Everything About Wheel Bearings & Seals

Wheel Bearings

The wheel bearings hold the same importance as a wheel and are at the same time as old as a wheel. The best thing about them is that they have the ability to allow free rotation without the damaging effects of friction and wear. “Bearings" are generally the small round pieces which would spin within a bearing assembly. These bearings come is a lot of shapes, but yes all of them serve the same primary purpose.

Wheel Seals

There is a wheel seal inside the bearing which is designed in such a way that it can keep the bearings properly lubricated as well as free of debris, dirt and other materials from the bearings. This service would commonly include removing the wheel seal and bearing from each hub, cleaning them, packing them with grease and then any faulty seals should be restored.

Have a look at various types of wheel bearings:

1. Ball Bearings - The ball bearings are round metal balls. They are used in automotive bearing assemblies, but are also generally found in skateboards, electric motors, and household machinery.
2. Straight Roller Bearings - These types of bearings are cylindrical in shape and possess a constant diameter straight across their entire length – which is similar to a log. Just because radial loads which are placed on them are spread out evenly across a much wider contact point, that’s the reason why they are good for some heavier-duty applications.
3. Tapered Roller Bearings - The rollers are also made up of cylindrical shape, but all of them are taper to one side. It is the bearing assemblies inside which they are placed. The reason why they are cone-shaped is that physics allows this shape to handle heavy amounts of radial pressure, thrust loads as well as hard shocks.

• There are two very essential jobs in an automobile’s suspension which are performed by the wheel bearings. The wheel bearing would allow the rotation of the wheels with minimal function, and at the same time support the automobile’s weight.
• The bearings should be in excellent condition so that they can perform both of these jobs perfectly. Just keep in mind that the seals should be free from leakage to keep the lubricant inside the bearings and contaminants out.

Want to know the symptoms of bad wheel bearings? Then all you have to do is to keep reading further.

1. Grinding or Grating sound from the wheel - Noises coming from the wheel of the moving automobile are one of the most common symptoms which are related with a faulty wheel bearing. Don’t mistake it as an engine noise, as if you would hear it closely then you might realize that it is the grinding or grating noise which would surely get louder with the acceleration of the vehicle.
2. Shifting Weight of Car - If you will drive your vehicle at the speed of around 50mph, and start to steer the car towards the left and right, then because of the shifting of its weight from left to right, it would start making noise.
3. Worn Patches on Tires - The tires which get worn out or get chopped from various patches also start making grinding or pinching sound when there is an increase in the speed.
4. Your Car Feels Loose - One another symptom of a bad wheel bearing is the looseness of the wheel or also known as wheel play. If the bearing would spoil, then it would start to lose inside the wheel hub and spindle, which would make the automobile lose while steering.

Are you thinking of repairing your Wheel Bearings & Seals on your own? Then there is one thing which you must have, that is the right tools needed for repairing your Wheel Bearings & Seals. It is essential to make sure that you are outfitted with the right tools to get the work done properly. Have a look at some tools which you might need to get started with your repair work: -

• Diagonal Cutters
• Floor Jack
• Gloves
• Pliers
• Ratchets
• Safety Glasses
• Jack Stand
• Socket Set
• Screwdriver
• Torque Wrench
• Wheel Chock
• Wire clothes hanger

When it comes to vehicle owner’s choice, the brands really matter a lot. You might pay a premium for a specific car part brand, over time, as it has created a perception of quality, stability as well as trust. There are some leading car parts brands which are more than just products or services as they give rise to memories and emotions related with the quality. So have a look at some top brands for Wheel Bearings & Seals.

It is very important to arm yourself with information before you shop any auto part. We are here to help you dive deep into the names of the Wheel Bearings & Seals related parts.

• Front Axle Bearing

There are a lot of factors which should be considered when you are thinking of replacing Wheel bearings & Seals. First you have to decide that if you require some related parts of Wheel Bearing & Seals or a whole Wheel Bearing & Seals Then after that the next step is to decide what type of make as well as type of Wheel bearings & Seals you are actually dealing with and then from where will you get a brand new one. Just keep in mind that a brand-new Wheel bearings & Seals which would come from a warehouse would cost much more than the one you will get in a junkyard. After that the next point which should be considered is that from where you are going to get it replaced and how quickly it needs to be done. If you are looking for Wheel bearings Replacement Cost” then It is between $445 and $579, Wheel bearings Replacement Labour Cost is between $148 and $187 while parts are priced between $297 and $392.

If you want to save money, then you can always change your bearings all by yourself rather than going to a mechanic.

Step 1

The first and foremost step is to park your vehicle on a surface which is fully flat. It is essential to take all the necessary precautions when you are changing the wheel bearings of your car.

Step 2

The wheels should be secured by the wheel chocks whose bearings you aren't restoring. If you want added stability, then it would be a smart idea to utilize sturdy chocks to hold your vehicle's wheels in place.

Step 3

The lug nuts should be loosened up and the wheel should be lifted by utilizing a jack. If you want proper access to the internal parts of the wheel whose bearings you're restoring, then the car wheel should be elevated.

Step 4

The lug nuts should be unscrewed and then the car wheel should be removed. Now the lug nuts would come off easily. These should be removed and then safety put them in a place where they won’t be lost. Then carefully remove the wheel. It should come off easily.

Step 5

After that the brake caliper should be removed. Then a socket and ratchet should be used to remove the bolts of the caliper. Then use a screwdriver to remove the caliper.

Step 6

The dust cover, cotter pin, and castle nut should be removed carefully. Just make sure that you don’t lose these small but important parts somewhere.

Step 7

Then the rotor should be removed. Your thumb should be securely placed on the peg in the middle of the rotor assembly.

Step 8

Next step is to unscrew the hub bolts and remove the old hub.

Step 9

Then the hub assembly should be disassembled. If you want to gain access to the bearings, then you will have to take apart the hub.

Step 10

The races should then be removed and then carefully clean the knuckle.

Step 11

The new races and new wheel bearings should then be installed properly. The new races in place should be set up in the bearing assembly with a few taps from a hammer.

Step 12

All the parts should be restored in the reverse order. Now since you have changed the bearings, then after that all you have to do is to rebuild your vehicle's wheel. Once you have completed everything, then you should lower the car back down to the ground with your jack very carefully. Now your car wheel bearings have been changed properly.