The Complete Guide to NAPA Auto Parts Wheel Bearings: Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

Wheel bearings are an essential component of any vehicle, and they play a vital role in ensuring a smooth and safe ride. When wheel bearings fail, it can lead to a variety of problems, including increased noise, vibration, and even a complete loss of control of the vehicle. That's why it's important to have your wheel bearings inspected and replaced regularly, especially if you drive in harsh conditions or on rough roads.

What Are Wheel Bearings?

Wheel bearings are precision-engineered components that allow the wheels of a vehicle to rotate smoothly and with minimal friction. They are typically located inside the wheel hub or axle assembly, and they consist of a series of metal balls or rollers that are held in place by a cage.

Types of Wheel Bearings

There are two main types of wheel bearings:

• Ball bearings: These bearings use small, round balls to reduce friction between the rotating surfaces.
• Roller bearings: These bearings use cylindrical rollers to reduce friction.

How Do Wheel Bearings Work?

Wheel bearings work by reducing the friction between the rotating surfaces of the wheel hub and the axle. This allows the wheels to rotate smoothly and with minimal resistance, which helps to improve fuel efficiency and reduce wear and tear on other components.

Signs of Wheel Bearing Failure

There are a few telltale signs that may indicate that your wheel bearings are failing. These include:

• Increased noise: A whining or grinding noise coming from the wheels is a common sign of wheel bearing failure.
• Vibration: You may feel a vibration in the steering wheel, seat, or floorboard when you drive, especially at higher speeds.
• Loose or wobbly wheels: If the wheel bearings are worn, the wheels may feel loose or wobbly when you drive.
• Increased wear on tires: Wheel bearing failure can cause the tires to wear unevenly, which can reduce their lifespan.

Causes of Wheel Bearing Failure

There are a number of factors that can contribute to wheel bearing failure, including:

• Excessive wear and tear: This is the most common cause of wheel bearing failure. Over time, the bearings will wear down and become less effective at reducing friction.
• Impact damage: Hitting a curb or other object can damage the wheel bearings and cause them to fail prematurely.
• Water contamination: Water can get into the wheel bearings and cause them to rust or corrode, which can lead to failure.
• Lack of lubrication: If the wheel bearings are not properly lubricated, they can overheat and fail.

How to Replace Wheel Bearings

Replacing wheel bearings is a relatively complex task that requires specialized tools and knowledge. If you are not comfortable working on your own vehicle, it is best to take it to a mechanic for service.

However, if you do want to replace the wheel bearings yourself, here are the steps involved:

1. Gather your tools and materials. You will need the following:

   • A floor jack
   • Jack stands
   • A wheel chock
   • A lug wrench
   • A socket wrench
   • A hammer
   • A chisel
   • A new wheel bearing

2. Safely raise and secure your vehicle. Use the floor jack to raise your vehicle and the jack stands to support it. Place a wheel chock behind the wheels opposite the ones you are working on.

3. Remove the wheel. Use the lug wrench to remove the lug nuts and the wheel.

   

4. Remove the brake caliper. Use the socket wrench to remove the bolts that hold the brake caliper in place. Hang the caliper from the frame or suspension with a bungee cord or wire.

5. Remove the rotor. Use the socket wrench to remove the bolts that hold the rotor in place. Pull the rotor off of the hub.

6. Remove the old wheel bearing. Use the hammer and chisel to carefully remove the old wheel bearing from the hub.

7. Install the new wheel bearing. Press the new wheel bearing into the hub using a hydraulic press or a special tool made for this purpose.

8. Reassemble the components. Re-install the rotor, brake caliper, wheel, and lug nuts. Torque the lug nuts to the specified torque.

9. Lower your vehicle. Remove the jack stands and lower your vehicle to the ground.

10. Test drive your vehicle. Take your vehicle for a test drive to make sure that the new wheel bearings are working properly.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you replace wheel bearings safely and effectively:

• Use a hydraulic press if possible. A hydraulic press will make it much easier to remove and install the wheel bearings.
• Be careful not to damage the hub. When removing the old wheel bearing, be careful not to damage the hub. If you do damage the hub, you will need to replace it.
• Lubricate the new wheel bearing. Before installing the new wheel bearing, be sure to lubricate it with a high-quality wheel bearing grease.
• Torque the lug nuts to the specified torque. It is important to torque the lug nuts to the specified torque to ensure that the wheel is properly secured.

Interesting Stories

Here are a few interesting stories about wheel bearing failure:

• A few years ago, a man was driving down the highway when he heard a loud noise coming from his car. He pulled over and discovered that one of his wheel bearings had failed. The wheel had actually come off of the car and rolled down the highway! Fortunately, the man was able to stop his car safely and avoid a serious accident.
• A woman was driving to work when she felt a vibration in her steering wheel. She ignored the vibration at first, but it eventually became so severe that she had to pull over. When she got out of her car, she discovered that one of her wheel bearings had completely failed. The wheel was so loose that it was about to fall off! The woman was lucky to have made it to the side of the road safely.
• A man was driving his truck when he hit a large pothole. The impact of the pothole caused one of his wheel bearings to fail. The man lost control of his truck and crashed into a ditch. Fortunately, the man was not seriously injured, but his truck was totaled.

What We Learn

These stories all illustrate the importance of having your wheel bearings inspected and replaced regularly. Wheel bearing failure can be a serious safety hazard, and it can lead to costly repairs. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can help to prevent wheel bearing failure and keep your vehicle running safely.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when replacing wheel bearings:

• Do not use a hammer to install the new wheel bearing. This can damage the bearing and cause it to fail prematurely.
• Do not over-tighten the lug nuts. This can damage the wheel studs and make it difficult to remove the wheel in the future.
• Do not ignore the signs of wheel bearing failure. If you hear a noise or feel a vibration coming from your wheels, have your wheel bearings inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Wheel bearings are an essential component of any vehicle, and they play a vital role in ensuring a smooth and safe ride. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you can help to prevent wheel bearing failure and keep your vehicle running safely.