According to Toyota, there are roughly 30,000 different parts on an individual car … yes you read that correctly, THIRTY THOUSAND parts! It is no wonder then that automotive maintenance is such an important component of car ownership. Many of these parts are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle, however there are some parts that get so much wear and tear during operation that they will most likely need replaced before the life of the vehicle is done. Wheel bearings are one of those parts.

The wheel bearings play an important role in the vehicle’s suspension; they support the vehicle’s weight as well as allowing the tires to rotate with ease. Most wheel bearings are engineered to withstand use up to 150,000 miles or more, however this number can be considerably lower if they are subjected to rough roads on a continued basis. Another cause of premature failure is due to contamination or loss of grease. A damaged grease seal makes it possible for the protective grease to leak out of the bearings and dirt and water to enter in.

The first sign that a wheel bearing is damaged or beginning to fail is typically noise from the wheel area. The noise varies, but is normally described as a growling or rumbling noise. Moaning, chirping or cyclic noise have also been reported in a bad wheel bearing. A bad wheel bearing can cause the steering of your vehicle to feel different; it might feel as though your steering is wandering or wobbly. If you notice any of these symptoms, take note because a failed wheel bearing can be catastrophic if left alone too long.

If a wheel bearing has failed, there is the danger of losing the wheel while driving down the road. Also, as the wheel hubs heat up due to excessive friction, it could lock up the wheel during operation and that could throw your vehicle out of control. It is extremely dangerous to you and the other vehicles on the road if you drive your vehicle with a bad or failing wheel bearing. It is important to take it to an auto repair shop as soon as possible to have the bearing repaired or replaced.