When to Clean and Repack Wheel Bearings

A wheel bearing should be cleaned and repacked if there is abnormal tire wear, grinding coming from the car tires, or steering wheel vibration.

Wheel bearings are designed to last a long time; eventually, however, they lose their lubricity due to excess heat or debris that somehow finds its way into the center of the wheel hub where they are located. If they are not cleaned and repacked, they wear out and need to be replaced. If they break entirely, it causes a wheel/tire combination to fall off the car while driving, a very dangerous situation.

Before 1997, most vehicles sold in the United States were designed with an inner and outer bearing on each wheel usually serviced every 30,000 miles. “Maintenance free” single wheel bearings designed to extend the life of wheel bearings without having to be serviced eventually took over.

Although many of the vehicles on the road have this new style of wheel bearing, older vehicles still need them serviced, which includes cleaning and repacking the wheel bearing with fresh grease. Most automotive manufacturers agree that wheel bearing repacking and cleaning should be completed every 30,000 miles or once every other year. The reason for this is that eventually grease loses a lot of its lubricity due to age and heat. It’s also very common for dirt and debris to seep into the wheel bearing housing either due to brake dust or other contaminants near the wheel hub.

We will address the general instructions for cleaning and repacking wheel bearings that are not worn out. In the sections below, we will articulate the symptoms of a worn out wheel bearing. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is recommended to replace the bearings as opposed to simply cleaning the old ones. It’s also a good idea to purchase a service manual for your vehicle to learn the precise steps for locating and replacing this component on your vehicle, as it can vary based on individual vehicles.

Determining the symptoms of a dirty or worn out wheel bearings

When a wheel bearing is properly packed with grease, it spins freely and without developing excess heat. The wheel bearings are inserted inside the wheel hub, which secures the wheel and tire to the vehicle. The interior of the wheel bearing is attached to the drive shaft (on front wheel, rear wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles) or spins freely on a non-drive axle. When the wheel bearing fails, it’s often due to the loss of lubricity inside the wheel bearing housing.

If the wheel bearing is damaged, it displays a few warning signs or symptoms that alert the vehicle owner to replace the wheel bearings as opposed to simply cleaning and repacking them. Abnormal tire wear: When the wheel bearing is loose or worn out, it causes the tire and wheel not to align on the hub properly. In many cases, this leads to excessive tire wear on the inside or outside edge of the tires. There are several mechanical problems that can also display similar symptoms including over or under inflated tires, worn out CV joints, damaged shocks or struts, and suspension out of alignment.

If you’re in the process of removing, cleaning and repacking the wheel bearings and you find excessive tire wear, consider replacing the wheel bearings as preventative maintenance. Grinding or roaring noise coming from the tire area: This symptom is commonly caused due to excess heat that has built up inside the wheel bearing and a loss of lubricity. The grinding sound is metal to metal contact. In most cases, you’ll hear the sound from one side of the vehicle as it’s very rare that the wheel bearings on both side wear out at the same time. If you notice this symptom, do not clean and repack the wheel bearings; replace both of them on the same axle.

Steering wheel vibration: When the wheel bearings are damaged, the wheel and tire are very loose on the hub. This creates a bouncing effect causing the steering wheel to vibrate as the vehicle accelerates. Unlike a tire balance problem that typically shows up at higher speeds, a vibration in the steering wheel thanks to a worn out wheel bearing is noticed at slower speeds and progressively gets worse as the vehicle accelerates.

It’s also very common for the vehicle to have wheel-drive and acceleration problems when wheel bearings on drive axles are damaged. In any case, if the symptoms above appear, it’s recommended to replace the wheel bearings as simply cleaning and repacking them will not solve the problems.

Buying quality wheel bearings

Although many DIY mechanics often look for the best deal on replacement parts, wheel bearings are not components that you want to skimp on details or product quality. The wheel bearing is responsible for supporting the weight of the vehicle while also powering and steering the vehicle in the right direction. Replacement wheel bearings need to be made of quality materials and by reliable manufacturers. In most cases, the best option is to buy OEM wheel bearings for consistency. However, there are several aftermarket part manufacturers that have designed exceptional replacement parts that are superior to the OEM equivalent.

Anytime you are planning to clean and repack the wheel bearings, consider completing the following steps first to save you time, effort, and money in the long run.

Step 1: Look for symptoms indicating the wheel bearings need to be replaced. A wheel bearing must be in good working order, clean, have no debris, and the seals must be intact and working well.

Remember the golden rule of wheel bearings: when in doubt, swap them out.

Step 2: Contact the vehicle manufacturer’s parts division. In regards to wheel bearings, most of the time, the OEM option is best.

There are a few aftermarket part manufacturers that make exceptional equivalent products, but OEM is always best for wheel bearings.

Step 3: Make sure replacement parts are for exact year, make and model. Contrary to what the local auto parts store might say, not all wheel bearings for the same manufacturer are identical.

It’s very important to make sure you get the exact recommended replacement part for the year, make, model, and in many cases, package option for the vehicle you are servicing. Also, when you buy replacement bearings make sure you use the recommended bearing grease for packing the bearings. You can often find this information in a vehicle service manual.

Over time, the wheel bearings take a tremendous amount of abuse. Although they are designed to last more than 100,000 miles, if they are not routinely cleaned and repacked, they can wear out prematurely. Even with consistent service and maintenance, they eventually will wear out. Another rule of thumb is to always replace wheel bearings every 100,000 miles as part of routine maintenance.

Part 3 of 3: Cleaning and repacking wheel bearings

The job of cleaning and repacking wheel bearings is one that most DIY mechanics don’t really like to complete for one simple reason – it’s a messy job. In order to remove the wheel bearings, clean them, and repack them with grease, you’ll have to make sure the vehicle is raised and that you have plenty of room to work under and around the entire wheel hub. It’s always a good idea to clean and repack wheel bearings on the same axle the same day or during the same service.

In order to complete this service, you’ll need to gather the following materials:

Materials Needed

Can of brake cleaner
Clean shop rags
Flathead screwdriver
Jack
Jack stands
Lug wrench
Pliers – adjustable and needle-nose
Replacement cotter pins
Replacement inner wheel bearing seals
Replacement wheel bearings
Safety glasses
Safety latex gloves
Wheel bearing grease
Wheel chocks
Wrench and socket set

Warning: It is always best to purchase and review the vehicle service manual for your specific make, year, and model to complete this process. Once you’ve reviewed the exact instructions, only proceed if you are 100% confident in completing this task. If you are not sure about cleaning and repacking your wheel bearings, contact one of our local ASE certified mechanics to complete this service for you.