How long do Front Wheel Bearings last ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Texas
How long do Front Wheel Bearings last ?
My '04 C5 has developed a buzz or humming noise at about 50 mph. Actually it sounds like slightly cupped tires but I just had the fronts replaced so I don't think thats it. Sounds like it may be coming from the left front - hard to tell. After doing a search I am thinking it may be a front wheel bearing. The right front was replaced by the dealer in an attempt to fix a traction control/abs/active handling issue at about 30K miles.
The car now has 63K miles on it. If the front bearings only last about that long then maybe it's the left front needing replacement.
Also, is there a way to check it to see if its bad before I spend money on it?
Thanks
The car now has 63K miles on it. If the front bearings only last about that long then maybe it's the left front needing replacement.
Also, is there a way to check it to see if its bad before I spend money on it?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,639
Likes: 39
From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
My '04 C5 has developed a buzz or humming noise at about 50 mph. Actually it sounds like slightly cupped tires but I just had the fronts replaced so I don't think thats it. Sounds like it may be coming from the left front - hard to tell. After doing a search I am thinking it may be a front wheel bearing. The right front was replaced by the dealer in an attempt to fix a traction control/abs/active handling issue at about 30K miles.
The car now has 63K miles on it. If the front bearings only last about that long then maybe it's the left front needing replacement.
Also, is there a way to check it to see if its bad before I spend money on it?
Thanks
The car now has 63K miles on it. If the front bearings only last about that long then maybe it's the left front needing replacement.
Also, is there a way to check it to see if its bad before I spend money on it?
Thanks
As far as a mileage thing, I don't think there is a set amount. My bearings are all original 02 Z06, many, many hard roadcourse track days, and they're still fine.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
The method I've been taught to check and see if the bearings are still good is to get the car in the air, on jackstands. go to each wheel, and push in on the top with one hand, and pull out on the bottom with the other, and vise-versa. If there is play its a good indicator that the bearing needs to be replaced.
As far as a mileage thing, I don't think there is a set amount. My bearings are all original 02 Z06, many, many hard roadcourse track days, and they're still fine.
As far as a mileage thing, I don't think there is a set amount. My bearings are all original 02 Z06, many, many hard roadcourse track days, and they're still fine.
with George here
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
The method I've been taught to check and see if the bearings are still good is to get the car in the air, on jackstands. go to each wheel, and push in on the top with one hand, and pull out on the bottom with the other, and vise-versa. If there is play its a good indicator that the bearing needs to be replaced.
As far as a mileage thing, I don't think there is a set amount. My bearings are all original 02 Z06, many, many hard roadcourse track days, and they're still fine.
As far as a mileage thing, I don't think there is a set amount. My bearings are all original 02 Z06, many, many hard roadcourse track days, and they're still fine.
Yep, push and pull at 12 and 6. If there's excessive play, you may need new bearings. There's no real schedule for them. They might go for 300,000 miles or 30,000.
That being said, a high speed "buzzing" like you describe sure does not sound like a symptom of a bad wheel bearing. I would first be looking at my tires and alignment. Are you getting any crunching or thumping noises/feelings in slow turns?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Yeah, I agree with all of the above here too. They will last depending on the driving they were subjected too. The fronts on my '99 that I gave away last year are still the originals at last I heard, 341k miles and still good.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
The method I've been taught to check and see if the bearings are still good is to get the car in the air, on jackstands. go to each wheel, and push in on the top with one hand, and pull out on the bottom with the other, and vise-versa. If there is play its a good indicator that the bearing needs to be replaced.
As far as a mileage thing, I don't think there is a set amount. My bearings are all original 02 Z06, many, many hard roadcourse track days, and they're still fine.
As far as a mileage thing, I don't think there is a set amount. My bearings are all original 02 Z06, many, many hard roadcourse track days, and they're still fine.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
As George stated one way to check is to lift the car and see if you can push the wheel in and out (top to bottom). If you can hear clicking chances are it is the wheel bearing.
BTW - if it moves left and right it could be the tie rod.
As far as how long they last for normal street use with street tires chances they will last a long time. Even at the track I didnt go through wheel bearings until I started to use hoosiers then I have one go here and there, but still nothing regular.
The reason your other one was changed was because the bearing includes the sensors too so you have to buy the entire package if there is an issue with the TC/AH/ABS. Luckily a stock one is not that expensive just dont buy it from your local dealer. figure it should be under $200 for the part plus cost to replace. If you have some mechanical ability they are not hard to replace on your own, but you would need to know the torque specs.
BTW - if it moves left and right it could be the tie rod.
As far as how long they last for normal street use with street tires chances they will last a long time. Even at the track I didnt go through wheel bearings until I started to use hoosiers then I have one go here and there, but still nothing regular.
The reason your other one was changed was because the bearing includes the sensors too so you have to buy the entire package if there is an issue with the TC/AH/ABS. Luckily a stock one is not that expensive just dont buy it from your local dealer. figure it should be under $200 for the part plus cost to replace. If you have some mechanical ability they are not hard to replace on your own, but you would need to know the torque specs.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 761
Likes: 1
From: sunnyvale ca
As George stated one way to check is to lift the car and see if you can push the wheel in and out (top to bottom). If you can hear clicking chances are it is the wheel bearing.
BTW - if it moves left and right it could be the tie rod.
As far as how long they last for normal street use with street tires chances they will last a long time. Even at the track I didnt go through wheel bearings until I started to use hoosiers then I have one go here and there, but still nothing regular.
The reason your other one was changed was because the bearing includes the sensors too so you have to buy the entire package if there is an issue with the TC/AH/ABS. Luckily a stock one is not that expensive just dont buy it from your local dealer. figure it should be under $200 for the part plus cost to replace. If you have some mechanical ability they are not hard to replace on your own, but you would need to know the torque specs.
BTW - if it moves left and right it could be the tie rod.
As far as how long they last for normal street use with street tires chances they will last a long time. Even at the track I didnt go through wheel bearings until I started to use hoosiers then I have one go here and there, but still nothing regular.
The reason your other one was changed was because the bearing includes the sensors too so you have to buy the entire package if there is an issue with the TC/AH/ABS. Luckily a stock one is not that expensive just dont buy it from your local dealer. figure it should be under $200 for the part plus cost to replace. If you have some mechanical ability they are not hard to replace on your own, but you would need to know the torque specs.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 6
From: Alamosa CO
I replaced my right front at 26k miles. Checked pricing at the dealer and they wanted like $375 for it, went across the street to Autozone and got the exact same unit for $180. Changed it myself in under an hour, no big deal.
Jimbo
Jimbo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 761
Likes: 1
From: sunnyvale ca
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
I saw timken at rockauto for $170 or so. You have to pay shipping but there is always a discount code floating around for 5% off.
