Back Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost: Everything You Need to Know

Is your car making a grinding noise when you drive? It could be a sign that your back wheel bearings need to be replaced. Back wheel bearings are essential for keeping your wheels turning smoothly and safely. When they wear out, it can be dangerous and expensive to drive your car.

That's why it's important to know the signs of a bad wheel bearing and the cost of replacing it. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about back wheel bearing replacement cost, including the benefits of replacing them, how to do it yourself, and some common mistakes to avoid.

Benefits of Replacing Back Wheel Bearings

There are many benefits to replacing your back wheel bearings, including:

• Improved safety: Bad wheel bearings can cause your wheels to wobble or even come off while you're driving. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if you're driving at high speeds.
• Reduced noise: Bad wheel bearings can make a grinding or humming noise when you drive. This noise can be annoying and distracting, and it can also make it difficult to hear other noises, such as sirens or horns.
• Improved fuel economy: Bad wheel bearings can cause your car to use more fuel. This is because they make your wheels turn less efficiently, which requires your engine to work harder.
• Extended tire life: Bad wheel bearings can cause your tires to wear out prematurely. This is because they can cause your wheels to wobble, which can lead to uneven tire wear.

How to Replace Back Wheel Bearings

Replacing back wheel bearings is not a difficult task, but it does require some mechanical knowledge and tools. If you're not comfortable working on your car, it's best to take it to a mechanic.

Here are the steps on how to replace back wheel bearings:

1. Gather your tools and materials. You will need a jack, jack stands, a lug wrench, a socket wrench, a hammer, a chisel, and new wheel bearings.
2. Jack up your car and secure it on jack stands. Make sure your car is parked on a level surface and that the parking brake is engaged.
3. Remove the lug nuts and wheels. Use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts, then remove the wheels.
4. Remove the brake caliper. Use the socket wrench to remove the bolts that hold the brake caliper in place. Then, carefully remove the brake caliper and hang it from the suspension with a piece of wire.
5. Remove the rotor. Use the hammer and chisel to remove the rotor from the wheel hub.
6. Remove the wheel bearing. Use the socket wrench to remove the bolts that hold the wheel bearing in place. Then, carefully remove the wheel bearing.
7. Install the new wheel bearing. Insert the new wheel bearing into the wheel hub. Then, tighten the bolts that hold the wheel bearing in place.
8. Reinstall the rotor. Place the rotor onto the wheel hub. Then, tighten the bolts that hold the rotor in place.
9. Reinstall the brake caliper. Carefully place the brake caliper back onto the wheel hub. Then, tighten the bolts that hold the brake caliper in place.
10. Reinstall the wheels and lug nuts. Place the wheels back on the wheel hubs. Then, tighten the lug nuts by hand.
11. Lower your car. Slowly lower your car off the jack stands. Then, use the lug wrench to tighten the lug nuts further.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are a few common mistakes that people make when replacing back wheel bearings. These mistakes can lead to further damage to your car, so it's important to avoid them.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when replacing back wheel bearings:

• Using the wrong tools. It's important to use the correct tools when replacing back wheel bearings. Using the wrong tools can damage your car or make the job more difficult.
• Not tightening the bolts properly. The bolts that hold the wheel bearing in place must be tightened properly. If they are not tightened properly, the wheel bearing can come loose and cause serious damage to your car.
• Ignoring the signs of a bad wheel bearing. If you ignore the signs of a bad wheel bearing, it can lead to more serious damage to your car. It's important to replace a bad wheel bearing as soon as possible.

The table below shows the average cost of replacing back wheel bearings in different parts of the country.

FAQs About Back Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost

Here are some FAQs about back wheel bearing replacement cost:

• How much does it cost to replace back wheel bearings? The cost to replace back wheel bearings varies depending on the make and model of your car, as well as the location of the repair. However, the average cost is between $150 and $400.
• How often should I replace my back wheel bearings? Back wheel bearings typically last for 100,000 to 150,000 miles. However, they may need to be replaced sooner if you drive in harsh conditions, such as on rough roads or in salty environments.
• What are the signs of a bad back wheel bearing? The signs of a bad back wheel bearing include:
• A grinding or humming noise when you drive
• A wobbling or loose wheel
• Uneven tire wear
• Increased fuel consumption