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What is a Wheel Bearing?

A wheel bearing is a tiny steel ball or roller that keeps your wheels turning smoothly as you drive by. It is encased in a metal ring called a bearing race. It connects the wheel to the suspension system of your car and resides in the wheel hub.

They fulfill two essential purposes.

Load support: Although wheel bearings may appear little, they must withstand the whole weight of your vehicle, not to mention all the additional forces that are applied when you stop or accelerate.

Reduce Fiction: Wheel bearings ensure smoother wheel movement while driving, braking, and cornering by lowering friction between the vehicle’s moving and stationary components.

How To Find Your Wheel Bearings

You must first determine what kind of wheel you have before you can access your wheel bearings.

Do the wheels on your car have drum brakes or disc brakes?

Check the wheel hub for disc brake wheels.

For drum brake wheels, you must have access to the brake drum.

Car wheels usually have one or two-wheel bearings.

Don’t worry if you’re not car-savvy; you can always consult your vehicle’s handbook or ask a professional to show you.

Common Signs Your Wheel Bearings Are Broken

1. Unusual Sounds: Pay attention to any strange noises coming from your wheels. Defective wheel bearings often produce growling, rumbling, or humming sounds that change with your vehicle’s speed13. To pinpoint the problematic bearing, try to identify which wheel the noise is emanating from.
2. Vibrations: A worn wheel bearing can cause noticeable vibrations in the affected wheel3. These vibrations may intensify as you accelerate, making your driving experience less smooth and comfortable.
3. ABS Warning Light: In some vehicles, a malfunctioning wheel bearing can trigger the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light. This occurs because the ABS sensors are typically attached to the wheel hub assembly, which houses the wheel bearings.
4. Impact of Modifications: If you’ve customized your vehicle with larger or wider tires than the manufacturer recommends, you may be inadvertently putting extra stress on your wheel bearings4. Using non-standard tire sizes can lead to premature wear and damage to these crucial components.

By staying alert to these signs, you can catch wheel-bearing issues early and address them before they escalate into more serious problems. Remember, maintaining your wheel bearings is essential for both your vehicle’s performance and your safety on the road.

Why is My Car Wheel Bearing Making a Noise?

When a car wheel bearing starts making noise, it is often a sign that the bearing is failing – or that it has already failed.

Here are the top reasons your car wheel bearings are making a noise:

1. Wear and tear: Over time, the metal balls or rollers inside the wheel bearing can wear out due to constant use and exposure to road conditions. This wear can cause the bearing to lose its smoothness, increasing friction and noise.
2. Lack of lubrication: Wheel bearings need proper lubrication to operate smoothly. If the lubricant deteriorates or the bearing isn’t properly lubricated, it can increase friction and noise.

3. Contamination: If the seals on the wheel bearings fail, grease can escape, and contaminants like dirt, debris, or water can get into the wheel hub – the last thing any driver wants. This contamination can accelerate wear and create noise as the particles interfere with the bearing’s rotation.
4. Improper Installation: If a wheel bearing is not installed correctly, it can lead to misalignment or insufficient torque, causing uneven wear and noise.
5. Excessive load of impact: Carrying heavy loads or driving through potholes and other effects can put additional stress on the wheel bearing, leading to damage and noise.

How Much Does a New Car Wheel Bearing Cost?

Replacing a wheel bearing costs around £200 on average, although this largely depends on your car type.

For instance, my old Renault Twingo’s wheel bearing only cost £185 to replace, although I’ve seen people online with BMWs having to pay over £280 to fix it.

There are more expensive car parts to replace, but they are not cheap, especially if you need to install more than one new bearing on multiple tires.