Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost

What Is a Wheel Bearing?

A wheel bearing is a set of steel balls or tapered rollers held together by a metal ring called a race. It allows your wheels to spin freely with minimal friction while supporting the vehicle's weight. Every wheel on your car has its own wheel bearing—that's four bearings total, plus additional bearings if your vehicle has all-wheel drive.

Modern wheel bearings are sealed units packed with grease designed to last the life of the bearing. Unlike older serviceable bearings that needed periodic repacking, today's bearings are maintenance-free until they fail.

Front vs Rear Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost

The cost to replace wheel bearings varies by location and vehicle type:

Front wheel bearings typically cost more because they support steering components and are often more complex to access. On front-wheel-drive vehicles, front bearings handle both steering and drive forces, leading to higher wear.

Rear wheel bearings can be easier to access on some vehicles, reducing labor costs. However, rear-wheel-drive trucks and SUVs often have more expensive rear bearing designs.

Hub Assembly vs Bearing-Only Replacement

There are two main approaches to wheel bearing replacement:

Hub assemblies are complete units that include the bearing, hub, wheel studs, and often an ABS sensor. They bolt directly to the knuckle:

• Pros: Faster installation, no special tools needed, includes new ABS sensor, less risk of installation error
• Cons: Higher parts cost, may get components you don't need

Pressed bearings are the bearing-only option that must be pressed into the steering knuckle:

• Pros: Lower parts cost, can reuse hub and ABS sensor, lighter to ship
• Cons: Requires hydraulic press (or shop labor), longer labor time, risk of damaging knuckle if done incorrectly

Most vehicles built after 2000 use hub assemblies on at least one axle. Check your vehicle's configuration before ordering parts.

Pressed Bearing vs Bolt-On Hub Assembly Labor Differences

The labor cost difference between bearing types is significant:

Bolt-on hub assembly procedure:

1. Remove wheel and brake caliper
2. Remove brake rotor
3. Disconnect ABS sensor wire
4. Remove hub assembly bolts (usually 3-4 bolts)
5. Remove old hub assembly
6. Install new hub assembly
7. Torque bolts to spec
8. Reassemble brakes

Pressed bearing procedure:

1. Remove wheel, caliper, rotor, and hub assembly
2. Remove steering knuckle from vehicle
3. Press out old bearing from knuckle (hydraulic press required)
4. Press in new bearing (must be perfectly straight)
5. Reinstall hub into bearing
6. Reinstall knuckle and suspension components
7. May require alignment

The pressed bearing process involves removing the entire knuckle from the vehicle, which means disconnecting tie rods, ball joints, and struts—all components that affect alignment.

Factors That Affect Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost

1. Bearing Type and Design

The type of bearing significantly affects both parts and labor costs:

• Ball bearings: Most common, moderate cost, good for passenger vehicles
• Tapered roller bearings: Found in trucks and heavy-duty applications, handle high loads
• Hub assemblies: Higher parts cost but lower labor, most common in modern vehicles

2. Vehicle Make and Model

Luxury and European vehicles typically cost more:

• Higher-quality OEM bearing requirements
• More complex suspension designs (Mercedes Airmatic, BMW xDrive)
• Specialized tools needed for some models
• Limited aftermarket options for some vehicles

Example cost variations:

• Honda Civic: $150-$350 per wheel
• Toyota Camry: $200-$450 per wheel
• Ford F-150: $250-$550 per wheel
• BMW 3-Series: $400-$800 per wheel
• Mercedes C-Class: $450-$900 per wheel

3. Labor Rates in Your Area

Shop labor rates vary significantly by location:

• Rural areas: $70-$90/hour
• Suburban areas: $90-$120/hour
• Urban areas: $120-$150/hour
• Dealerships: $150-$200/hour

A job quoted at 2 hours could cost $140 in a rural area or $400 at a dealer.

4. Parts Quality

Bearing quality directly affects longevity. Premium brands like Timken, SKF, and FAG cost more but often last longer:

• Budget aftermarket: $30-$80 (may last 30,000-50,000 miles)
• Quality aftermarket: $60-$150 (typically last 80,000+ miles)
• OEM/premium brands: $100-$300 (longest lifespan, often with warranty)

5. Additional Repairs

Wheel bearing replacement often reveals other issues:

• Worn brake rotors or pads
• Damaged ABS sensors ($50-$150)
• CV axle wear ($150-$400)
• Alignment service ($80-$150)
• Damaged wheel studs ($20-$50 each)

Warning Signs of a Bad Wheel Bearing

Watch for these symptoms indicating wheel bearing failure:

1. Humming or Roaring Noise

The most common symptom is a humming, roaring, or droning noise that:

• Increases with vehicle speed
• Sounds like driving on rumble strips
• Changes pitch when turning (quieter turning toward the bad side)
• May sound like a distant airplane

2. Grinding or Growling Sounds

Severe bearing damage causes:

• Loud grinding during driving
• Scraping sounds when turning
• Metal-on-metal noise indicating urgent replacement needed

3. Play or Looseness in the Wheel

A worn bearing allows the wheel to wobble:

• Grab the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock positions
• Rock it back and forth
• Any noticeable play indicates bearing wear
• Excessive play means immediate replacement needed

4. Steering Vibration

Bad bearings can cause:

• Vibration felt through the steering wheel
• Wobble at highway speeds
• Loose or vague steering feel

5. ABS Warning Light

Many hub assemblies include the ABS wheel speed sensor:

• Worn bearing can damage sensor
• Erratic ABS activation
• Traction control warnings

6. Uneven Tire Wear

A failing bearing allowing wheel wobble causes:

• Cupping wear pattern
• Feathering on one side
• Abnormal wear on inner or outer edge

DIY vs Professional Replacement

Hub Assembly DIY (Moderate Difficulty)

If you have basic mechanical skills and tools, hub assemblies are manageable:

Required tools:

• Floor jack and jack stands
• Socket set (including large axle nut socket)
• Torque wrench
• Pry bar
• Basic hand tools

Estimated time: 2-4 hours per wheel

Cost comparison:

• DIY: $100-$300 (parts only)
• Shop: $200-$600 (parts and labor)
• Savings: $100-$300 per wheel

Pressed Bearing DIY (Difficult)

Pressed bearings require specialized equipment:

Additional tools needed:

• Hydraulic press ($500-$2,000)
• Bearing press kit ($50-$150)
• Slide hammer ($50-$100)

Most DIYers take the knuckle to a machine shop for pressing:

• Pressing service: $30-$75
• Still saves over full shop labor

Recommended Wheel Bearing Brands

Quality matters for safety-critical components like wheel bearings. Top brands include:

Premium OEM-quality:

• Timken
• SKF
• FAG (Schaeffler)
• NSK
• NTN

Quality aftermarket:

• Moog
• ACDelco
• Motorcraft
• National (Federal-Mogul)

Budget options (use with caution):

• Various no-name imports
• Significant quality variation
• May not last as long

Look for bearing kits that include seals, hardware, and proper grease for complete installation.

How to Save Money on Wheel Bearing Replacement

1. Get multiple quotes - Prices can vary 30-50% between shops for the same job

2. Consider independent mechanics - Often 30-40% cheaper than dealerships with equal quality work

3. Buy your own parts - Quality aftermarket bearings from RockAuto or AutoZone cost less than shop-sourced parts (but verify shop accepts outside parts)

4. Ask about hub assemblies - May cost slightly more in parts but save significantly on labor

5. Address problems early - Catching a failing bearing prevents damage to the spindle, hub, and brake components

6. DIY if equipped - Hub assemblies are a reasonable DIY project with potential $100-$300 savings per wheel

7. Check for bearing kit deals - Some retailers offer pairs or complete kits at discounted prices

8. Combine with other work - If doing brakes or suspension work, add bearing replacement to reduce total labor

Conclusion

Wheel bearing replacement typically costs $200-$800 per wheel, with the main cost factors being:

• Front vs rear location
• Hub assembly vs pressed bearing type
• Vehicle make and model
• Labor rates in your area

For most vehicles, expect to pay $300-$500 per wheel at an independent shop. Never ignore wheel bearing symptoms—a failed bearing can cause loss of vehicle control or wheel separation. Address humming noises early before they become grinding sounds requiring more expensive repairs.