How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Wheel Bearing

It’s likely that if you buy a vehicle, crossover, or truck long enough, you’ll need to replace one or more wheel bearings thus, knowing how much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing will prove very helpful. Contrary to oil changes, tire rotations, and brake pad and rotor replacements, the majority of car owners are unsure of the cost of replacing a wheel bearing. Car Talk’s experts can offer assistance.

Wheel bearings endure a lot. The wheel bearings at your car’s four corners support the majority of its weight. When these bearings start to degrade, a buzzing sound can be heard. At high speeds and with a modest side-to-side wheel turn, it is easiest to hear. The humming or grinding sound that occurs when a rear wheel bearing fails is typically consistent. Well, in this article we’ll be discussing how much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing.

So, let’s dive!

Contents

How much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing

A general breakdown of the price to replace a worn-out wheel bearing can be found below;

Front-wheel bearings – Hub style

Complete unit

These days, a complete-unit hub bearing is used in the vast majority of cars. Since hub bearings typically cost between $80.00 and $300.00, the cost of the bearing represents the majority of the overall cost in this case. ABS sensors are integrated into many of these. A replacement bearing is screwed on after these bearings are removed from the steering knuckle. Expect to pay between $80 and $200 for 1-2 hours of labor to replace each side.

pressed out unit

These parts, which include the sealed roller bearing you can see on the back of the entire unit, are commonly found in German and Japanese automobiles. In these circumstances, it is frequently necessary to remove the entire steering knuckle from the car, press out the old bearing, and press the new one in. While the cost of the bearing significantly decreases (generally these cost between $25 and $50), the work required to replace the bearing increases, typically by 2-4 hours ($160 to $400).

Front-wheel bearing – Traditional roller

2WD: Two wheel drive

When the rotors are removed for brake maintenance on older 2WD vehicles, traditional cone or roller bearings are frequently repaired. These bearings are less expensive to acquire, can be changed simply, and typically cost $6 to $20 per unit. Servicing them often costs $80 to $100, plus the cost of replacing the rotor because the bearing race is pressed in. Most vehicles will cost roughly $150.00 to replace, including labor, and may cost more depending on the cost of the rotor. In many instances, replacing the rotor is less expensive than removing the old bearing race and pressing in a new one.

4WD: four wheel drive

These cars continued to use cone-style or hub systems that house roller bearings until relatively recently. While the actual bearings are frequently as inexpensive as those in 2WD cars, taking them out and disassembling the hub is frequently a little more time-consuming. Expect to pay $80–$160.00 for 1-1.5 hours of labor on each side, plus the cost of new bearings. Remember that if the race has hub damage, it will need to be squeezed out and a new race pressed in, which will take longer.

Rear-wheel bearing

Solid rear drive axle

The rear wheel bearings are located inside the solid axle and are typically pushed into the axle tube or onto the drive axle itself in the majority of modern vans, lorries, and older RWD cars. In any situation, the cost of the bearing is typically between $25 and $50, whereas the time it takes to remove the old bearing and push in the new one is between one and four hours.

Typical units

The full hub bearing or pressed-on units used for rear wheel bearings today are often the same as those used for front wheels. Here, a whole unit is typically employed and unbolted/fastened to the independent rear axle or rear transaxle (2WD cars).

These are all but estimates. However, they give you a good idea of what you may expect to pay. Wheel bearings, fortunately, endure a very long period, so you won’t need to replace them very regularly.

How Often Do Wheel Bearings Need Replacement?

Because it’s typical for individuals to be unaware that wheel bearings are part of a brake service, wheel bearings are one of the pieces of your car that many people don’t give much thought to.

The majority of people advise inspecting your bearings each time your brakes are serviced. This can involve adjusting the bearings to assist prevent uneven wear, examining the lubrication, and searching for early warning signals that the bearings are beginning to wear out. Every 25,000 to 30,000 miles, such maintenance will normally be performed.

If your wheel bearings or wheel hub are sealed, you should replace them every 85,000 to 100,000 miles to avoid maintenance but also to extend the life of the bearings a little.

In addition to how many miles you’ve driven, the replacement schedule for other wheel hubs and bearings is a little more unpredictable and is based on the type of driving you perform.

Watch the video below to learn more

FAQs

Can I drive with a failing wheel bearing?

No. Driving with one of your bearings worn out can actually be extremely risky, especially if the wheel suddenly stops. A damaged wheel bearing also exerts a lot of strain on the transmission’s actual mechanism, the CV joint, and the hub.

Is the wheel bearing expensive to fix?

The brand and model, the labor cost at the shop, and the cost of parts are a few of the variables. The national average for replacing one wheel’s wheel bearings is roughly $350.

What are the signs of a bad wheel bearing?

Buzzing Sound
Growling and squealing.
A clicking noise.
Wheel sways.
ABS lapse.
Tire wear that is uneven.
The car moves to one side.
The vibration of the steering wheel.

What will happen if the wheel bearing fails?

If your wheel bearing breaks, the wheel may stop while you are driving or perhaps come off entirely.

Do wheel bearings affect brakes?

Wheel bearings maintain the alignment of the brake rotors. The rotor will sway on its axis if a wheel bearing is damaged or loose. The rotor is forced into the caliper piston’s bore by this wobble (see Image 2). The piston now travels further than usual to apply the brakes when you press the brake pedal.

What sound does a bad wheel bearing make?

Can I drive with a noisy wheel bearing?

A wheel bearing will begin to produce noise as it begins to wear. Driving is not advised if a wheel bearing is worn since it is crucial to keep the wheel attached to the car.

How long does the wheel bearing last?

Wheel bearings can wear out and break even though they are designed to last the whole lifetime of your car. Wheel bearings typically need to be replaced after 85,000 to 100,000 kilometers. Wheel bearings can last a long time in some cars, but they can also wear out very fast in other cars.

Does a bad wheel bearing affect speed?

Since your tires spin on your wheel bearings, as they wear down, they can cause you to accelerate more slowly. Wheel bearings can start to perform worse and stop allowing your car to accelerate freely due to inadequate lubrication or rust.

What are the four symptoms of a defective wheel bearing?

excessive play or looseness in the steering wheel (vague steering); steering wheel vibration that varies with the speed or direction of the vehicle; and broken ABS. Failure of the integrated ABS sensor in the wheel end bearing may be the cause of ABS system troubles.

That’s all for this article where we discussed how much does it cost to replace a bearing wheel. Hope it was helpful. If so, kindly share. Thanks for reading.

How much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing