Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2022-09-19 Origin: Site
Are you having a hard time finding a suitable wheel bearing for your vehicle? Don’t worry, because in this section we’ll be looking at some important things to keep in mind when shopping for a wheel bearing. Read on to find out what to keep an eye out for and what to avoid.
Wheel bearings are an essential part of a vehicle's braking, steering and suspension systems. If you want to prevent additional problems from occurring, you’ll have to replace a broken wheel bearing as soon as possible. Here are some of the most obvious signs that a wheel bearing is broken:
Incorrect tire wear — Excessive tire wear is a big indicator that there could be something wrong with your wheel bearings.
Steering wheel vibration — A damaged bearing can cause severe vibration in your steering wheel.
Abnormal noise — Abnormal noises like squeaking or clicking while turning corners can be a sign that your wheel bearing needs changing.
This is undoubtedly one of the more important things to keep in mind while shopping around. All wheel bearings and hub assemblies are different, so you’ll have to double and even triple-check that the specific model you're purchasing is compatible with your vehicle.
You’ll usually be able to track down a full "Compatibility List" somewhere in the product description or elsewhere on the product page.
If you still aren't sure if it’ll be a good fit, contact the manufacturer and send them specific information about your vehicle (type, year, make, model) — they’ll usually respond shortly.
There are a few different kinds of wheel bearings on the market — here are the notable ones:
Ball bearings — These wheel bearings are one of the more common options that you can purchase. They’re made to provide you with a smooth driving experience while also reducing the heat friction of the drivetrain
Tapered bearings — Tapered bearings are incredibly versatile and can handle both radial & heavy-weight loads
Roller bearings — Roller bearings are great for vehicles that carry much heavier loads. They’re made with sturdy materials and feature solid craftsmanship
Ball thrust bearings — These models are practically identical to standard ball bearings, but they do have one disadvantage — they can't really handle fast speeds
The second thing you should pay attention to is the material of the wheel bearing.
Search for wheel bearings that are manufactured from strong and corrosion-resistant steel alloy, a material that has a long lifespan and offers great performance.
There are hundreds of brands on the market, and even though it’s great to try out new things, now’s not necessarily the time to do that.
Look for top-tier manufacturers like Mayasaf, MOOG, NTN Wheel Bearing, SKF, Timken Group, PFI, AC Delco, Detroit Axle, AA Ignition, and Timken.
Many of the above-mentioned brands have years of background experience and are known for manufacturing high-quality car parts.
Make sure that you search for a wheel bearing that has at least some form of a guarantee policy — this allows you to request a free replacement if something happens to your current wheel bearing.
Don't forget to look through the entire guarantee policy posted by the product’s manufacturer so that you know what you’re getting with it — and what you might not be getting.
If you're in the market for a new wheel bearing, expect to pay as little as $30 or up to $150 for some specific models. The price range can greatly vary depending on a few crucial factors, including the material’s reliability and quality as well as the brand manufacturing it.
Note: The cheapest models might seem like a reasonable option, particularly for cost-savvy purchasers. It’s usually a good idea to stay away from these, though, as they can quickly show serious signs of wear. Go for a mid-priced model instead — these offer great quality and will last for a substantial amount of time without showing any problems.
The majority of wheel bearings feature outstanding durability, but one of the things that they can't really handle is physical impact. To extend the longevity of your wheel bearings and prevent any damage, we strongly advise you to avoid going too quickly over speed bumps or potholes.
Exposure to poor weather conditions can harm your wheel bearings as well, so try not to drive your car on roads that have too much mud, dust, or road salt.
Believe it or not, car modifications like using a hard shock absorber or installing bigger rims can cause significant damage to wheel bearings.
A final thing that can cause severe damage to wheel bearings is improper installation, so make sure that everything is properly positioned before you start driving your vehicle.
We hope that our buyer's guide has helped you learn a little more about wheel bearings. All of the selections on our list are top-class and will be able to last for an extended period without a problem. You pretty much can't go wrong with these wheel bearings, and your car will thank you for it!
This can greatly vary depending on the specific wheel bearing you have on your vehicle. Generally, most of the wheel bearings on the market can last for around 100,000 to 135,000 miles without an issue.
If you have all of the necessary tools (jack, lug wrench & screwdriver) and some background experience, you should easily be able to replace the wheel bearing in under 20 minutes. If you don't have any kind of experience or tools, then you should consider going to the closest mechanic for installation.
If you received a broken wheel bearing, you should immediately contact the manufacturer — make sure that you include visible pictures of the broken wheel bearing as well for proof. Don't try fixing the bearing or placing it on your car, as this can only cause additional damage to your vehicle and possibly even yourself.