Dodge W350 Wheel Bearing Service Cost

Wheel bearings are mounted on the wheel hub, on the spindle, or inside the rear axle housing, and allow the wheels to rotate smoothly, even under extreme weight.

Wheel bearings are made of high strength steel, and support the weight of the vehicle, while allowing it to roll freely. They are pressed onto the hub or into a rear axle housing. On many older vehicles, the front wheel bearings will be placed into the front rotor, and tightened with a spindle nut. If an axle is used to drive a wheel, the axle will sit inside the bearing, allowing the axle to rotate the wheel.

If the wheel bearing has failed, the bearing will make a grinding or chirping noise while driving. For straight axle vehicles, this may also be accompanied by a leaky rear wheel seal pouring gear oil onto the brakes and ground. The vehicle may begin to feel unstable at all speeds, especially when turning. When the wheel bearing and hub is located on a non-driven wheel, the grinding noise and instability will be the same as a driven wheel.

Driving with a failed wheel bearing is dangerous. Aside from the vehicle feeling unstable, the wheel may come off when the bearing completely disintegrates. If mechanical grinding is heard from the wheel bearing, the vehicle should be taken out of service to prevent further damage and unsafe driving conditions.

Only some bearings are serviceable, and all others will be sealed hub and bearing assemblies, typical of modern sedans, SUVs, coupes, and minivans. For straight axle vehicles, the bearings do not require service unless the bearing failure has occurred. All serviceable bearings are inspected, cleaned, packed with grease, and re-installed at each brake service, since the brake rotor will house the tapered roller bearings. Normally, serviceable bearings can last two to three brake changes before being replaced.

If the vehicle has a sense of instability, and the wheel bearings are found to be lose, they will be removed, cleaned, and inspected for damage. The brake rotor will be inspected for wear of the outer bearing race as well. If no damage is found, a bearing service will be recommended.

During a bearing service, the wheel, brake caliper, and brake caliper bracket are unbolted, and removed to gain access to the brake rotor and wheel bearings. Then, the spindle nut is removed, and the bearings will come off with the rotor. The bearings will be cleaned, inspected for wear, and repacked with fresh bearing grease before replacing them onto the vehicle. Finally, the spindle nut will be tightened to specifications, and the wheel nuts will be torqued once the wheel is installed on the vehicle.

For serviceable bearings, we recommend checking for free play in the wheel at each oil change. This only takes moments, but can save the cost of replacing wheel bearings, spindles, and brake rotors due to lack of maintenance.

The term “serviceable” means that the tapered roller bearings are unsealed, and must be serviced by a technician periodically to ensure longevity. Sealed bearings tend to last longer than tapered roller bearings, and are maintenance free.

Wheel bearing servicing is an easy DIY project for the novice DIYer to handle. The only caveat to that is the individual must understand how to properly preload the wheel bearings. This is essential in preserving the good condition of a wheel bearing, and preventing the wheel from dragging, causing excess friction and heat.