Wheel Bearings Minnesota

Every wheel on every vehicle spins around thanks to smaller wheel bearings. The bearings themselves contain rollers that spin around inside a cage to bear the load of the vehicle on the axles. The rollers are often tapered, or angled, against the cones in which they spin in order to handle the immense loads placed against the wheels when turning right or left. With proper care and lubrication, most wheel bearings should roll down the highway for over 100,000 miles with no complaints.

When bearings do complain the noise is usually speed-specific—the noise varies according to the speed of the spinning wheel in which it is contained. Clicks, rumbles and groans that vary with vehicle speed may indicate a bearing that has lost its ability to handle the load. Another good way to check wheel bearings without disassembly is to jack the wheel in question up off the ground, grab it from both the top and the bottom, and attempt to move it. There should be very little or no movement at all.

If your wheel bearings are A-OK, the best way to keep them that way is with regular lubrication. A sensible time to check and lubricate the wheel bearings is when brake service is performed, as removal of calipers and rotors will allow access to the wheel bearing. While some bearings are relatively easy to inspect and service, others are pressed onto axles, and even worse are the captured bearing type. Specialized tools and procedures make captured bearing service best left to the professional.

Author: Mike Bumbeck

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