Why Wheel Bearing Failure Happens and How to Prevent It
Wheel bearings allow the wheels to rotate smoothly and efficiently making them essential components for trucks. Cracked or broken wheel bearings can lead to serious safety issues and trigger costly repairs. Understanding the symptoms behind damage, and prevention of wheel bearing failure can help ensure a safe driving experience.
In this article, Amigo Tyres - trusted for truck tyres fitting in Rocklea - will share everything about wheel bearing failure. From symptoms to causes and prevention tips to recommendations, everything will be shared. Let’s start by understanding the wheel bearing failure signs first!
Signs of Wheel Bearing Failure
Below are some of the major signs and symptoms of truck wheel bearing failure:
Unusual noises: Constant humming or growling noise that increases with vehicle speed is one of the most common symptoms of truck wheel bearing failure.
Vibrations: A vibrating steering wheel especially at higher speeds indicates wheel bearing failure. You can also feel vehicle vibration due to uneven rotation.
Uneven tyre wear: Uneven pressure on the tyres caused by the wheel not rotating smoothly can cause uneven tyre wear and show signs of wheel bearing failure.
Pulling on one side: The uneven tyre rotation caused due to wheel bearing failure may pull your vehicle to the left or right side.
ABS warning light: If the wheel bearing of your vehicle has an integrated ABS sensor, then it can trigger the warning light when damage is done.
Below are the most common causes and symptoms of truck wheel bearing failure in Australia:
Wear and tear: Prolonged use naturally wears out wheel bearings over time. Additionally, carrying excessive weight or towing can also put additional strain on the bearings.
Poor installation: Over-tightening and under-tightening during installation often damage the wheel bearing. It can directly cause uneven loading and premature wear.
Lack of lubrication: Wheel bearings can’t perform properly without proper lubrication. Less use of grease during truck repairs increases friction and damages wheel bearings.
Contamination: Exposure to moisture and driving through deep water can lead to rust and degradation. Road salt and dust can enter the wheel bearing assembly and cause damage to the wheel bearing.
Damage impact: When it comes to trucks, sudden potholes or curbs damage the bearing structure. Even a small accident can compromise the wheel bearing.
Improper wheel alignment: Uneven stress on the wheel bearings due to misaligned wheels can lead to premature failure. It is best to get your wheel alignment done by a reputed local shop.
Driving at high speed: Driving your vehicle at high speeds for extended periods increases heat and stress on the bearings. One of the biggest reasons behind wheel bearing issues.
Manufacturing defects: Poor-quality materials or flaws in manufacturing can cause bearings to fail prematurely as well.
Now that you have an idea of the major signs, symptoms, and causes of wheel bearing failure, let’s discover some expert tips to prevent truck wheel bearing failure.
Tips to Prevent Wheel Bearing Failure
The below expert tips and ideas shared by top truck repair shop in Rocklea will help you prevent truck wheel bearing failure:
Maintain proper lubrication: Keep your wheel bearings well-lubricated with the correct and quality grease. Always check the grease during regular maintenance of your truck and trailer.
Avoid overloading: Heavy loads can strain the wheel bearings so, it is best to avoid exceeding the vehicle’s capacity. Use the correct towing equipment if hauling heavy loads.
Drive carefully: Hitting curbs, potholes, and road debris can hurt the truck's wheel bearings. Drive at moderate speeds and avoid sudden maneuvers for a long lifespan.
Perform regular inspections: Inspect your wheel bearings during routine maintenance or tyre changes. Keep an eye on any unusual noises, vibrations, and handling issues.
Use quality parts: Buy high-quality wheel bearings and seals for your vehicle. Cheap or substandard parts may wear out quickly compared to quality parts.
Ensure proper installation: Visit professional mechanics to get your wheel bearings installed to avoid improper torquing. Double-check that all components are installed correctly.
Wheel Bearing Failure Wrapup
We hope that the above article helped you learn everything about truck wheel bearing failure. Timely checkups and investment in quality replacements is the key to wheel bearing bliss. Got any queries to ask? Contact us today to have them answered by our truck experts.
Amigo Tyres is also home to premium truck tyres and are offering great pricing on all the premium ones. We recommend visiting our truck tyre shop in Rocklea to check them out!