1996 Ford Explorer Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost

Some of the more common signs of wheel bearing problems include:

Groaning, rumbling or grinding noises coming from the wheels or tires — these sounds may also get louder when you make a turn. 

The car handles more loosely.

Vibrations and wobbling through the steering wheel.

The car pulls to one side as you drive. This may occur at random. 

The tires wear unevenly.

If the above symptoms are ignored, more serious consequences can happen:

One of the wheels starts smoking.

A wheel comes off the vehicle.

Yes, but not for long. As the wear increases, so do the chances of damage occurring to other parts of the suspension. If you suspect that a wheel bearing is beginning to wear, have a technician evaluate the problem as soon as possible. A vehicle with a significantly worn wheel bearing shouldn't be driven. If the wheel bearing fails completely, it's possible for the wheel to come off the vehicle and cause a wreck.

Most vehicles have sealed bearings that do not require maintenance. Sealed bearings can last 100,000 miles or more, and will need to be replaced once they go bad. Vehicles with traditional, tapered wheel bearings should have them serviced every 25,000 to 30,000 miles — replacement may not be necessary as long as they're maintained.  

To diagnose whether a wheel bearing is going bad, a technician will typically take the vehicle for a test drive to verify where the sound is coming from and determine which wheel bearing is the culprit. In the shop, the technician might lift the vehicle, rotate the wheel, and listen for sounds from the wheel hub. The technician will also test the wheel for excessive play by holding the tire on each side and rocking it back and forth. If there is play in the wheel and the steering and other suspension components are in good condition, the bearing has likely worn out.

Noisy tires, caused by uneven wear, can sound similar to a failing wheel bearing.

To replace a wheel bearing, a technician will need put the car on a lift, remove the wheel and tire, and remove the brake caliper and rotor. On some vehicles, the wheel hub and bearing are simply unbolted from the steering knuckle and can replaced as a unit. On other vehicles, though, the hub and bearing are pressed together into the knuckle and need to be removed with special tools. In these cases, a hydraulic press must be used to insert the new hub.