Maintaining Your Wheel Bearings
It seems obvious that having all 4 wheels functioning and firmly planted is essential for car travel and safety. However, you may not be aware of how simple components that form part of your car’s wheels are integral to properly working vehicle.
To ensure a friction-free and smooth journey some of these components are designed to move. A great example of this is your wheel bearings. They promote efficient wheel rotation through movement. However, wheel bearings need to be serviced for them to work fluidly with other wheel parts such as the hubs.
Why You Should Maintain Your Wheel Bearings
Servicing your vehicle’s wheel bearings periodically can significantly improve the safety of your vehicle for both you and other road users. You shouldn’t ignore the condition of your wheels or their components when driving in the lovely Gloucestershire countryside.
Side effects of faulty wheel bearings can be experienced in uneven wear on your brakes or tyres. This puts you and the occupants of your vehicle at an increased risk of being involved in an accident.
Your wheel bearings should be serviced as soon as you notice any issues. Don’t overlook any warning signs of wheel-bearing problems. There are several symptoms that you can notice if your wheel bearings start failing.
Wheel Bearing Warnings
The most common symptom of a faulty or worn wheel bearing is the noise produced around the wheel area. Listen carefully so that you don’t mistake this sound as mere engine noise. Bad wheel bearings produce a grinding or whining sound. This sound gets louder the more you accelerate and the bearings should be replaced as a matter of urgency.
Worn-out wheel bearings can also cause steering wheel vibration. If you notice this, you should immediately get your vehicle booked in at PDL MOT & Repairs.
Bad wheel bearings can cause loose/unresponsive steering which again could cause a serious accident. This is caused by the worn-out bearings becoming loose within the hub of the wheel. Worn-out wheel bearings can lead to abnormal tyre wear. You should get your car checked out by our experienced technicians if you notice uneven tyre wear.
The lifespan of your wheel bearings can vary depending on numerous factors including driving style and the quality of the bearing. If you are unsure about the current state of your wheel bearings, book in at PDL and we will check them out for you, it’s better to be safe than sorry.