How much is a wheel bearing
What Kind Of Wheel Bearings Do You Have?
Knowing what kind of wheel bearings you have can help you better estimate your car repair costs. The car model you own usually depends on the make and model of the car. Both the cost of parts and labor costs will be affected by the type of bearing in your car.
There are four most common types of wheel bearings:
Ball Bearings
Precision Ball Bearings
Roller Bearings
Tapered Roller Bearings
Ball Bearings
Ball Bearings are made of hardened rolling elements and races, a separator is used to space the rolling elements and reduce friction. This shielded or sealed bearing is widely used in. instruments and machines to minimize frictions and power loss. The deep groove ball bearing is the most versatile with sealed grease lubrication. Radial loads and thrust-load capacities may be approximately equal in. this bearing. With the proper separator it is very good for high-speed operation. A separator of steel ribbon is used for intermediate speeds and at low speeds, no bearing separator is needed. Because of the simple design and the elimination of a separate lubrication system, these bearings can be found in. numerous applications.
Roller Bearings
A rolling-element bearing, also known as a rolling bearing is a bearing that carries a load by placing rolling elements (such as balls or rollers) between two bearing rings called races. The relative motion of the races causes the rolling elements to roll with very little rolling resistance and with little sliding. Rolling-element bearings have the advantage of a good trade-off between cost, size, weight, carrying capacity, durability, accuracy, friction, and so on. Other bearing designs are often better on one specific attribute, but worse in most other attributes, although fluid bearings can sometimes simultaneously outperform on carrying capacity, durability, accuracy, friction, rotation rate and sometimes cost.
Each of these types have pros and cons. Ball bearings are the most basic type, and they are also the most common. They work well in a variety of applications, and they are able to handle weight and cornering pressure well. These are one of the most versatile types of wheel bearings.
Precision ball bearings work extremely well for reducing friction and heat, so they are often used in high performance applications such as race cars and airplane wheels. Roller bearings work well for handling weight, but not so much for cornering pressure. They are not quite as versatile as ball bearings.
Finally, tapered roller bearings are used in many car and truck wheels. These have a tapered shape which allows them to handle weight well while also still having great cornering pressure ability.
The cost to replace your bearings will depend on what type you have, whether you need to replace the front or rear wheel bearings, and how many bearings you need to replace. Let's take it one step at a time.
How long does a wheel bearing replacement repair take?
We found the average wheel bearing replacement job will take between 1 to 2 hours.
Wheel bearing parts can vary greatly between different car makes and models, therefore the time this replacement takes can vary a lot from car to car.
The time taken to replace a wheel bearing is also slightly different depending on whether the bearing is on the front or rear wheel. A front wheel bearing replacement on average takes around 90 minutes, whereas a rear wheel bearing replacement takes on average just under 1 hour.
Front Wheel Bearings
If you have a front wheel drive vehicle, then these bearings are usually more expensive to replace than the rear bearings. The fronts will be connected to the steering knuckle and drive axle of your vehicle. This requires more time and labor to replace the part. In most cases, the entire hub assembly will need replacement, unless you have a serviceable hub assembly - which allows for removal and replacement of just the bearing.
The brake calipers and rotors will need to be removed to access the wheel hub so that the bearing can be removed. Upon replacement, it is packed with grease to provide lubrication and help keep out water and moisture. If the wheel hub does not come apart, then it is already sealed to keep out water.
The average cost to replace both front wheel bearings is $250 to $500. Roughly 40% of that cost is for the parts, and the remaining 60% is labor.
Rear Wheel Bearings
Replacing the rear hub bearings is often slightly cheaper than the fronts, although it again depends on your specific make and model of vehicle. To replace both rear bearings, you can expect to pay somewhere around $200 - $400 for both parts and labor.
In the unlikely event that you have bad front & rear wheel bearings, you will be looking at a fairly costly repair. Replacing all 4 bearings is likely to have a total cost around $1,000. Most of the time, this is not a repair that will be covered by warranty, as it has usually expired well before these parts fail.
If you don't have this kind of money laying around for a car repair, then consider selling your vehicle to Auto Wranglers. We will make you an instant cash offer on your car, and you could have money in your pocket within a day or two. We always provide free towing and pickup, and you can use that cash to buy a car that doesn't need any parts replaced!
Can You Drive With A Bad Wheel Bearing?
It is not a good idea at all to drive with a bad wheel bearing. Driving your car in this condition will lead to further damage of your vehicle. You will be generating lots of excess heat, and this can damage your brake rotors and pads. If that happens, you will then be paying for brake pad replacement too! When your wheel wobbles too much, it can also damage your axle and/or wheel.
You should have a professional mechanic inspect your vehicle immediately to avoid further damage. While it is possible to replace your own wheel bearing, most car owners simply do not have the know-how required to perform this job. If you don't have enough money to pay for an auto repair part, then leave ECCPP a message. We will send you a coupon code.
How Often Should You Replace Your Wheel Bearings
Typically, wheel bearings only need replacement when they experience a problem. These parts are usually not replaced on a preventative maintenance schedule. Be on the lookout for the symptoms of bad front or rear wheel bearings so that you know when to have your car inspected by a mechanic. If you catch it early, then the repair will be manageable.
However, if it goes too far and damages other parts, you might be considering whether the cost of buying a new car and trying to pay for it all is the same, or looking for replaceable car parts on ECCPP.
Conclusion
Whether you have a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, or Chevrolet Silverado, your vehicle has wheel bearings that will eventually wear out. Thankfully, these parts usually last for many years, so you do not have to worry about this repair often. You can expect to pay a couple hundred dollars to replace a single bearing and up to $1,000 or more to replace all four.
