The Importance of Your Car’s Wheel Bearings
A wheel bearing is a crucial part of the wheel assembly that connects the wheel and

the axle. It is a set of steel balls (ball bearings) or tapers (tapered bearings), held

together by a metal ring. It enables the wheel to rotate smoothly with a minimum of

friction. Wheel bearings are safety critical components designed to sustain radial and

axial loads caused by gravitation, acceleration, breaking & cornering forces, so they need

to be replaced when they stop working properly.
Faulty installation – inappropriate tools such as a hammer or an impact wrench can

cause damage to the exterior and or interior of the wheel end bearing causing the wheel

bearing to fail prematurely.  Also, re-using the old accessories such as bolts, nuts,

circlips, split pins, seals,… instead of replacing them with new ones can cause the wheel

end bearing to operate under abnormal or unsafe conditions, increasing wheel end bearing

wear and risk of a car accident. 
Impact damage or poor road quality – all impacts from driving through a pothole,

driving over speed bumps or hitting the curbstone can damage a wheel bearing and reduce

its lifespan.
Poor quality wheel bearing – a wheel bearing is continuously under enormous pressure.

Wheel bearings constructed of low-quality

materials can have poor heat-treatment, resulting in premature wear and failure.
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.
Car modifications – fitting bigger or wider rims, tires with lower thread walls,

stiffer shock absorbers and suspension springs cause higher loads on the wheel bearing and

can accelerate wear. Stick to rims, tires, shock absorbers and springs that are specified

by the car manufacturer to minimize the impact on the longevity of the wheel bearings.
It’s very rare for wheel bearings to fail immediately and completely after you notice

the first symptom(s). 
Having said that, it is best to avoid driving with a worn wheel bearing for any length

of time. As we’ve already seen, the wheel bearing is essential for connecting your wheel

to your car, and any weakness in this connection could have severe consequences for your

drive-axle and steering assembly – as well as for your safety.
Replacing your wheel bearings
Despite the fact that modern

auto bearing are easier to install than previous generations, correct installation,

the usage of appropriate tools and respecting the specified torque values are still

essential for maximum performance, durability and safety. Therefore, we recommend having

your wheel bearings fitted by a professional mechanic that has the skills and the tools to

do the job.  
The content contained in this article is for entertainment and informational purposes

only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified

technician or mechanic. We encourage you to consult with a certified technician or

mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered

herein. Under no circumstances will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your

reliance on any content.
The increasing preference for personal mobility in the post-COVID period will boost

the growth of automobiles and components such as

agriculture

machinery bearing. Additionally, the Indian automotive bearings market is expected

to benefit from the shift of production lines of the global automotive bearings

manufacturers to the emerging economies.
Nachi-Fujikoshi, a prominent manufacturer of automotive bearings, has announced its

plan to move its production of general-purpose bearings from Japan and Taiwan to Thailand.

The move is to reduce production costs for automotive bearings. The recent introduction of

production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes for automotive components by the government of

India will play a crucial role in attracting global players to set up manufacturing

facilities in India.
The growing demand for light-weight and durable bearings from the automotive industry

is leading the prominent bearing manufacturers such as SKF India, Schaeffler India, and

NRB Bearings to focus on adopting new raw materials, instead of traditional high-grade

steel. For instance, SKF India is manufacturing automotive bearings with alloys that are

10%-12% lighter than traditional bearings made from high-grade steel. The vendors are

increasing spending on R&D for the development of lightweight technology. In 2019,

Schaeffler India spent 1.34% of revenue on R & D.
Auto mechanics all over the country take advantage of the public’s limited knowledge

about automotive mechanics and engineering. Many drivers assume that their mechanic knows

more about the subject of what’s going on with their cars than they do, and feel they

have no choice but to trust their “expert” opinions. This happens frequently with

recommended part replacements—especially with wheel bearings.
Wheel bearings play an integral role in your car’s overall functioning and

performance. Wheel bearings can indeed become damaged or worn out over time, and under

these circumstances it is critical to replace them if need be. However, this is one of the

opportunities that automotive shops seize to upsell their product and services. If you’ve

ever heard the phrase, “well, if you’ve replaced one you should replace the other” then

you’ve likely overpaid for automotive services. In this article, we’ll talk about the

importance of wheel bearings for your car. We’ll also discuss when

industrial bearing

should realistically be replaced and what you can do to keep your car in excellent

condition moving forward.
Wheel bearings are critical for your car’s performance. They reside inside a wheel to

help the wheel rotate smoothly and competently by decreasing the amount of friction

created by other various parts of the drivetrain system. When wheel bearings become

damaged or require replacement, it can lead to devastating effects if not replaced

properly. When wheel bearings are not replaced with the proper tools, equipment, and

attention to detail, it can cause further, more significant damage to the part over time.

Bearing assemblies are a simple mechanical design, but their function is essential to the

smooth rotation of your wheels. When one wheel bearing goes bad, it can cause a concerning

noise coming from your wheel, especially at higher speeds, and it can cause other gradual

side effects to your alignment and wheel balance.
When Wheel Bearings Need to Be Replaced
Wheel bearings are made of tough, durable material, which means that they generally

last a long time in cars. However, they can still require replacement under the right

circumstances. If you have noticed any strange noises coming from your wheel as you’re

driving, consider if any of the following could apply to your car:
Accident Damage
Although wheel bearings are sturdy parts alone, the impact from an accident can cause

the auto

wheel bearing to become damaged. After the rough impact of a car accident,

especially if the accident was a side impact, it’s common to encounter broken seals in

the bearing assembly, which leads to a contaminated bearing. When grease gets inside

through a broken seal, it causes too much friction, which can chip the bearings and cause

them to begin to malfunction.
Improper Installation
Wheel bearings need to be replaced under somewhat rare circumstances, including when

they are replaced improperly to begin with. Whenever a wheel bearing or a bearing assembly

is replaced, the wheels should be balanced and aligned in order to prevent further damage.

This can save you a lot of money in the long run, all you need to do is find an honest

mechanic!
Engineering Defect
Automotive engineering is not a perfect science; many vehicle parts come with defects

and wear issues. Cars that are well designed generally have fewer defects, but some cars

were simply manufactured with a propensity for wheel bearing issues somewhere throughout

the course of the vehicle’s life.
Usually automotive shops recommend that if one wheel bearing becomes damaged that the

corresponding wheel’s bearing should also be replaced (i.e. front driver’s side and

front passenger’s side). While this might make sense for the sake of symmetry, depending

on the condition of the other wheel bearing it is usually not necessary to replace both

for this reason alone. Here at Santa Barbara Autowerks we pride ourselves on honesty and

integrity; we don’t offer services or replacements to our clients unless they’re

necessary for their safety or will save them money and energy in the future. As one of the

highest quality leading dealership alternatives in Santa Barbara, CA, we tailor our

services to German-engineered vehicles, making us experts in German vehicle repair and

maintenance. We are passionate about and highly experienced in working with cars like

Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, MINI, and Volkswagen. If you think your German car’s wheel

bearing might need to be replaced, please contact us for an honest, expert opinion without

a hidden agenda.