Wheel Bearings

FAQs Concerning Wheel Bearings

Do both sides of the wheel assembly hubs need to be replaced at the same time?
No, it's not necessary to change both wheel's hub assemblies at the same time.
What is the most common kind of failure to occur in wheel bearings
Other than normal wear and tear, the most common kind of wheel bearing problem is leaking seals. When the seals break, the lubrication starts to degrade or becomes gunked up.
What is it that I'm hearing?
When wheel bearings go bad, there's usually metal to metal contact sans lubricant. Without the lubricant, the wheel bearings overheat and start to degrade faster. The lack of lubrication can cause larger vibrations felt in the steering wheel, too.
Is it dangerous to drive with bad wheel bearings?
Yes. Bad wheel bearings could have worn out or have a bad seal. Improperly sealed wheel bearings lose lubrication and can seize. Since this is part of the drivetrain, that means your wheels seize and stop turning. While wheel bearings can sound bad for many months before this happens, it's a good idea to replace them as soon as possible.

Buy wheel bearings online or visit your local Advance Auto Parts store and have one of our knowledgeable Team Members help you.

Additional FAQs

Is there more information from Advance Auto Parts about wheel bearings?
There sure is! Check out our handy How-To guide titled Don't Get No Respect: Wheel Hub Assemblies and Wheel Bearings.
I chose the harder wheel bearing breakdown DIY. How do I lubricate the wheel bearings?
Check out this Advance Auto Parts article about How to Lubricate Wheel Bearings.
Are weird sounds from my suspension always the wheel bearings going bad?
No, wheel bearings aren't the only part that could be causing noise in that area. Check out this article on Troubleshooting Your Vehicle Suspension for more information.