Today’s vehicles have become more efficient than the vehicles used in early times. Because some things are installed in today’s vehicles that help them to run smoothly and effortlessly. The best example of such a component is the wheel bearings to make the car wheels to rotate freely. As the bearing is a mechanical component, so it can wear and tear with time and use and cause problems, therefore to prevent such problems, you have to replace the wheel bearings. Here you will know about when the wheel bearings should be replaced and why.
When the wheel bearings should be replaced?
The wheel bearings are present in the center of the wheels and are attached to both wheel and the axle. Its main function is to make the rotation of the wheels easier and smoother. These are the ring like structure which consist of the ball bearing and the tapered bearings which roll when the wheels start its movement. In traditional wheels, there were no bearings between the wheels and the axle. The axle is inserted into the wheel. When the vehicles start to run, the rotating wheels slide over the axle and make it overheated. This heat can make the wheels to catch fire while running which stops the vehicle from going into high speeds. The wheel bearings prevent this situation. They have the ball bearings in them which roll while the wheel starts to rotate and they prevent any slipping between the moving parts.
Like other parts, the wheel bearings can also get a wear and tear. They begin to malfunction due to various reasons-
- Bad quality of the wheel bearings
- Driving over potholes and speed bumps frequently
- Diving through mud or a deep water
- Bearings are not installed properly
Basically, the wheel bearings are to be replaced once in every 85000 – 100000 miles. But if the quality of the bearing is low, then their life is also low and you have to replace term more frequently. Knowing the signs is very important before you diagnose the signs because it will help you in identifying the cause of the problem easily and you can fix the problem accordingly without wasting your time and energy on some detailed inspection. Here are some common signs of wheel bearing issue.
Strange sounds
You will find some strange sounds from under the car like clicking, humming, squeaking, growling, etc. When the bearings wear, it stops moving smoothly, hence such bearings cause such strange sounds.
Car pulling to one side
If one of the wheels has its bearings worn, then it would not rotate freely as compared to the wheels, so the car would not run straight, it would make the car to turn to that side where the faulty bearing is there.
ABS light
If the ABS light is glowing, then know that there can be the problem in the wheel bearings. The ABS would not work properly or stop working if the bearing is worn.
Steering wheel shakes
If you find that your steering wheel is shaking, then faulty bearing can be the reason. The rough rotation of the wheels makes the steering wheel to shake.
Importance of replacement of the wheel bearings
In the absence of wheel bearings, the wheel rotates over the axle as it slides over axle surface, the friction between both the surface would oppose the movement and some of its energy is lost in the form of heat. When the bearing is installed, the rolling friction between the ball bearings and the axle is very low. Hence the wheels having such bearings rotate smoothly and effortlessly. As the wheels start to rotate freely, the losses are very low and the efficiency of the vehicle is increased. this is beneficial for the car owners. A good wheel bearing helps the car to perform well and save the fuel.
But sometimes the bearings wear and tear due to carelessness of the people in driving or while installing it which make it bad. Then you can find your car wheel would not be rotating properly as it should be. In such cases it is better to get the bearings replaced. The bad bearings can cause many such problems which can lead you to trouble. The bad bearings can cause some various disturbing sounds. Bad bearing can lead to serious performance issues and make your engine and the drive train more stressed as you would not be able to rotate it. It would cause vibrations that can be very annoying thing for you. There would also be stability issues if any of the wheel bearing is damaged and it would not be able to rotate properly as compared to others. The ABS would not work properly due to worn bearings. So, to save the other components from damage, you have to change the bearings.
Conclusion
To be safe from troubles on road, get your car wheel bearing changed if they are faulty. Get the work done as soon as possible at the authorized repair centers.
