Meta Description: The average front wheel bearing replacement cost is $60 to $800. If you need a more accurate estimate, use the RepairPal Fair Price Estimator.
The Average Cost for Front Wheel Bearing Replacement Is $60 to $800, Depending on if You Go to the Mechanic or DIY.
This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles, and it doesn’t consider taxes, fees, or your particular make and model. You could also need related repairs or maintenance, such as rear wheel bearing replacement, wheel alignment, or tire rotation. For a more accurate estimate based on your make, model, and location, use the RepairPal Fair Price Estimator.
Cost at the Mechanic: $250 to $800
Parts: $60 to $400
Labor: $150 to $400
Front wheel bearings enable your vehicle’s front wheels to spin with minimal friction, and they’re vital for a smooth, quiet, and safe ride. On some vehicles, you can have just the front wheel bearings replaced, while wheel bearings are integrated with the wheel hub assembly on other cars. A front wheel bearing replacement usually takes about two hours. They can last more than 100,000 miles before needing replacement.
Cost to DIY: $60 to $400
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Parts Needed:
- Front wheel bearing
- Wheel hub
- Wheel bearing snap ring
You can save a few hundred dollars if you decide to replace a front wheel bearing yourself instead of using a mechanic. However, replacing this part requires a few specialized tools. A mechanic may be worth the extra money for people who don’t have the time, equipment, knowledge, or experience to remove and replace their vehicle’s wheel bearings and other vital parts.
What Is a Front Wheel Bearing?
The front wheel bearing is a set of tightly packed steel balls or rollers in a waterproof, grease-filled, sealed metal ring or case called a race. Each wheel has one or more of these housings inside the wheel hub. Wheel bearings on all four wheels support the entire weight of a vehicle. They help minimize friction around the axles as the car wheels spin, helping to prevent wear and damage to the parts around them.
What Does a Front Wheel Bearing Replacement Include?
during a front wheel bearing replacement, a mechanic will first remove the wheel and brake caliper. The mechanic will then add new bearings or replace the hub if it is a sealed unit, clean the area around them, and apply grease or oil before reassembling the brakes and putting the wheel back on.
You may need to leave your vehicle at the shop overnight. The components around the wheel hub and bearing can corrode and rust, particularly in northern climates. The mechanic may spray penetrating oil around these parts and let them soak overnight, making them easier to remove the next day.
Many people also get new brake pads and rotors at this time. They have to be removed for most wheel bearing replacements anyway, so installing these new parts doesn’t usually add any labor costs. A front wheel bearing replacement usually takes one or two hours for a mechanic.
On some vehicles, you may also need a wheel alignment after replacing the front wheel bearings. This would be true if parts of the suspension, such as the front struts, need to be disconnected during the replacement process on your particular vehicle.
What Happens If You Don’t Get a Front Wheel Bearing Replacement?
If you don’t get front wheel bearings replaced when needed, you could notice noises or vibrations while driving. At worst, a front wheel can stop spinning or even fall off the car entirely.
A bad front wheel bearing could reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and eventually damage your vehicle’s constant velocity (CV) joints, which connect the drive shafts to your car’s transmission and wheels.
How Often to Get a Front Wheel Bearing Replacement
Wheel bearings in many cars last for more than 100,000 miles. They’re not likely to fail before then unless your vehicle sustains damage. For example, you could hit a pothole, a tall curb, or a speed bump while driving fast. Water, mud, sand, or road salt that gets past the wheel hub seal and touches the bearings could contaminate the grease around them. Without repairs to the wheel hub seal, this problem could eventually lead to excess wear and premature failure of the front wheel bearings.
Unlike many other parts, such as air filters, front-wheel bearings are not typically included in the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. After driving 75,000 miles, have a mechanic check your wheel bearings every 15,000 miles so you can replace them promptly and prevent additional damage from worn wheel bearings. You can check your vehicle’s owner’s manual or use the free FIXD app for accurate maintenance schedules.
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Common Signs You Need to Get a Front Wheel Bearing Replacement
- Additional vibrations in the steering wheel or seat
- Uneven or excessive tire wear
- One or more wobbly wheels that you can move when the car is raised on a jack or lift
- Difficulty turning
- Steering that tends to pull or drift to one side
- A delay between turning the wheel and the movement of the vehicle
- A grinding or rattling noise that gets louder as your car speeds up and then gets quieter when you slow down
- A humming, clicking, squealing, or growling sound
- Failure of the antilock brake system (ABS)
Related Maintenance Services
These services are commonly performed at the same time as a front wheel bearing replacement:
- Replacing brake pads and rotors
- Wheel alignment
- Tire rotation
Never Miss Important Maintenance Again With FIXD
Get the FIXD sensor and free app today for a custom maintenance schedule based on your vehicle’s make, model, and mileage. FIXD sends automated maintenance alerts directly to your phone, so you’ll never forget essential maintenance like wheel bearing replacements, oil changes, brake pad replacements, and tire rotations. FIXD can even track your car’s tire, wiper, and battery life to help you keep it running smoothly. Get FIXD today and take the stress out of car care. It’s that simple.
At FIXD, our mission is to make car ownership as simple, easy, and affordable as possible. Our research team utilizes the latest automotive data and insights to create tools and resources that help drivers get peace of mind and save money over the life of their car.
