How Much Does A Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost in the UK?

Wheel bearings are important components of a car's suspension system. They allow the wheels to rotate smoothly and with little friction. Wheel bearings typically last around 80,000 miles, but they can start to wear down sooner if the car is driven in harsh conditions or if the suspension is not maintained and serviced as needed.

If a wheel bearing starts to fail, it will make a grinding or growling noise while the vehicle is in motion. This noise will usually get louder as the bearing wears down. In some cases, the noise can be similar to that of brakes grinding. Once a wheel bearing fails, it must be replaced as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the suspension system.

How much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing?

The average cost of replacing a wheel bearing is £175, with prices ranging from £120 and £300. The cost will vary depending on whether the front or rear or if all of the wheel bearings need replacing. In some cases, if the faulty wheel bearings have caused additional damage to other parts of the suspension or transmission, then the necessary parts will need to be replaced which could affect the overall cost of the repair. The exact price of the wheel bearing replacement depends largely on your car and the parts recommended by the manufacturer.

Your location can also be a key factor in determining the price of a wheel bearing replacement. For example, average hourly labour rates and demand in cities like London is around £50-£100 while in towns with lower demand, the labour rates can range from £35-£50. The type of mechanic, for example, a mobile mechanic vs a dealership garage technician can also affect the total cost of a wheel bearing replacement.

Average cost of a wheel bearing replacement by location

To avoid having car owners overpaying and get a fair price for a wheel bearing replacement, we use real-time data of thousands of car makes and model data, local labour prices for wheel bearing repairs and replacements and part prices to provide an instant fair quote. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an instant price for a wheel bearing replacement for your car.

Average cost of a wheel bearing replacement by manufacturer

Signs your wheel bearing needs to be replaced

• Rumbling or grinding noise from underneath car
• Vibrations felt in steering wheel
• Uneven tyre wear
• Humming noise at higher speeds
• Unstable steering
• ABS warning light on
• Wobbly wheels
  
  

A noise coming from the wheel area

If you hear a grinding or growling noise coming from the wheels, these are signs that your wheel bearings need to be replaced.

A feeling of looseness in the steering.

Your steering seems less responsive or precise when you drive it - it could indicate an issue with the wheel bearings.

Uneven tyre wear.

Along with accelerated tyre wear, bad wheel bearings can also cause uneven tyre wear.

A vibrating feeling in the steering wheel or seat.

More noticeable at low speeds, a broken wheel bearing will cause vibrations which are typically coupled with a grinding sound.

Frequently asked questions about wheel bearing replacement cost

Is it worth replacing wheel bearings?

Replacing wheel bearings is definitely worth it to extend the life of your tyres and other suspension components. You can replace all 4 bearings or just the one if needed.

Can you drive with a damaged wheel bearing?

It is recommended that you do not drive with a damaged wheel bearing. Continuing to drive is not only extremely dangerous but can also cause extensive damage to the hub, axle and other associated parts.

What happens when a wheel bearing goes out?

If a wheel bearing becomes faulty, it will usually make a grinding noise that will become louder as the vehicle moves faster. The vehicle may also feel like it is shaking, the noise may also vary in pitch as you turn the steering and travel around corners. When you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to get it inspected as soon as possible as continuing to drive can be dangerous and cause further damage to the vehicle.

Should I replace all 4 wheel bearings?

The best practice is to replace all four wheel bearings at the same time or at the very least should be replaced in pairs, ie front or rear. This ensures that all four bearings are the same age and have been through the same amount of wear and tear. Additionally, if one wheel bearing needs to be replaced, the other three are likely to need replacement fairly soon. You can, of course, choose to replace one at a time but it’s not advisable and is often not the most economical choice in the long run.

How long does a wheel bearing replacement take?

A front wheel bearing replacement on average takes just over 1 hour, but can take anywhere from under 1 hour to 2 hours. This is because replacing front wheel bearings tends to be a bit more time-consuming than replacing rear wheel bearings as it may require removal and reassembly of additional car parts. A rear wheel bearing replacement takes on average under 1 hour but can range from under 1 hour to 2 hours.

Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Can I carry out a wheel bearing replacement myself?

A wheel bearing replacement is a complex job that requires automotive repair skills and specialised tools as it involves working with a vehicle's suspension, braking, and steering components.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a wheel bearing replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

What else could be the problem if my wheel bearing isn’t broken?

• Unbalanced or misaligned tyres - imbalanced wheels or unevenly worn and improperly mounted tyres can resemble wheel bearing issues
• Suspension components - faults with the control arms, ball joints, struts, or bushings can lead to similar symptoms, including vibrations
• Malfunctioning braking system - warped brake discs for example can cause vibrations
• Power steering - malfunctioning power steering can lead to vehicle handling issues

What happens during a wheel bearing replacement?

Over time, a damaged wheel bearing can affect your car’s steering, as the weight of the bearings, or any defects in the race can cause your wheels to not sit level with the road. This can lead to uneven and premature tyre wear, and your car behaving unpredictably when turning corners.
Once the problem has been diagnosed, a wheel bearing replacement should be carried out as soon as possible.
* Mechanic will loosen the lug nuts of the wheel where the bearing has been affected and remove the wheel
* Mechanic will remove the brake disc and caliper if needed
* Mechanic will remove the hub nut holding the wheel bearings assembly
* Mechanic will press out old/ damaged bearing
* Area will be inspected, cleaned and new wheel bearing will be installed
* Mechanic will reinstall all parts as required