What Are Wheel Bearings On A Car

Car wheel bearings are important for the performance of your car. The average life of a wheel bearing is usually quite a long time due to their sturdy build. They help your tires grip the ground and are responsible for providing smooth and efficient rotation of the wheel. They are usually located at the hub of the wheel and are made up of a metal ring with a number of ball bearings that rotate freely in both directions.

How Do They Fail

A car wheel bearing is designed to last for a long time, but it can wear out or break down due to various factors, including:

- Excessive heat due to bad alignment or improper installation

- Excessive weight on one side

- Improper lubrication

- Improper alignment - Improper installation

How Can You Diagnose A Failed Wheel Bearing

It's important to know how to tell if there's an issue because it can cause serious problems, like damage to your vehicle’s engine or transmission system. Its also important to be able to check your car wheel bearings as this can lead to you saving other parts in the long run.

Most people are unaware of the fact that there's a problem with their car wheel bearings. The problem with wheel bearings is that they often fail without any warning signs. The driver might notice a vibration or hear an unusual noise, but these are not always the telltale signs of a problem. Knowing the symptoms can help you to identify when it's time to get your bearings checked out. 

The first symptom of a bad bearing is usually excessive play in the steering wheel. When you're driving, you should be able to hold your hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel and not have any play in between your fingers. If you do have play, it could mean that there's a problem with your steering rack or steering knuckle - or worse yet, that there's an issue with one of your wheel bearings.

For most people the problem is usually a noise coming from your car’s front end. You may notice that it gets louder when you make turns and goes away when you drive in a straight line. The sound will also get louder when you accelerate and quieter when you brake or coast.

When In Doubt Go To A Professional

As previously stated its very difficult to diagnose a problem as there are usually no direct signs. This is why even though you might be getting all of the symptoms stated above, In order to know for sure if theres a problem with the car wheel bearings, it's important to take your vehicle to a mechanic and have them diagnose it or tell which wheel bearing has failed.