Everything You Need to Know About AutoZone Wheel Bearings

Wheel bearings are essential components of your vehicle's suspension system. They allow the wheels to spin smoothly and freely, and they help to reduce friction and wear on the tires.

Types of AutoZone Wheel Bearings

There are two main types of wheel bearings:

• Tapered roller bearings are the most common type of wheel bearing. They are made up of a cone-shaped inner race, a roller-shaped outer race, and a set of tapered rollers.
• Ball bearings are less common than tapered roller bearings. They are made up of a set of ball bearings that are held in place by a retainer.

Signs of a Bad AutoZone Wheel Bearing

There are a few signs that can indicate that your wheel bearings are going bad. These signs include:

• A grinding or growling noise coming from the wheels
• A vibration in the steering wheel or the seat
• Loose or wobbly wheels
• Premature tire wear

Causes of Bad AutoZone Wheel Bearings

There are a few things that can cause wheel bearings to go bad. These causes include:

• Improper installation
• Excessive wear and tear
• Damage from road hazards
• Lack of lubrication

How to Replace AutoZone Wheel Bearings

Replacing wheel bearings is a job that is best left to a professional mechanic. However, if you are confident in your mechanical abilities, you can follow these steps to replace the wheel bearings yourself:

1. Gather the necessary tools and materials. You will need a jack, jack stands, a lug wrench, a socket wrench, a hammer, and a chisel.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that you are working on.
3. Jack up the vehicle and place jack stands under the frame.
4. Remove the lug nuts and take off the wheel.
5. Remove the brake caliper and rotor.
6. Use a hammer and chisel to remove the old wheel bearing.
7. Install the new wheel bearing.
8. Reassemble the wheel and brake system.
9. Lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the lug nuts.

Cost of Replacing AutoZone Wheel Bearings

The cost of replacing wheel bearings varies depending on the make and model of your vehicle. However, you can expect to pay between $100 and $300 for the parts and labor.

Prevention Tips

There are a few things that you can do to help prevent wheel bearings from going bad. These tips include:

• Have your wheel bearings inspected regularly by a mechanic.
• Avoid driving on rough roads.
• Be careful not to overload your vehicle.
• Make sure that your tires are properly inflated.

Conclusion

Wheel bearings are an important part of your vehicle's suspension system. By understanding the signs of bad wheel bearings and taking steps to prevent them from going bad, you can help to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely.

Additional Information

Here are some additional tips that may be helpful:

• If you are replacing the wheel bearings on a front-wheel drive vehicle, you will need to remove the axle shaft before you can remove the wheel bearing.
• If you are replacing the wheel bearings on a rear-wheel drive vehicle, you will not need to remove the axle shaft.
• It is important to use the correct tools and procedures when replacing wheel bearings. Otherwise, you could damage the bearings or your vehicle.
• If you are not comfortable replacing wheel bearings yourself, be sure to take your vehicle to a mechanic.