Wheel Bearing
The wheel bearings inside your car is what helps the wheel function normally. They are an important part of the drivetrain and while they can last through many kilometres and millions of revolutions, without proper care they can fail quite easily. As with all moving parts, inadequate lubricant is the biggest enemy of bearings. If your CV joint is not properly maintained the wheel bearings can malfunction quite easily.
The wheel bearing is a circular device that is filled with ball bearings, it should be free-flowing and easy to turn. Most modern bearings are sealed units and will only come apart when they have failed. If you are hearing grinding or humming noise coming from your wheels, then a faulty bearing may be the cause.
There are several causes for your wheel bearings to fail and the most common include:
-
Poor
installation
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Failed
bearing seals
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Damage
caused by a collision
The wheel bearings in your vehicle are made to last, but without the proper maintenance, they are as vulnerable as most other parts. They perform a vital role in keeping your car running the best it can. Luckily it can be very easy to detect if your bearings are not doing what they are supposed to. If you hear a constant rumble, or hum as you drive – especially if it speeds up or slows down with the vehicle – this is a fairly clear indicator that your wheel bearings are ready to be replaced.
Unless you have experience working with other parts of your car the changing of wheel bearings should be left to a professional mechanic. At Lube Mobile we can send a mobile mechanic to perform a car service and replace any bearings that are not performing correctly. We have over 190 vehicles in our mobile mechanic fleet and they can come to your car, which can save you the cost of towing your vehicle to a workshop. We can perform all kinds of car repairs and get you back on the roads quickly.
We are available all over Australia, with mobile vans operating in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, as well as many other locations. For a complete list of the areas, we cover you can search our website or call 13 30 32.
How to change a wheel bearing?
Like most mechanical jobs, it is not difficult to replace a wheel bearing. But you’ll need the right tools and skills to complete the job properly. Most home mechanics can replace trailer bearings without any problems, but those on a car are usually best left to professionals.
In replacing a wheel bearing you’ll follow the following steps:
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Remove
the wheel and hub assembly
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Take
out the old bearings
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Inspect
the spindle, hub and bearing races for damage
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Install
the new bearings after prepping them properly (some are pre-greased
from the factory)
-
Install
the hub and adjust the bearings
-
Replace
the cup and the wheel, then perform a test
How fast can a wheel bearing go bad?
In most cases, the wheel bearings will go bad over some time. It is unusual that they fail all of a sudden, but not unheard of. If you can hear a humming noise coming from the wheels, then this can be a sign that your bearings are ready to be replaced. Any problems with your bearings should be fixed as a matter of urgency, as it can cause excessive wear of your tyres and cause problems for your steering. It is also likely that your CV joint needs attention, as wheel as other parts of the wheel assembly.
If the bearings are not functioning properly, it can be dangerous to drive your car. They will cause the vehicle to not respond properly to your actions and this can cause accidents that otherwise would have been prevented. By performing regular maintenance on your car, you can avoid most of the common problems that come with damaged bearings.
How much do wheel bearings cost to repair?
If you are only repairing the wheel bearing then you can expect to pay around $500 for the replacement of all the car bearings. However, this cost can be adjusted based on the age, make and model of your particular vehicle. For a car that has aftermarket parts available, it can be cheaper, but if it needs genuine replacements parts then the cost can be higher.
When replacing wheel bearings, it is important to note that there may be other problems with the wheel assembly that need to be fixed at the same time, and this can make the charges higher than usual. You can call Lube Mobile on 13 30 32 and we’ll provide you with a clear estimate for how much your replacement will cost.
How much to get new wheel bearings?
This all depends on the type of wheels bearings you’re after. For basic bearings that you’ll find on a trailer, the cost is significantly lower, but if you’re replacing the bearing on a 4x4 then the cost will be higher than usual, as they are usually larger and require more effort to change.
If the cost of the wheel bearings is a concern you should get a quote for the work before committing to taking your car to a mechanic. When you book with Lube Mobile, we’ll give you an estimate over the phone, or through our website. Therefore, you’ll know how much the repairs will cost, before you have the work completed.
Components we can repair or replace:
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