad wheel bearing? Here are six critical signs indicating your wheel bearing may be defective:

1. Unusual Noises:

   What does a bad wheel bearing sound like?

   If you notice a grinding or grating noise from your wheel or tire, you might have a bad wheel bearing—especially if the noise gets louder as the vehicle accelerates.  

2. Loose Steering: Looseness can be difficult to convey, but in this case, it refers to steering your car and noticing it to be less responsive or precise than usual.
3. Uneven Tire Wear:

   When a wheel bearing wears down, the effects will likely extend to your tires.

   Rotating your tires regularly

   can prevent wear, but if you have

   extremely uneven wear,

   inspect the wheel bearings

   .

4. Brake Issues:

   If your bearings are weak, you might notice inefficient braking or brake slips as you drive. When bearings become loose, the rotors push the piston further when you tap on the brakes, making them feel weak. 

5. ABS Light: If your brakes or tires receive excessive pressure because of loose wheel bearings, this can cause the ABS light to illuminate. While an ABS light may not always indicate a loose bearing, a simple code check can help identify the culprit.
6. Steering Wheel Vibrations: Besides a loose steering wheel, vibration can also indicate a bad wheel bearing. Over time, a bad wheel bearing will intensify bearing play on your wheels, especially when making turns or driving at high speeds.

How to Identify a

Bad Wheel Bearing Noise

Here are common noises that suggest bad wheel bearings:

• Humming:

  A humming noise while driving can be caused by several issues,

  but a wheel bearing or CV joint is one of the more likely (and problematic) issues.

• Squealing & Growling:

  The classic sounds of a bad wheel bearing are cyclic chirping, squealing, and growling noises. You

  can verify the

  sound is related to wheel bearings if it changes in proportion to vehicle speed. 

• Howling:

  Howling that

  solely occurs during deceleration indicates loose pinion-bearing preload.

  If howling

  happens under acceleration at different speeds, then it’s probably worn-out gears. However, worn-out bearings

  also

  make a howling noise

  when

  they don’t support the gears correctly

  .

What to Do If Your Wheel Bearing Is Bad

The best advice is to head to your nearest auto shop that offers wheel repair and replacement services. If you’re on the road, slow down steadily and avoid turning rapidly. If you drive long distances on a bad wheel bearing, you’ll eventually lose control of the vehicle, and the wheel will stop suddenly.  

If you want to know how to check for a bad wheel bearing, place your car on a jack stand, grip your hands on the 6 and 12 o’clock positions of the tire, and then spin the wheel to see if it wiggles. It’s also a great way to learn how to tell which wheel bearing is bad. 

Regardless of which bearing is the culprit, avoid being on the road for too long.     

The amount of miles your vehicle can endure will depend on how extensive the damage is and the conditions on the road. If you’re concerned about replacement costs, note that the average estimate for a replacement is about $350 for each bearing.

The exact estimates will depend on:

• The make and model of your vehicle

• Type of bearing

• Parts and labor

Get Your Wheel Bearings Replaced at Meineke

 

If you notice signs of a bad wheel bearing, visit your nearest Meineke location. Once you bring your vehicle to us, we’ll perform a thorough diagnosis to honestly determine if a replacement is necessary.