Wheel bearings are the component on which your car’s wheels spin. They’re integral to your car’s suspension system and help your wheels rotate with as minimal friction as possible while also supporting your vehicle’s weight. If you sense your wheel bearings need replacing, don’t hesitate to bring your car to a professional car mechanic in Wollongong. And if you’re not sure when you might need to replace your wheel bearings, read on – we’ve put together this helpful blog with all you need to know.

Signs your wheel bearings need to be replaced

There are several tell-tale signs indicating a wheel bearing replacement is needed. These include:

– Noise: If you hear a humming noise from your vehicle that gets stronger when you drive more quickly, or changes when you change direction, it’s likely a wheel bearing problem. A squeaking or grinding sound often means a loose wheel bearing.
– Wear: If your wheel bearings are loose, your tyres will wobble as you drive, leading to uneven wear.
– Pull: With a build-up of friction and heat in your wheel bearings, you may feel the steering wheel pulling to one side.

Causes of failed wheel bearings

Wheel bearings can deteriorate as a result of usual wear and tear, or from exposure to moisture and corrosion. Potholes and accidents can also cause damage to your bearings and lead to a replacement. Wheel bearings are usually made to last the lifetime of your vehicle.

Replacing a wheel bearing

If your wheel bearing comes as an assembly with hub and bolts to the steering knuckle or spindle, replacing it at home isn’t very difficult if you have the tools, skills and the manual. As the axle nut is large and tight and not easy to remove, it’s best to leave replacing your wheel bearings to the experts. Your mechanic will assess all wheel bearings and determine which will need to be replaced.

You might be wondering what happens if you don’t replace your wheel bearings. If things get bad enough, catastrophic axle failure can result. This usually concludes with the wheel separating from your car. It’s not something that happens often, but if neglect is extreme this sort of consequence can occur.

Sensing problems with your wheel bearings? Choose the experts at 1st Choice Mechanical

If you’ve got issues with your car’s wheel bearings, don’t settle for second-best. Take your vehicle to the experts at 1st Choice Mechanical. With over 30 years in the industry, we’re truly the experts when it comes to repairs and servicing of all makes and models. Our mechanics are on hand to help with repairs and to get your car running as good as new.

Contact us at (02) 4228 7949, if you want a fast quote or visit us at www.wollongongmechanical.com.au, if you want to learn more.

We service Figtree, Shoalhaven Heads, Mount Pleasant, Wollongong, Greenwell Point, Kiama, Corrimal, Warilla, Albion Park Rail, Worrigee and surrounding areas.