How long can you drive with a bad front 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.
If you ignore bad wheel bearings, your wheel could stop working while driving, or you could have issues steering your car. In addition to the danger, it can put a lot of strain on other parts of your vehicle, such as the hub, CV joint, and transmission.
If your wheel bearing fails, it can cause the wheel to stop while you are driving or possibly even to fall off. At the very least, before a wheel falls off, a failed wheel bearing can/will cause significant damage to your vehicle, so it's very important to keep an eye on these and keep them maintained.
If you drive the vehicle with a bad bearing it will just seize up on you. It may also damage the axle and the axle housing depending on the configuration. It's not worth it to take a chance on driving the vehicle. There is no shortcuts or short term fixes.
If a bearing gets really hot, cages and seals could be deformed and lead to bearing lock-up. This may feel like the parking brake has been applied and you may notice resistance when you accelerate. You'll want to have this checked out immediately.
How can you stop a wheel bearing making noise? Unfortunately you can't: the only solution to a worn, noisy wheel bearing is to have it replaced by a garage; bearings are not repairable.
The first sign of bearing failure is excessive vibration. Following this, the bearing will begin to heat up past acceptable levels and produce excessive noises, either high-pitched or grinding.
The cost to replace one front-wheel hub assembly varies widely. Some variables include the make and model, the garage's labor rate and the cost for parts. The national average is about $350 to fix the wheel bearings at one wheel. As you might imagine, however, luxury brands cost more.
The noise may get worse when turning, or it may disappear momentarily. So, it's challenging to make a diagnosis based on noise alone. Components like tires, CB joints and brakes can mimic wheel bearing noise.
How long does a wheel bearing last? Wheel bearings have an average lifespan of 136,000 to 160,000 km (approximately 85,000 to 100,000 miles). This is only a rule of thumb though, the actual lifespan of a wheel bearing depends on the quality of the wheel bearing and the operating conditions.
How long does it cost to fix a wheel bearing?
Following that, the cost for a wheel bearing averages between $50 to $120, while a new wheel hub could set you back by $200 to $500. The labor charges for a wheel bearing replacement can fall between $60 to $300. And changing the wheel bearing usually takes around 1 to 1.5 hours.
So replacing a bad bearing as soon as possible will save on more expensive repairs later. Typically, you shouldn't exceed 1,000 miles on a bad wheel bearing.
However you fix them, it's essential to get your bearings repaired if they are noisy or worn. If you just turn up the radio and ignore the rumbling they will damage and wear other, more expensive components, burn more fuel, and could even be a safety issue.
Once you notice any sign indicating a bad wheel bearing, avoid exceeding 500 miles with that issue. A failing wheel bearing will increase your difficulty in driving. But with a high-quality wheel bearing, you can drive for another 1000 miles as per the estimate.
“The key is to listen to your car. Most times, a failing wheel bearing will exhibit a growling type of noise that changes with vehicle speed. The faster the car, the faster the frequency of the growl.”
Over time, wheel bearings can wear out due to constant use, exposure to road conditions, and lack of maintenance. Common signs of a failing wheel bearing include unusual noises such as grinding or humming coming from the wheel, vibration, uneven tyre wear, and excessive play or looseness in the wheel.
Your wheel bearings have a heavy impact on the handling of your vehicle. It would be extremely dangerous to drive with old wheel bearings, as it may cause your wheels to stop turning entirely and abruptly. You should expect to replace wheel bearings every 85,000-100,000 miles.
The time taken to replace a wheel bearing is also slightly different depending on whether the bearing is on the front or rear wheel. A front wheel bearing replacement on average takes around 90 minutes, whereas a rear wheel bearing replacement takes on average just under 1 hour.
The most common failure pattern for wheel bearings is for those on the passenger side of the vehicle to fail first. The passenger side bearings are exposed to the most standing water in the gutter.
You shouldn't make a habit of driving with a bad wheel bearing. While you are able to drive up to 1,000 miles if you have one, you should have a bad wheel bearing replaced or fixed in the very near future.
Can a bad wheel bearing affect acceleration?
Since wheel bearings are what your tires spin on, they can reduce your acceleration as they fail. Due to poor lubrication or rust, wheel bearings can start to perform worse, and they won't let your vehicle acceleration freely.
This not only takes more time, but also requires additional materials for example, a new car wheel hub. Normally, a wheel bearing can be changed in about 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the model. If the bearing is stuck, the time required can double.
To avoid this situation, it is recommended to drive at a slower speed so that your wheel stays in action for a few more hours. S0, while thinking how long can you drive on a bad bearing? You should not go more than 1000 miles as it might result in some bigger issues.
Wheel bearings have an average lifespan of 136,000 to 160,000 km (approximately 85,000 to 100,000 miles). This is only a rule of thumb though, the actual lifespan of a wheel bearing depends on the quality of the wheel bearing and the operating conditions.
The national average is about $350 to fix the wheel bearings at one wheel. As you might imagine, however, luxury brands cost more. Please note: If the wheel bearings need replacing at one wheel, you don't necessary need to replace the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle. It's not like matching a pair of tires.
