Auto Systems and Repair

Though tapered wheel bearings are becoming less common, there are still many vehicles using them and they need to be serviced every 30,000 miles. The sealed type, hub type and axle mounted wheel bearings do not need service. If tapered wheel bearings go for too long without service, the bearings will fail and begin to make a growling/rumbling noise from the wheel areas at speeds above 15 mph. If this happens, the bearings will need to be replaced.

It takes a skilled technician to correctly service wheel bearings. They must some special tools, remove the wheels and disassemble the brakes, all while the vehicle is off the ground on jack stands or up on a hoist. 

 How to service tapered wheel bearings

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle and remove the wheel
2. Remove the brake components and wheel bearing dust cap
3. Remove the axle nut cotter pin and remove the axle nut
4. Remove the wheel hub, being careful not to drop the wheel bearings
5. Remove any seals and remove the wheel bearings
6. Clean the inner and outer wheel bearings in the proper type of solvent
7. Clean the inner and outer bearing races as well as the wheel hub
   
8. Carefully inspect the bearing and races for signs of wear or pitting
9. Replace the bearings as a set, i.e inner and outer, if any wear is found
10. Carefully pack the bearings with the correct type of grease
    
11. Place the bearings into the hub and install the seal(s)
12. Install the hub on to the axle and torque the axle nut to the specified pre-load
13. Install a new axle nut cotter pin and install the dust cap
14. Re-install the brake components and wheel
15. Torque the wheel lug nuts and test drive the vehicle to verify that the serviced wheel bearings operate smoothly and quietly