Checking For Signs Of Wheel Bearing Replacement

As some of you might not know, cars use two types of wheel bearings. Older cars use wheel bearings that are serviceable. These wheel bearings are different parts from hubs. These hubs are used by cars of newer make and model. Hub type wheel bearings  are impossible to service as they are internally pressed. Regardless of whatever type of wheel bearing you have, they will eventually break down after some time.

Wheel bearings undergo a lot of heat and friction. You can extend their lifespan a little by providing proper maintenance and lubrication but you should know that you will still need to replace them in time. Here are some of the signs to watch out for if you are having second doubts about replacing your wheel bearings. To learn more important tips about replacing wheel bearings check out this website http://www.wheelbearing.org/.

To check if your serviceable bearings need to be replaced, you must first jack up the wheel that is experiencing issues. Spin the wheel manually while listening for wheel bearing noise and  feeling for resistance. There might be a problem if you hear sounds similar to grinding. After this is done, wriggle the wheel by putting one of your hands at the top and the other at the bottom. In serviceable wheel bearings, only one eighth of an inch is possible for movements. If larger movements are observed, you will most likely need to re-tighten or replace your current wheel bearing.

Hub bearing assemblies are easier to check for replacement and repairs in comparison to serviceable types. Put your hands at the positions 3 and 9 and attempt to spin the tire as fast as you can while feeling for resistance and listening for wheel bearing noises. Proceed if you don't find anything out of the ordinary. The next step is to wriggle the wheel in a rocking motion after putting your hands at 12 and 6 positions. As with the former, there might be some problems if the free play is greater than one eighth of an inch.

As a general rule, older wheel bearings must be replaced if you want to be cost effective. It is highly recommended for you to have them replaced as immediate as you can. Replace your wheel bearings if they are already crunchy and worn out. You should also have your wheel bearing checked if you recently need to exert more effort for your brake pads to kick in. Keep in mind though that it is also possible that all it needs is a little greasing. It is also advisable for you to replace damaged bearings immediately even if they are not that old and worn out yet. Lastly, always watch out for any type of noise in your wheel bearing as this is usually an indication that it needs to be replaced.