Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by
Wheel bearings are made up of several steel balls connected by a metal ring. The ring sits snugly in the middle of the hub. Lubrication is required for wheel bearings, with a seal keeping the grease within the approach. Furthermore, the seal acts as a barrier against dirt and debris that would otherwise cause corrosion. It is essential for the durability of the wheel bearing.
The wheel bearing allows the wheel to spin quickly without too much friction. Additionally, they carry the car’s weight, amounting to over 4,000 pounds. If you take care of your wheel bearing and your car in general, a good wheel bearing made of high-quality steel should last 100,000 miles or more. Let us learn about the cost of replacing wheel bearings in detail.
Cost of replacing wheel bearing
The wheel bearing replacement cost varies from one car to another because different vehicles come with other wheel bearings. You’ll need to contact your local dealer or your local repair shop to determine the actual price. Here are a few examples to give you an idea of how much it will cost:
Let’s take a 2018 Toyota Camry as an example. If you were to replace the front wheel bearings and hub assembly, the MSRP would be $363. The cost of a rear-wheel hub and approach is $574. Note that this is the OEM price from Toyota and does not include labor. As for the Camry’s compact little brother, the Toyota Corolla, you will need to shell out $397 for the front wheel bearings and hub assemblies and $298 for the rear ones.
A sports car, a truck, or a luxury car can have a higher wheel-bearing replacement cost. The problem doesn’t always occur with certain vehicles, but sometimes it does. The manufacturer charges a premium for the spare parts, or there is an overall more complex assembly resulting in a price difference. According to the list price, replacing a wheel bearing on a Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG with AIRMATIC suspension can cost $970. You’ll pay well above what you would for a more “regular” car such as a Toyota Camry.
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The average cost of replacing a wheel bearing
Depending on your vehicle type, you can expect to pay anywhere between $60 and $150 for a wheel bearing and hub assembly replacement and around $200 – $400 for an entire wheel bearing and hub assembly replacement. In addition, labor costs vary depending on how much your local shop or dealership charges, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $70 – $280 based on how many wheel-bearing assemblies you need to replace or repair.
The cost of replacing the bearing and hub assemblies for both sides of an axle ranges from $400 – $800, and for all four, the cost would be around twice as much.
The cost is for original equipment manufacturers’ parts. The price of a bearing and hub assembly from 3rd party manufacturers, such as MOOG, is about half that of genuine OEM parts if you don’t mind using 3rd party parts. Before purchasing, read reviews and ensure that the product has good quality and a good warranty, so you will have peace of mind even if it isn’t an OEM part.
What is the lifespan of wheel bearings?
Most modern cars have wheel bearings that last between 85,000 and 100,000 miles. You may experience different failure rates depending on your car model and driving conditions. Driving on bumpy roads with potholes will likely reduce the life expectancy of your wheel bearings. However, you should be fine up to 100,000 miles as a general rule.
Check your car’s fluid levels every 35,000 miles if it’s an older vehicle. To make sure they’re in good shape. Because older cars can be less reliable, you’d want to maintain them better. If you want to know how long your car’s wheel bearing might last, you can check online forums. Owners of certain cars often post their experiences in these forums. You will also be able to find out if your vehicle has any manufacturer defects, among other things.
How to extend the life of your wheel bearings?
What can you do, once you have diagnosed, identified, and have installed new wheel bearings in your car, to prolong their lifespan so that you will not have to replace them anytime soon?
Rough roads can shorten a wheel bearing’s lifespan, as previously mentioned. It would make sense to avoid bumpy roads as often as you can. Also, you should be more sympathetic to your car and take better care when crossing speed bumps. Overtaking a node at too high a speed will stress your vehicle’s wheel bearings. It may even damage other parts of the suspension or steering system.
In addition, avoid driving through mud and deep water whenever possible. Excess dirt and moisture might seep into the wheel bearings, causing them to wear out more quickly. We don’t want that to happen.
Apart from being more careful while driving, you should also go to the right repair shop. You must find a mechanic who is familiar with your car. Proper wheel bearings and hub assembly installation are essential as a lousy installation may cause unnecessary damage to your wheel bearings over time. In turn, this will shorten their lifespan even further.
When should a wheel bearing be replaced?
It is only necessary to replace the wheel bearing of a car when it is damaged or worn out; for example when it becomes noisy or loose or causes the wheel speed sensor to malfunction. Wheel bearings can last the lifetime of a vehicle in many cases.
The wheel bearing is the part that spins the wheel. Each wheel has a ball bearing or a pair of roller bearings, depending on its type. A double-row ball-wheel bearing is used in most modern cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
Final Thoughts
This guide was all about the cost of replacing wheel bearing. If you still have more than 100,000 miles left on your car, you can relax. There’s a good chance your wheel bearings won’t need replacing anytime soon. Nevertheless, if your vehicle is older or you notice some symptoms, you may want to have it checked out at a repair shop. It is good to check for damage to the wheel bearings or other components.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Apart from this if you are interested to know more about The Importance of Routine Wheel Alignment then visit our Automobile category.
