Have you been in a situation where your knowledge of car repair will be put to the test? What if your car breaks down in the middle of an expressway and you happen to be all by yourself? Would you know which part is which and where what goes with?
If your answer is a resounding no, then you may be in serious trouble. And by now you should have realized that you need to do some studying. Would you know for instance if you broke your wheel system and how much the cost to replace wheel bearing is?
A wheel bearing replacement cost depends on several different factors such as whether the entire set needs to be changed, the additional costs for labor, and the retail price of each material.
On average, wheel bearing prices range from a safe $460 to a ceiling of $630. This range only covers the bearing itself. As mentioned above, you still have to take into account the extra costs in requesting for your mechanic’s quotation.
Big trucks and vans, especially those that are being used for heavy work like deliveries have cheaper repair service costs. Since the bearing does not usually last longer for these vehicles, they are expected to ask for some maintenance more than cars that are relatively “modern” or newer.
Technology has become more and more advanced, so the newer cars have parts that are assumed to last for longer periods, even when caught in accidents. But of course, this means the wheel bearing prices cost more.
Aside from this, the degree of damage and difficulty of work matter in identifying the wheel bearing replacement cost.
Now, let us take a quick look at some facts about how wheel bearings work, how they get damaged, and some tips on having them replaced once they get irreparable.
What is a wheel bearing for?
According to an article on AxleAddict.com, a wheel bearing is a set of steel balls held together by a metal ring called a race. They help wheels spin fast with as little friction as possible. In a nutshell, the job of the bearing is to hold the bolts that link the tire onto the wheel.
When do you know that a wheel bearing is broken?
One very important skill that you need to have as a car owner is listening. Yes, you read that right. Most, if not all, of your vehicle’s parts can create their own sounds when placed beside or connected to the other parts. This is their natural mechanism.
You, therefore, have to know how each of the parts’ sound while driving or even while you are on stop. If the sound turns into a disturbing noise, then most probably there is something to be fixed.
As for a wheel bearing specifically, it is a little difficult to tell whether the noise is already calling for repair. This is because you have to drive first before you can identify it.
Usually, an expert mechanic would have the vehicle lifted up so he can inspect the entire wheel system. He will listen to the noise by using a stethoscope or screwdriver and by having someone run it to about 40 miles per hour. The mechanic will then be able to identify which bearing is not synced in sound.
Since the wheel bearing is expected to perform highly in any type of vehicle, it does not usually break that easily. It will take a long time before it wears off and need a replacement.
Also, it will not be necessary to replace both sides at once. If only one is affected, then save the other one that is still working. When the time comes that the entire set fails, you would definitely have to use your spare budget.
Asking for a mechanic’s help vs. doing it yourself
This is always a question of whether you are after saving money or having your vehicle fixed the faster way. The former would involve asking for a professional’s help, while the latter involves doing it on your own.
If you are going to do this on your own, you have to have both the tools and the perseverance to finish the task. It might be a little hard to do the shopping for the materials, especially if you are unaware of which ones have the best quality; so again, you have to do tons of research. There will not be any problem if you really are up to the tedious challenge.
Be sure to have the basic mechanic tools like a wrench or a press, so you can pull out all the other parts to reach into the bearing. Also, be mindful of disassembling and re-assembling everything that you remove or touch. If something goes missing, you might have more problems than you already have.
On the other hand, if you want to do this the easier way and if you are willing to spend time visiting or looking out for your most trusted repair shop, then you better call up that mechanic.
Handing this job over to “the man” will not only lessen your efforts but can also assure you of a good-quality work. Now it will only be a matter of looking for that mechanic.
Referrals from friends or family members who have already experienced a car dispute always work best. If not, you can always Google a repair shop that is nearby and can choose from there.
Since you want only the best advice for your wheel bearing problem, you may also want to pick those who are accredited by ASE or Automotive Service Excellence. They have a search engine that you could use to search all the accredited repair facilities in your area.
Then again, if you are on a tight budget and do not want to add up to the already pricey cost to replace the wheel bearing, then you can just opt to go for any technician available whose labor fee may be more affordable.