What do wheel bearings in cars do?

Chances are when you start hearing a loud noise from under the hood of your car as you drive through Burke, VA, you automatically think it's an exhaust leak or your car is going to break at any moment. read more

When they do fully fail they can cause the race to weld to the bearing surface, grind up, and the wheel can fall off the car. So, to answer the other half of your question, if they start to fail and you keep driving the car, it can not only be very costly to repair but also quite dangerous. read more

Wheel bearings perform two very important jobs in a vehicle’s suspension. The wheel bearing allows the wheels to rotate with minimal function, and they also support the vehicle’s weight. To be able to do both of these jobs, the bearings must be in near perfect condition. read more

They help wheels spin fast with as little friction as possible. They are used on all kinds of vehicles, from bicycles to aircraft and cars. On a car, a wheel bearing rides on a metal axle shaft and fits tightly inside the hub, which is a hollow chunk of metal at the center of the wheel. read more