If average wheel bearing replacement cost is what you are looking for, this article will present you with a rough estimate. Along the way, you will also know about the causes, that may lead to wheel bearings replacement and the precautions one could take to prevent it.

 

The wheel is probably one of the greatest technological innovations, that has driven human civilization's progress. After discovery of fire, wheel must rate as the next best discovery. The techniques for reducing the friction between a wheel and its axle have been evolving over the years, as wheels developed from wooden carriage wheels to today's car wheels. Wheel bearing is the result of years of research, aimed at reducing the axle-wheel friction. Wheel bearings are devices, which enable the wheels to rotate. Through this Buzzle article, I present a rough estimate of average wheel bearing replacement cost and also warn you about the causes which may lead to their wear and tear and eventual replacement. We will see the function of wheel bearing, causes and signs of wheel bearing failure and finally, look at the wheel bearing replacement price.

 

How Does a Car Wheel Bearing Work?

 

Wheel bearings are car parts that bear the brunt of friction between the wheel axle and the wheel, so that, the wheel rotation is smooth. Wheels rotate at a very rapid pace and if there wasn't for a wheel bearing, it would be a very bumpy ride indeed! The wheel bearings are a buffer between a metal to metal contact surface, which prolongs the life of the axle and the wheel. Friction and heat are the bane of moving machine parts in contact with each other. A large part of design effort goes in to reducing this damaging friction through lubrication and buffers like wheel bearings. The wheel bearing is a slotted disk with ball bearings placed inside, which roll and enable the movement of the wheel while reducing friction. It's absolutely essential, that you keep the wheel bearing greased and repacked regularly. Wheel bearings are like the bone cushioning between our knee joints, they keep the movement smooth. The greasing job could be done once every two years or after a 23,000 mile running of the vehicle. Since, there are two pair of wheels (two front and two rear), this task is quadrupled. If you hear a roaring or screeching sound when the car wheels are rolling, it's time to get the wheel bearings checked out! Do not ignore wheel bearing replacement as it may lead to major car repairs later.

 

Cost Breakdown of Wheel Bearing Replacement

 

Quoting one wheel bearing replacement estimate would be difficult, as it varies from car to car. Other than that, in one car, there are two types of wheel bearings: one front bearing and one rear bearing. So, I will quote the overall range of wheel bearing replacement cost, irrespective of car model type or front/rare distinction. In the course of my research, as I went through the prices of new wheel bearings, I realized, that they can range anywhere from $40 to $400 for a single piece, depending on your car model. The wheel bearing replacement procedure is not that simple and about an hour of labor is involved in replacing it. The labor cost is usually $70 to $150. Ergo, the cost of wheel bearing replacement, along with labor involved would be in the range of $110 to $550.

 

Jobs like wheel bearing replacement are inevitable, when the incumbent bearings are worn out. Delay will cost you even more. Hope this article has given you an idea about the average wheel bearing replacement cost and the maintenance required to prevent reaching a stage of replacement.