Cars are made of several auto parts, which are essential for the smooth running of the vehicle. The tires are an indispensable part of a car. They enable the vehicle to roll on the road, carry the load, and absorb the road shocks. They are fitted on the wheel, which is attached to the axle and the wheel hub. And the wheel bearings help the wheel to rotate smoothly with less friction. These bearings must be replaced when they get damaged. Car owners must purchase the bearings from reputed dealers who sell good quality auto parts like the Holden parts.
Wheel bearings are put through a lot of wear and tear because they bear the vehicle’s weight. Several reasons make the wheel bearings malfunction. The following are the most common reasons.
Driving conditions: When people frequently drive through water and mud, they enter the bearings. They damage the bearings by polluting the grease.
Quality: The quality of the wheel bearings decides how long the bearings will last. Bearings made of poor quality steel wear out soon.
Uneven roads: If people frequently drive on uneven terrain, the bearings will quickly get damaged. They lose the ability to reduce friction, and the vehicle breaks down often.
Poor installation: Poor installation of the bearings is another common reason for them to fail prematurely. Some people use old accessories like bolts, nuts, and splint pins which causes more damage to the vehicle.
Imbalanced tires: A vehicle’s tires should always be balanced. If not, some bearings endure more stress and pressure than others. It damages them and leads to other problems.
Accidents: An accident can damage a wheel bearing. Even a slight dent on the bearing caused by an impact makes it malfunction. In some cases, potholes and speed bumps damage the bearings.
Wheel vibrations, looseness, and vague steering indicate wheel bearing problems.
The wheel bearings are housed inside the wheel hub assembly. The wheel hub is constantly exposed to dust, dirt, water, and other contaminants and gets damaged quickly. The wheel hub assembly replacements are common, but there are chances for improper installation. The problems caused due to improper installations are
Unnecessary stress on the hub, axle, and transmission
Uneven brake pad wear
Seizing up the wheel
Some car owners plan to save money by opting for low-quality wheel hub assembly. However, it does not perform as well as the OEM grade. And it is very unreliable, especially when it has undersized bearings. Therefore OEM grade may be expensive, but it is more reliable and lasts many years.
When should people replace the wheel hub?
Uneven tire wear.
Steering vibrates while driving.
The steering doesn’t feel firm.
Uneven ticking noise coming from a corner of the car.
Notice movement in the wheel and bearing without any load in the car.
The wheel hub assembly is checked as soon as people notice signs of trouble. When one wheel hub assembly is damaged, the chances are high for another one to be close to failing. The other wheel assembly must be checked immediately to determine whether it needs a replacement.
Good quality spare parts like the Holden parts lengthen the vehicle’s lifespan and help it run smoothly. Low-quality parts are unsafe and cause more damage. The authenticity and quality of the spare parts keep the vehicle in the best possible condition. Moreover, genuine parts are designed specifically for each type of vehicle.