Why Wheel Bearings Need Checking Before Winter

Wheel bearings operate in a demanding environment throughout the year, but winter brings increased exposure to moisture, road contamination and potholes. A pre-winter inspection can help garages identify bearing wear or damage before it becomes a more significant issue.

Why should wheel bearings be checked before winter?

Wheel bearings are exposed to water, dirt and road contamination around the wheel area. Winter driving can increase exposure to standing water and road salt, while potholes and impacts can place additional loads on the bearing and surrounding components.

A bearing that is already worn or damaged may become more noticeable as conditions change.

What are the signs of a worn wheel bearing?

Common symptoms include:

• Humming, rumbling or grinding noises

• Noise that changes with vehicle speed

• Noise that changes when cornering

• Excessive play

• Vibration

• Uneven tyre wear in some cases

Noise can provide a useful diagnostic clue, but it should not be used on its own to identify a failed wheel bearing. Tyres, brakes and other rotating components can produce similar symptoms.

What should garages check?

During inspection, check for excessive play, unusual noise and signs of damage or contamination.

The surrounding hub, mounting points and related components should also be inspected. Correct installation and the specified tightening torque are important, as incorrect fitting can contribute to premature bearing problems.

Where a bearing incorporates an integrated wheel speed sensor or encoder, the correct application and installation procedure should be confirmed.

Can winter weather damage a wheel bearing?

Winter conditions can contribute to the environment in which bearing problems develop, particularly where moisture or contamination reaches areas that should remain protected.

However, not every wheel bearing problem is caused by winter. Age, mileage, impact damage, incorrect installation and other vehicle conditions can also contribute to wear or failure.

When should a wheel bearing be replaced?

There is no universal mileage interval for wheel bearing replacement. Replacement should be based on the bearing's condition, symptoms, vehicle application and the manufacturer's requirements.

If excessive play, abnormal noise or other evidence of failure is identified, the underlying cause should be diagnosed before fitting the correct replacement component.

Add wheel bearings to the winter inspection

A thorough wheel bearing check can form part of a wider winter steering, suspension and brake inspection. Identifying noise, play, contamination or installation issues early gives garages the opportunity to address problems before they develop further.

Nakata offers Gen 1, Gen 2 and Gen 3 wheel bearing applications for the automotive aftermarket.