Last Updated on December 8, 2022 by
You may have heard or read concerning wheel bearings and are curious how much it costs to replace them. But what are they, exactly? A wheel bearing is a collection of steel balls or rollers encased in a metal frame that fits inside a hollow metal piece at the center of the wheel hub. The wheel bearing is mounted on your car’s axle shaft and helps reduce friction when the wheel rotates, resulting in a smooth ride.
Wheel Bearings
There are multiple wheel bearings used in automobiles, which we will go over in more detail later, but now every car has just one on each of its wheels, and it is necessary for your vehicle to proceed successfully. It is critical to put the optimum wheel bearing on the car for the weight to be equally spread on the reels. Wheel bearings are susceptible to abuse because they carry your car’s weight when driving. This is especially the case if you’re going on a bumpy road full of potholes. Other road conditions, such as a lot of water or dirt, can trigger the wheel bearing to degrade too quickly.
Wheel bearings, like practically any other automotive component, will wear down. Furthermore, a significant collision can lead to severe damage to the wheel bearings. We’ll go through the many kinds of wheel bearings, the warning signs to check for, and, as obviously, how much you have to anticipate to pay for a replacement.
Why should you replace front wheel bearing?
We’re all scared of putting off car repairs from time to time. We, too, as car lovers, have done it on occasion. Whether it’s due to budgetary constraints, a lack of time, or simply borderline laziness. We’re not ashamed of it, but we’ve all put off car maintenance.
However, as previously said, wheel bearings are critical in ensuring a smooth ride when driving. It’s also in charge of the load and weight of your car while you go. As a result, it’s critical to keep them in good working order.
Noisy wheel bearings: what are the dangers?
A humming or rumbling sound is usually the first sign when a wheel bearing wears out. You will hear this sound more loudly if you turn the wheel at speed in one direction or take a slight curve on the road.
Since the wheel bearing is not adequately lubricated and friction is exceptionally high, driving on a damaged wheel bearing can be extremely dangerous. Friction generates heat, which eventually disintegrates the approach, which may cause a wheel to come off or the vehicle to lose control. Driving can cause this to happen at any time.
Can you drive with bad wheel bearings?
Of course, you can still drive your automobile with a bad wheel bearing. However, the longer you stay to replace it, the more harm it will do to other elements of your vehicle. In particular, pay attention to the wheel and foundation assembly, which will cost you additional money in the long run.
In addition, bad wheel bearings might make your car less maneuverable while you drive. It has a significant impact on the car’s handling, exposing you, your occupants, and some other drivers on the road at risk. It’s essential to replace the wheel bearings as early as possible if they’re worn out or broken.
Unless such a car is now in an accident, it’s unusual for such wheel bearing to fail right away completely. However, if you suspect a problem with the wheel bearings, you should have them checked as soon as possible. Check the wheel bearings at your local repair facility to see how badly they’ve been damaged. You can also request them to determine how close it is to failing.
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Cost of front wheel bearing replacement
Various wheel bearings are used in different cars; hence the cost of wheel bearing replacement varies. You’ll need to clarify the absolute pricing with your primary dealer or your go-to regional repair shop. Nevertheless, here are some samples to help you estimate how much that will cost:
The MSRP for replacing the front wheel bearings & hub assembly is $363. A rear wheel hub & bearings, on the other hand, will set you back $574. Remember that this is the Toyota OEM price, which does not include labor.
It’s worth noting that the cost of replacing a wheel bearing in a supercar, a truck, or a decent car can be more. This isn’t usually the case, but that occasionally happens with specific automobiles. The price difference could be due to a more complex overall assembly or the producer just charging a higher price for the spare parts. Remember that these are OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) prices for the entire hub assembly. It will be far less expensive to repair the wheel bearings if your vehicle does not require replacing the whole hub.
Average cost of front wheel bearing replacement
A front wheel bearing alone could cost you between $60 and $150 on average, and a complete bearing & hub component replacement would cost you between $200 and $400 per wheel, based on your car model. Labor costs vary based on how much your regional repair shop or dealership charges, but you should anticipate paying anywhere from $70 to $280, depending on how many wheel-bearing components you’re fixing or changing.
Overall, replacing the bearing & hub components on both ends of the axles should cost between $400 and $800, and rebuilding all four should cost roughly twice.
