Can a front wheel have a different number of bearings on each side?

Asked by: Brenda Valdez

It’s not unusual for an asymmetric shaft (on some rear wheels or solid-crank bottom brackets, eg) to have different numbers of balls in one side vs the other. But it’s a little unusual for a standard front hub.

Are left and right front wheel bearings the same?

Yes they are the same part on both sides, and replaced in the exact same manner.

How many wheel bearings are on each wheel?

Each wheel has its own wheel bearings, so a typical car should have four sets total. Your wheel bearings have a heavy impact on the handling of your vehicle. It would be extremely dangerous to drive with old wheel bearings, as it may cause your wheels to stop turning entirely and abruptly.

Is there a difference between driver side and passenger side wheel bearings?

Front driver and passenger side wheel hub bearing assemblies on your vehicle are identical. If you desire replacement, you can get a written, itemized quote, and schedule the repair to suit your needs, by simply visiting YourMechanic’s wheel hub bearing replacement service page.

How many bearing are in the front wheel?

Bearing assemblies on front or rear non-driven axles are correctly termed “wheel bearings”, and they mount between a wheel hub and a simple spindle shaft. An all-wheel-drive vehicle would have four axle bearings.

Is it OK to replace just one wheel bearing?

If bearings go bad at one wheel, it is unnecessary to replace the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle. Don’t let someone talk you into work that is not needed. Get the price estimate for wheel bearing replacement for your make and model of car.

Do you need an alignment after replacing wheel bearing?

Yes, you will need alignment if you unbolt the knuckle. If you separate the ball joint, remove the axle from the knuckle, you can press the bearing in/out with the right tool.

How do you know which front wheel bearing is bad?

Quote from video: It typically gets louder the faster you go and it makes a howling noise almost like there's a lot of wind noise or tire noise more than normal.

How do I know if I have a bad CV axle or wheel bearing?

If you notice a grinding or grating noise coming from your wheel or tire, take note that this is very likely caused by a bad wheel bearing—especially if the noise gets louder as the vehicle accelerates. Another revealing sign of bad wheel bearings: A car that feels loose as you drive it.

Is an axle bearing the same as a wheel bearing?

The differences between front wheel bearings and axle bearings are significant. Wheel bearings are installed in pairs consisting of both inner and outer bearings, whereas axle bearings are installed as a single bearing and only support the outer end of the axle shaft.

When I turn right wheel bearing noise goes away?

The reason that the bearing noise goes away on right turns (or curves) is during that maneuver the weight of the vehicle shifts from the right to the left and that “unloading” of the right side wheel position takes some of the vehicle weight off of the right wheel bearing, usually just enough to make the noise go away.

How long will a wheel bearing last after it starts making noise?

Your car still has a good run time since the wheel bearings begin to make noise. That time is about 1,000 – 1,500 miles based on the distance the car has traveled since the bearings made the abnormal sound. However, this does not mean that you are allowed to be subjective when driving.

Does wheel bearing noise stops when braking?

The frequency of the noise will also change in proportion to vehicle speed, but will often go away or change when the brakes are lightly applied. Noise that only occurs when braking is likely a brake problem such as worn pads, not a bad wheel bearing.

What happens if a wheel bearing fails while driving?

If your wheel bearing fails, it can cause the wheel to stop while you are driving or possibly even to fall off. At the very least, before a wheel falls off, a failed wheel bearing can/will cause significant damage to your vehicle, so it’s very important to keep an eye on these and keep them maintained.

What causes a wheel bearing to go bad?

Driving Conditions



Frequently driving through mud, water, or road salt can cause wheel bearing malfunction. Contaminants can get past the seals and enter the bearings, which pollutes the grease and damages the bearings.

What is the average price to replace a wheel bearing?

Quote from video: Похожие запросы

How do I know if its left or right wheel bearing?

You can test this by gently swaying your car while driving slowly. If the noise lessens when you sway right, then the damaged bearing is likely on a left wheel bearing. If it lessens when you sway left, a right wheel bearing is likely broken.

Are wheel bearings the same?

There are two types of bearings: hub and wheel. Both employ the same physical characteristics of a bearing in that they house bearing spheres that are lubricated for spinning to allow the wheel to rotate. A major difference between the two is how they are assembled.

Which wheel bearing is bad when I turn right?

Quote from video: So it's the right front wheel bearing that's going. Bad.

When I turn right my wheel bearing noise goes away?

The reason that the bearing noise goes away on right turns (or curves) is during that maneuver the weight of the vehicle shifts from the right to the left and that “unloading” of the right side wheel position takes some of the vehicle weight off of the right wheel bearing, usually just enough to make the noise go away.

What does a loose wheel bearing sound like?

Squealing & Growling



The classic sounds of a bad wheel bearing are cyclic chirping, squealing and/or growling noise. You can also tell that the sound is related to wheel bearings if it changes in proportion to vehicle speed. The sound can get worse with every turn, or it can disappear momentarily.

Why is my front end humming?

If your car makes a humming noise, it could mean the differential needs lubricant, the transmission is failing or the universal joints or wheel bearings are wearing out. What to do about it: Pay close attention to what happens before and when your car starts making the sound.