Parker Auto Repair

A bad wheel bearing might seem like a minor inconvenience at first—a faint humming or grinding sound coming from your wheel. But is it really something you can ignore? While it’s easy to brush off odd noises, driving with a faulty wheel bearing is a gamble that can lead to severe damage and safety risks. We'll explain what wheel bearings do, the signs of trouble, and the potential dangers of ignoring the problem. What Exactly Is a Wheel Bearing At its core, a wheel bearing is a small but critical component located at the hub of your wheel. Its job? To allow your wheel to rotate while supporting the vehicle’s weight. This part consists of steel balls or rollers encased in a metal ring, lubricated to reduce friction. Since they’re designed to handle heavy loads and high speeds, wheel bearings are built tough. But they’re not invincible. Over time, wear and tear, poor road conditions, and even moisture can take a toll, leading to damag ... read more