What happens when a wheel bearing is loose?
What happens when a wheel bearing is loose?
In many modern cars, the wheel bearing comes with the hub as an assembly. It bolts to the steering knuckle or spindle. If a wheel bearing is loose, the ABS sensor might not read properly causing the ABS warning light to come on. In some wheel bearings, the tone ring is built into one of the side seals of the bearing.
How often do wheel bearings need to be replaced?
As we mentioned, in many cars wheel bearings can last the lifetime of a vehicle. In our experience, a vehicle might need one wheel bearing replaced within 150,000 miles. To make the wheel bearings last longer, watch out for potholes and drive slower over speed bumps.
Where does a wheel bearing go in a car?
In many cars a wheel bearing comes together with a hub as an assembly. Tapered roller bearings like this one come in pairs, one larger bearing, one smaller bearing. It bolts to the steering knuckle or spindle.
Why does ABS warning light come on when wheel bearing is loose?
It bolts to the steering knuckle or spindle. If a wheel bearing is loose, the ABS sensor might not read properly causing the ABS warning light to come on. In some wheel bearings, the tone ring is built into one of the side seals of the bearing. If a wheel bearing is installed with the wrong side facing the sensor, the ABS system will also not work.
When do you need to replace a wheel bearing?
If the steering knuckle needs to be removed to replace the wheel bearing on your car, you may also need to replace some suspension components like a lower ball joint or tie rod end as these can be damaged during removal if they are old or worn.
What kind of wheel bearings do Subaru have?
The 2005 and up Legacy & Outback have had some significant problems with the rear wheel bearings and Subaru has extended the warranty on the rear wheel bearings to 100k on the affected vehicles.
Why does my car make a bad wheel bearing noise?
That doesn’t sound like a wheel bearing issue unless it is accompanied by a hum or roar at higher speeds going straight. If it is a bad wheel bearing the sound should slowly get worse with time. The noise you’re experiencing may be due to your drum brakes so you may consider getting an inspection and cleaning of your rear brakes.
How do you replace wheel bearings on a Subaru Forester?
There is no special Subaru special tool needed to replace the bearing, like on the rear of the Forester, no “hub tamer” short cut tool needed to speed up the process.
