Wheel bearings are an essential but small part of a vehicle. Usually, they don’t get notified, but you can face a heavy disturbance in your car if they get damaged. They are very tiny but serve as the heart of the vehicle.
A good wheel bearing can enhance your driving experience and help you to stay smooth on different tracks. On the contrary, a bad or malfunctioning wheel bearing can result in crashing your car and damaging its valuable parts.
Wheel bearings are a necessary part of a vehicle, whether a car or a bike. If you notice any disturbance or sound in your wheels, it is better to consult a service company without waiting for the damage to get worst.
This article is all about knowing the importance of wheel bearing. Later, we will also discuss the causes of malfunctioning wheel bearings. So, without further ado, let’s jump into the details.
What is a Wheel Bearing?
Wheel bearings are tiny balls made of metal and present in the wheels of a vehicle. Almost every car has miniature wheel bearings in its wheels. They are a source of friction while driving on roads, mud, uneven path, etc. You can install a wheel bearing from any service company.
It supports the wheel to stay at its position while rotating on different paths. So you get smooth and fast traveling with these wheel bearings. They also maintain the weight of the whole vehicle.
Types of Wheel Bearings
These wheel bearings are present in two different types depending on their size and shape.
Ball Bearings
Ball-bearing is the most common type of wheel bearing. These are small miniature metal balls sealed in a circular shaped holder. They have been contacted with each other by slight contact. Due to being closed, it gets challenging to repair them, but they help keep the dirt out of them.
Roller Bearings
Another type of wheel bearing is the roller ones. They are in the shape of cylinders fitted around a wheel. Roller bearings have a bit larger than ball bearings due to being cylindrical. Also, they are different from ball bearings because they are not sealed.
However, not being sealed makes them easy to get opened but can store a lot of contamination while driving the vehicle on different paths. However, both of these wheel bearings are great if fitted perfectly. So, it depends on the vehicle owner’s choice of what they want.
What is the Location of the Wheel Bearing?
It is a part of the wheels, as you can guess by its name. They are located in the wheel hub where the wheel and the axle are connected. Also, every wheel of the vehicle has a separate set of wheel bearings. So if any one of them gets damaged, your whole car can stop working correctly.
The Lifespan of a Wheel Bearing
Generally, a wheel bearing can last 75,000 to 100,000 miles. However, the lifespan of a wheel bearing depends on specific conditions. For example, it depends on the road, the quality of the wheel bearing, where the wheel bearing is installed, and the driving conditions.
If you have a rough road, then there is a high chance that your wheel bearing will damage early. Also, if the wheel bearing installation is not done correctly, your wheel bearing can lose, and you have to fit it again.
Effects of Malfunction Wheel Bearing
A malfunctioning wheel bearing can badly affect your driving experience. If you start hearing noise from your wheels, it means that the wheel bearing needs treatment. If you are riding your vehicle on an uneven road, your wheel bearing is bad. You can meet a heavy accident.
Instead of waiting for the wheel bearing to get nasty, it is better to visit a vehicle service store at least once a month. But, you ride the vehicle daily, then see it twice a month. Paying less at the start is better than spending a heavy amount later.
Causes of Wheel Bearing Malfunction
There can be numerous points that can lead to the malfunction of the wheel bearing. Few causes of wheel bearing malfunction are as follows
Driving Conditions
The way you drive the vehicle has a heavy impact on the functioning of a wheel bearing. Roughly driving the car on muds, water, and road salts can let the containments enter the wheel bearing. Make sure that you have a seal around the wheel bearing to block the entrance of any dirt.
Quality of Wheel Bearing
The quality of the wheel bearing plays a vital role in its lifespan. A good quality wheel bearing can last longer. On the other hand, a bad-conditioned wheel bearing can damage in a few days.
Always go for quality over cost. In the end, a wheel bearing is for the safety of you and your vehicle. Saving little money can even lead you to significant injuries. Also, your car can get ruined due to this mistake.
Uneven Roads
Uneven roads also significantly impact the functioning of a wheel bearing. A smooth highway doesn’t damage the wheel bearing at all. But, a bumpy and rough road can lead to breaking the sealing of your wheel bearing.
If you came from a road trip and the roads were uneven, immediately go to a vehicle service shop and service your vehicle.
Poor Installation
Whenever you go for a service for your wheel bearing, always choose professional and experienced companies. Poor installation can also lead to malfunctioning your vehicle’s wheel bearings.
Accidents
Lastly, if you have a meet an accident, then there is a high chance that your wheel bearing got to break. Even a slight scratch on the wheel bearing can affect its working. A minor accident can cause extensive damage to your vehicle’s wheel bearing.
Imbalanced Tires
If your vehicle tires are unbalanced, it can cause more pressure on one side of the wheel bearing. This high pressure can break the wheel bearing of the wheel. If you notice an unbalance in your tires, check your vehicle to a professional mechanic.
Conclusion
Although a wheel bearing is minimal in size, it can support your whole vehicle’s functioning. Wheel bearings are the vital part of a vehicle that provides fractioning between the wheel and the road.
If you found any malfunction in your wheel bearing, don’t take it lightly and visit a mechanic as soon as possible. A bad-conditioned wheel bearing can lead to a big accident. The malfunction of the wheel bearing can be due to poor installation, bad roads, lousy quality, and imbalanced tires.
