Where is the wheel bearing located?
wheel hub
How do I know if my wheel bearings are going out?
Here are some indicators of a worn wheel hub bearing or other wheel-end damage:
- Snapping, clicking or popping.
- Grinding when the vehicle is in motion.
- Knocking or clunking.
- Humming, rumbling or growling.
- Wheel vibration and/or wobble.
- Shudder, shimmy or vibration at a constant speed.
What does a bad wheel bearing feel like?
You will hear a grinding or grating noise that seems to be coming from one of the wheels. This is definitely the most common symptom that a wheel bearing is bad. It’s not always easy to tell which wheel is making the noise. One thing to remember is that the grinding noise will get louder as you drive faster.
Can I just replace the wheel bearing and not the Hub?
If your car or truck has a non-serviceable wheel hub assembly with press in bearings, you will need a shop press to remove and replace the bearings. If your car or truck has non-serviceable wheel hubs, simply remove the old wheel hub and replace it with a new part.
Can I replace a wheel bearing myself?
Changing your own wheel bearings is considered an intermediate job that can be done at home, but will need some speciality mechanic tools. Be sure to obtain your vehicle’s service manual and identify the type of wheel bearing your vehicle is equipped with before you begin the repair.
Can I still drive with a bad wheel bearing?
Q: Is it safe to drive with a bad wheel bearing? A: No. It can, in fact, be very dangerous to drive if one of your bearings is worn out, especially since it may cause the wheel to stop while driving. Additionally, a damaged wheel bearing puts a lot of stress on the hub, the CV joint, and the transmission itself.
How many miles can you drive on a bad wheel bearing?
Can a vehicle keep going even after hearing noises from the wheel bearing? You can go about 1000-1500 miles before it will give up on you and fail, which means it is a danger to yourself and others until then. You should get to a mechanic as soon as possible.
What happens if you don’t change a wheel bearing?
Ultimate damage: If you don’t replace a damaged wheel bearing before it fails completely, the wheel will completely seize up. If this happens while you’re driving, the results can be catastrophic.
Can a bad CV axle damage a wheel bearing?
If it was worn down enough to be banging around (frequent clicking noise) then yes that will wear the hub bearings faster, but it’s not going to ruin the hub right away, not a “rush” to avoid further damage scenario.