Can you replace just the wheel bearing and not the hub?
Your wheel bearing may have been damaged slightly in the past and has now worn to the point it is starting to make noise. Your mechanic is correct in that the only repair for the bearing is to replace the hub. It is a sealed unit and cannot be disassembled without destroying it.
When does a wheel hub need to be replaced?
A good hub assembly should have close to zero lateral movement. If the wheel and tire assembly easily move back and forth, the hub is bad and must be replaced. There are several ways to inspect a wheel hub assembly.
What are the symptoms of a bad wheel hub assembly?
When the part is damaged or is beginning to show signs of premature wear, it will commonly show some warning signs or symptoms that can be easily recognized by most car owners. Listed below are a few of the symptoms that car owners should be aware, that will alert them to a bad or failing wheel hub assembly.
Do you need to replace rear wheel bearings?
Some vehicles use a rear hub bearing assembly where the wheel bearings are prepacked in the hub and installed as a complete unit. Instead of simply replacing the wheel bearings, the entire hub assembly must be replaced. This of course makes the hub assembly more expensive than just the hub bearings.
When to replace a wheel and tire assembly?
A good hub assembly should have close to zero lateral movement. If the wheel and tire assembly easily move back and forth, the hub is bad and must be replaced. There are several ways to inspect a wheel hub assembly. In many instances, a hub bearing will make noise without having any noticeable play.
When do you need to replace a wheel hub?
If the bearings become loose and worn out, you will hear a rubbing or grinding noise. This indicates a need for repair or replacing the parts. However, the issue could be with the entire wheel hub assembly, which joins the wheel to the vehicle.
Can a golf cart hub be replaced when rear wheels wear down?
The hub uses a weaker metal than the drive axle on golf carts and the teeth that grab hold and spin the wheel and tire to drive the cart can wear down to nubs. Just order two new rear hubs and pop them on yourself without the need of taking your cart in for costly repairs.
What causes damage to the wheel hub assembly?
The wheel hub assembly is prone to damage caused by multiple driving situations such as: Although this part takes a tremendous amount of abuse, it’s commonly overlooked when repairs are done to other mechanical components such as tires and wheels, suspension parts, coils, shocks and struts and other front end and rear end housing parts.
Some vehicles use a rear hub bearing assembly where the wheel bearings are prepacked in the hub and installed as a complete unit. Instead of simply replacing the wheel bearings, the entire hub assembly must be replaced. This of course makes the hub assembly more expensive than just the hub bearings.