!#8# How to Check If You Need Wheel Bearing Replacement

!±8± How to Check If You Need Wheel Bearing Replacement

All the cars make use of two different types of wheel bearings. Relatively older cars utilize the serviceable wheel bearings that are different parts as compared to the hubs. And almost all the new cars utilize hub bearing assemblies having internally pressed bearings which may not be serviced. The problem is that either kind fail after certain amount of use.

Wheel bearings perform their duties in tough conditions constituting of heat and friction. They require good quality lubrication. But it doesn't matter how well you do the maintenance, they will wear off after a while.

Checking Serviceable bearings

1. First jack up the wheel in question and put the car onto the jack stand. Spin the car wheel as fast as you can manually and feel or listen via the tire sidewall for large noises or resistances similar to grinding.

2. Place one hand at the top and one at the bottom of this wheel. You may wriggle this wheel to a rocking motion. You need to remember that serviceable bearings permit slight movements a free play such as 1/8th of one inch. For larger movements, you need servicing, re-tightening or replacing the wheel bearing.

3. Remove the hubcap and the dust cap from the hub center by using the hammer and small pry tools. You might also need straightedge screwdriver here. Check the cap interior for dryness and lack of grease.

4. Remove the cotter pin, take out castle cap and spindle nut by using two channel locks. Remove the washer and hit the tire top inwards with one hand and put the other hand onto the spindle for catching the outer bearing. Inspect the bearing. If they are reusable, repack them with grease and packers.

5. After inspection replace the bearing washer from the wheel assembly. Tighten spindle nuts with hands and channel locks. For seating the bearing, spin the wheel in forward direction. Back out the nut and replace cotter pin and cap. Fill the cap inside with grease.

Checking hub bearing assemblies

1. Place your hands at 9 and 3 positions and spin the tire fast with inward pressure for feeling resistance and listening to noises.

2. Now place your hands at 12 and 6 and try to wiggle the tire in rocking motion. In case there is any free play greater than 1/8th of an inch, it needs immediate replacement.

General indications of wheel bearing replacement necessity

Replacing the older wheel bearings with newer ones is a cost effective method. So it is wise to replace the crunchy, broken or worn out instantaneously. Another indication is that you need to exert lot of effort onto the brake pads. However you may need just some greasing in most cases. But if the bearings have got damaged, a good idea is to replace them. Noise coming out of wheel bearings is another clear indication but in this case you may not be required to dismantle all the related parts. Just put the wheel onto a jack and check for free movement. However you must be alert about wheel bearing. So watch out for these indications.