Do I need an alignment after replacing rear wheel bearings?

Yes, you will need alignment if you unbolt the knuckle. If you separate the ball joint, remove the axle from the knuckle, you can press the bearing in/out with the right tool. I've done it a couple times borrowing a tool in order to keep my alignment.

Do wheel bearings affect alignment?

Sometimes a simple alignment is all you need but not always. A bad wheel bearing can have similar effects that poor alignment produces.

How do I know if I need a rear wheel alignment?

What causes rear wheels to go out of alignment?

Driving over potholes. Hitting curbs or road debris. Minor vehicle collisions. Bad shocks and struts or other suspension parts.

Will a bad rear wheel bearing cause vibration?

Vibrations and Shaky Ride – Failed wheel bearings produce an unfavorable ride. You'll experience vibrations and tremors as you travel as a result of an increase in friction in the wheels causing them to change position. Until the wheel bearings are replaced, the shakiness will persist and may even worsen.

How to Tell if Your Car Needs an Alignment

Can I just replace one wheel bearing?

If bearings go bad at one wheel, it is unnecessary to replace the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle.

What makes rear axle bearings go bad?

Driving conditions – driving through deep water or mud can cause your wheel bearings to fail. Water, mud or other contaminants such as dust or road salt could get past the seals and enter the bearing, polluting the grease and wearing away the bearings.

How much does it cost to replace rear wheel bearings?

The cost of a complete rear wheel bearing replacement will be somewhere in area of $240 to $460. Parts will on average be between $100 and $180. The labor costs will be around $140 to $280.

What do bad rear wheel bearings sound like?

The classic sounds of a bad wheel bearing are cyclic chirping, squealing and/or growling noise. You can also tell that the sound is related to wheel bearings if it changes in proportion to vehicle speed. The sound can get worse with every turn, or it can disappear momentarily.

How long does it take to replace a wheel bearing?

Replacing a single wheel bearing can take 90 to 120 minutes depending on the type of vehicle and complexity. There are a lot of moving parts that need to be maintained and properly sealed to complete this type of work.

How much does it cost to get a wheel bearing pressed?

Pressed-On Unit

While the cost of the bearing drastically diminishes (usually these run between $25.00-50.00) the labor involved to replace the bearing goes up, usually to the tune of 2-4 hours to replace ($160-400.00).

Can bad wheel bearing affect transmission?

A faulty wheel bearing will affect many other important components on your vehicle like the hub, CV joint, axle and even the transmission. Even worse, if a damaged wheel bearing fails completely, the wheel will seize and you will have an accident.

Will a bad wheel bearing throw a code?

A wheel bearing isn't often considered an ABS component, but it directly involves it and if failed, will throw the system into error mode. If a wheel bearing is significantly worn to the point where the wheel can wobble about its axis, more than likely an ABS speed sensor code will be stored.

When replacing wheel bearings should both be replaced?

Two schools of thought. 1 - If one is bad and one is good, replace the bad one and worry about the "good" one when it goes "bad". 2 - Considering the age and mileage, if one is bad, the other isn't far behind. Replace both while you're at it to save time.

Will a new wheel bearing make noise?

Usually wheel bearings make a roaring noise, or grinding noise, it sounds like normal road noise just 5 times louder; and it starts as soon as the wheels start turning, but grows louder the faster you go.

How long should rear wheel bearings last?

Although wheel bearings are engineered to last the entire lifespan of your vehicle, they can break and get worn out. Most wheel bearings last about 85,000 to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced. Some vehicles have wheel bearings that last a lot longer, and some vehicles need them replaced fairly quickly.

Can alignment cause noise?

Alignment issues can also cause tire noises. As you travel, the air chamber produces a low humming or drumming sound. If your car is overdue for a wheel alignment, then you'll start to experience a bumpier ride. This will cause irregular tire movement and make the sounds coming from the air chamber louder.

How long can I drive on a bad wheel bearing?

Typically, you shouldn't exceed 1,000 miles on a bad wheel bearing. Driving for distances longer than 1,000 miles could lead to serious complications with your vehicle. Continuing to put stress on this wheel bearing will also hurt the hub, CV joint, and even the transmission.

Can you replace a wheel bearing without replacing the hub?

Your wheel bearing may have been damaged slightly in the past and has now worn to the point it is starting to make noise. Your mechanic is correct in that the only repair for the bearing is to replace the hub. It is a sealed unit and cannot be disassembled without destroying it.

Is it worth replacing wheel bearings?

Q: “When should I replace my wheel bearings?” A: Eventually, all wheel bearings wear out and will need to be replaced. Assuming normal service under typical driving conditions, the newer, “hub-assembly” style bearings found on most modern vehicles should last around 100,000 miles when maintained properly.

Is a hub bearing the same as a wheel bearing?

A major difference between the two is how they are assembled. Wheel bearings can be taken apart, lubricated and reassembled to be used again. Hub bearings are pre-packed at the manufacturer's factory and are sold and installed as a complete unit. These cannot be taken apart for re-lubrication, but must be replaced.