Become a Wheel Bearings Expert

Do you know what your car’s wheel bearings are? If not, Toyota of Orlando is here to help you expand your car knowledge just a little more. From what they are, to what they do, to why they’re important, to signs they need car maintenance, we’ve got the inside scoop. Do you and your Orlando Toyota a favor and keep reading!

Car part questions answered

What is a wheel bearing?   

       

A wheel bearing is fairly simple car part to understand. They can best be described as a collection of steel balls joined together by a large metal ring. This metal ring is known as the race. They’re composed of highly durable steel with the goal they last you 100,000 miles or more. This vital car part needs to be in almost perfect condition to function properly.  

What do they do?

Used on a wide variety of vehicle types - cars, planes, bicycles – wheel bearings support the weight of your Orlando car. Each wheel evenly divides the weight of your vehicle and supports it. If your car weighs 4,500 pounds each wheel is responsible for supporting 1,125 pounds. This is only possible due to the conjoining nature of the wheel bearings. However, their main purpose is to assist in friction reduction when your wheels are rotating quickly and freely. 

Where are they located?

When it comes to cars, wheel bearings reside in the hub on the metal axle shift of the wheel. For those who don’t know, the hub is that hollowed out section of metal at the heart of your car’s wheel. This section allows you to attach a tire onto the wheel by storing the necessary lug bolts. 

Why are they important?

This vital car part acts as the glue between your wheels and vehicle. Without wheel bearings your car would not be able to hold its wheels in place. It goes without saying, that the importance of this car part is make or break. What’s the point of a car that can’t take you anywhere?

What causes them to fail?

As mentioned before, in order to carry out their job wheel bearings need to be close to being in pristine condition. They’re coated with thick grease for lubrication and protection. Then, they’re topped with a seal that holds the grease in and keeps water, dirt, and debris out. However, if this seal breaks down the grease will become contaminated. If this happens, your wheel bearings will overheat and eventually fail.

How can I tell they’re failing?

The first symptom of failing wheel bearings is strange sounds coming from your wheels. Typically, it will be a low growling, rumbling, or squeaking sound. The noise level can increase or cease at different speeds.  

What happens if they fail?

If you believe this car part is showing symptoms of failure and you ignore the problem, your wheels can actually disconnect from your vehicle. Needless to say, this is a very serious issue.

Toyota of Orlando is here to save the day

Avoid expensive damages and lower your chance of a collision by staying on top of your car maintenance schedule. Let Toyota of Orlando help you. We are open seven days a week for your convenience and are located at 3575 Vineland Road.