Wheel Bearing Damage: What it is, How to Prevent it, and How to Fix it

Wheel bearing damage is a common problem that can affect any vehicle. It occurs when the bearings in the wheel become worn or damaged, which can lead to a variety of problems, including:

Noise: Wheel bearing damage can cause a grinding or humming noise when the vehicle is in motion.

Vibration: Wheel bearing damage can cause the vehicle to vibrate, especially at high speeds.

Poor handling: Wheel bearing damage can make the vehicle difficult to steer and handle.

Premature tire wear: Wheel bearing damage can cause the tires to wear unevenly, which can lead to premature tire failure.

Causes of Wheel Bearing Damage

There are a number of things that can cause wheel bearing damage, including:

Impact damage: Wheel bearing damage can be caused by hitting a pothole or other object with the wheel.

Overloading: Wheel bearing damage can be caused by overloading the vehicle, which puts extra stress on the bearings.

Lack of lubrication: Wheel bearing damage can be caused by a lack of lubrication, which can lead to the bearings becoming worn and damaged.

Corrosion: Wheel bearing damage can be caused by corrosion, which can occur when the bearings are exposed to water or other contaminants.

Symptoms of Wheel Bearing Damage

There are a number of symptoms that can indicate wheel bearing damage, including:

Noise: A grinding or humming noise when the vehicle is in motion is a common symptom of wheel bearing damage.

Vibration: The vehicle may vibrate, especially at high speeds, if the wheel bearings are damaged.

Poor handling: The vehicle may be difficult to steer and handle if the wheel bearings are damaged.

Premature tire wear: The tires may wear unevenly if the wheel bearings are damaged.

How to Prevent Wheel Bearing Damage

There are a number of things that you can do to prevent wheel bearing damage, including:

Avoid hitting potholes and other objects: The best way to prevent wheel bearing damage is to avoid hitting potholes and other objects with the wheels.

Do not overload the vehicle: Overloading the vehicle can put extra stress on the wheel bearings, which can lead to damage.

Regularly lubricate the wheel bearings: Regularly lubricating the wheel bearings will help to prevent them from becoming worn and damaged.

Protect the wheel bearings from corrosion: You can protect the wheel bearings from corrosion by keeping them clean and dry.

How to Fix Wheel Bearing Damage

If you suspect that your vehicle has wheel bearing damage, it is important to have it repaired as soon as possible. Wheel bearing damage can lead to a number of serious problems, including accidents.

There are a number of ways to fix wheel bearing damage, depending on the severity of the damage. In some cases, it may be possible to simply replace the damaged bearing. In other cases, it may be necessary to replace the entire wheel hub assembly.

The cost of repairing wheel bearing damage will vary depending on the severity of the damage and the type of vehicle. However, the average cost of repairing wheel bearing damage is between $200 and $500.

Conclusion

Wheel bearing damage is a common problem that can affect any vehicle. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of wheel bearing damage and to know how to prevent and fix it. By following the tips in this article, you can help to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely.

References

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

American Automobile Association

Car and Driver

Tips for Preventing Wheel Bearing Damage

Tip	Benefit	How to Do It
Avoid hitting potholes and other objects	Prevents impact damage to the wheel bearings	Pay attention to the road and avoid driving over potholes and other objects.
Do not overload the vehicle	Prevents overloading damage to the wheel bearings	Check the vehicle's owner's manual for the maximum load capacity.
Regularly lubricate the wheel bearings	Prevents lack of lubrication damage to the wheel bearings	Refer to the vehicle's owner's manual for the recommended lubrication interval.
Protect the wheel bearings from corrosion	Prevents corrosion damage to the wheel bearings	Keep the wheel bearings clean and dry.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Fixing Wheel Bearing Damage

Mistake	Consequence	How to Avoid It
Ignoring the symptoms of wheel bearing damage	Can lead to serious accidents	Have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic if you suspect wheel bearing damage.
Attempting to fix wheel bearing damage yourself	Can lead to further damage to the vehicle	If you do not have the experience and knowledge to fix wheel bearing damage, leave it to a qualified mechanic.
Using the wrong parts to fix wheel bearing damage	Can lead to premature failure of the repair	Use only high-quality parts from a reputable manufacturer.
Not properly lubricating the wheel bearings after fixing them	Can lead to lack of lubrication damage to the wheel bearings	Refer to the vehicle's owner's manual for the recommended lubrication interval.

Wheel Bearing Damage: What it is, How to Prevent it, and How to Fix it