If you are hearing a strange, unusual noise coming from your car while you’re driving, it’s possible you may be experiencing wheel bearing malfunction. Wheel bearings are safety-critical components that are designed to sustain axial and radial loads caused by breaking, accelerating, and cornering. A crucial part of your vehicle’s good functioning, problems with wheel bearings need to be addressed quickly to prevent further damage.
What Are Wheel Bearings?
Wheel bearings are sets of steel balls or tapers held together by a metal ring. They enable the wheels to rotate smoothly with minimal friction. At the center of a vehicle’s wheels are hollow pieces of metal called hubs. Wheel bearings fit tightly within the hubs and ride on metal axle shafts, which helps to reduce friction when wheels spin.
Wheel bearings are different from engine bearings in that there is no constant source of lubrication. This means that wheel bearings need to be tight in order to keep away debris, water, and dust. Additionally, they support the entire vehicle’s weight while it is operation, which is the reason they are subject to a lot of wear and tear.
