Do My Wheel Bearings Need Replacing?
Every smart driver knows there are dues to be paid for the smooth ride. That durability in cold weather or the great performance on the summer family vacation is a result of a good maintenance program that keeps the car moving as it should. A vehicle is going to give out very firm clues of when there are problems. These warning signs, no matter how minor they may appear, need to be taken very seriously. The wheel bearings of your car will tell you long before a major breakdown that there are some problems that have to be taken care of as soon as possible.
What Are Wheel Bearings?
If you wonder what the wheel bearings are the answer is simple, and tells you how important they are. They keep the wheels on the automobile. That gives you a fairly good idea of the damage that can happen if the wheel bearings go bad. These are very durable parts to the automobile and the intention is that they should have a lifespan of 160,000 km or more. Thanks to the wheel bearings, the wheels can rotate freely and not create a lot of friction (needless to say, a car going 100km/h could generate enough friction to set the chassis on fire). They also support the weight of an automobile that could weigh close to 2 tons or more. When the wheel bearings are in great condition there are no problems.
Warning Signs Of Wheel Bearing Problems – Replacement Needed
Most wheel bearings are factory sealed and cannot be serviced, but replaced instead. They are packed with heavy lubrication and it is the seal that keeps contaminants from coming in. Leaky seals allow in both dirt and water. That can ultimately result in the wheel bearings to overheat (problems can also arise if the car has been in an accident or the wheel bearings were poorly installed in the first place).
The warning signal that comes from the car are noises coming out of the wheel. These can become loud rumbling sounds that cannot be ignored.
Another signal that danger is ahead will come from the steering wheel in addition to the wheels of the car. Both will begin to shake.
Driving forward is going to become increasingly more difficult as the condition of the wheel bearings gets progressively worse. These red alerts tell you that the car is becoming increasingly more dangerous to drive.
Attention is needed and it should not wait!
Source credits: https://www.germanformula.com/signs-that-your-wheel-bearings-needs-to-be-replaced/