AUTONET TV

Catching Trouble Early

Your vehicle depends on wheel bearings.  Sitting between the wheel’s hub and axle, they allow your wheels to spin smoothly, bear the vehicle’s weight and work in harmony to stay aligned with other parts.  

Wheel bearings can fail in several ways, and they may send the driver some pretty clear clues.  Sometimes they make strange noises, or you may feel vibrations instead of the usual smooth ride. The most common signs are grinding or humming noises, uneven tire wear and steering vibrations.

Wheel bearings can fail when they are contaminated with water, road salt or dirt that slips in through a broken seal that’s designed to keep those things out.  If lubrication gets too old or overheats, it can create friction and heat that will cause the bearing to fail.  If you’ve hit some hard potholes or curbs, that can also damage a wheel bearing.

Unfortunately, wheel bearings can’t be fixed; they have to be replaced.

Once a wheel bearing is worn, replacement is the only fix—bearings cannot be repaired. When you bring your vehicle in, a technician will give it a road test and listen for noises on turns.  If your bearing needs replacing, the technician will use the appropriate part for your vehicle and make sure the axle nut is torqued to factory specifications.

If you can avoid driving in deep water, keep your tires balanced and make sure your suspension and brakes are maintained, you might minimize the chances of damaging a wheel bearing.  

You probably don’t think about your wheel bearings very much, but they are important to good vehicle performance.  When they’re healthy, your wheels will rotate smoothly, handling will be stable and your braking will feel solid and predictable.

A.G. Automotive & Diagnosis
19735 Sherman Way Suite 2
Winnetka, CA 91306
(818) 438-9608
www.agautodiagnosis.com