Whether you’ve determined that your wheel bearings are worn out and need replacement or your mechanic provided a repair estimate, you’re probably wondering what the average cost of wheel bearing replacement really is?
Keep reading and you’ll learn the typical costs associated with front and rear wheel bearing replacement, the seven factors that influence the true cost (you can save some money here), and whether your warrantee or insurance coverage would cover bearing replacement.
Related: What Causes Wheel Bearings to Go Bad?
Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost
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The cost of replacing the front and rear wheeling bearings of your car will depend on what kind of car you have. The two expenses associated with this service are the cost of the parts and cost of the labor.
The sad thing is the labor costs are usually more money than the parts cost. But if you don’t know anything about auto mechanics then you don’t want to risk doing the job yourself or else you could cause additional costly damage to your car.
Rear Wheel Bearings
On average, you can expect to pay between $190 and $310 for the parts associated with replacing your rear wheel bearings. The average labor costs will be between $250 and $400.
Front Wheel Bearings
As for replacing your front wheel bearings, this service actually costs more. The average labor costs are between $350 and $550 while the average parts cost is between $150 and $300.
Front and Rear Wheel Bearings
If you were to replace all the wheel bearings of your vehicle, you should expect to pay anywhere between $800 and $1,000 total. Unless you have a special warranty plan that covers this expense, the cost will probably be higher than expected for most car owners.
You may think it would be wise to have your bearings serviced but you won’t be able to do that because the bearings are sealed. All you can do is wait for them to go bad and then replace them.
Hub Bearing
Modern vehicles have bearings as part of the entire hub assembly. With this type, the wheel bearing attaches together with the hub assembly, and built in with speed sensor ( if the car has ABS on it). The average cost to replace this part is between $400 to $500 for one side including the labor.
Again, these are only estimates but they should give you a rough idea of the kind of money you should expect to pay for fixing your wheel bearings.
Factors Affecting Replacement Cost
Like most any other automotive service, there are several factors that can influence the cost of replacing your vehicle’s wheel bearings. Understanding these factors can help you better budget for the expense and possibly help you save some money.
- Vehicle Make and Model – The specific vehicle you drive plays a huge role in determining the cost of wheel bearing replacement. Luxury and high-performance vehicles often require specialized parts that are more expensive than those for standard models. In addition, some vehicles have more complex designs that require more labor time to replace the bearings.
- Shop Location – Labor costs can vary widely depending on the location of the repair shop. Shops in cities with a higher cost of living typically charge more for labor compared to those in rural or less expensive areas. It may be worth it to drive out to the outskirts of town if it saves you enough money.
- Type of Repair Shop – With wheel bearings, you’re going to have the option of going to a dealership service department, independent auto repair shop, or chain that offers wheel services. Estimates can be all over the place. In general, a dealership is going to charge a good deal more but they often attract the best repair technicians.
- Quality of Replacement Parts – Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts are typically more expensive than aftermarket alternatives but are generally considered to be of higher quality and more durable. Some repair shops may offer different grades of aftermarket parts at varying price points, so be sure to discuss the options and their respective pros and cons with your mechanic.
- Extent of Damage – If the bearings have been damaged due to lack of maintenance or exposure to harsh conditions, additional repairs may be necessary, such as replacing the hub assembly or addressing any secondary damage to the suspension or brakes.
- Labor Costs – As already mentioned, labor costs often account for a significant portion of the total expense when replacing wheel bearings. The cost of labor can be influenced by factors such as the complexity of the repair, the experience and expertise of the mechanic, and the hourly rates charged by the repair shop. These days, the labor rate is usually somewhere in the $100 to $200 per hour range.
- Additional Services – In some cases, your mechanic may recommend additional services for better performance and longevity of your vehicle’s wheel bearings and surrounding components. These services may include alignment checks, brake inspections, or suspension adjustments.
Warranty and Insurance Coverage
When dealing any type of part replacement, it’s a good idea to understand whether the repair is covered under your vehicle’s warranty or your car insurance policy. Understanding your coverage can help you minimize out-of-pocket expenses.
Vehicle Warranty
If your vehicle is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, wheel bearing replacement may be covered. However, the specific terms and conditions of the warranty can vary depending on the manufacturer and the type of warranty you have.
New Vehicle Limited Warranty: New vehicles come with some type of basic warranty that covers various components, including wheel bearings, for a specified period or mileage. If your vehicle is within this coverage period, the cost of wheel bearing replacement may be fully or partially covered by the manufacturer.
Powertrain Warranty: Some manufacturers offer an extended powertrain warranty that covers specific components, such as the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. While wheel bearings are not typically included in powertrain warranties, it’s worth checking your specific coverage to be sure.
Extended Warranty: If you purchased an extended warranty or service contract beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, wheel bearing replacement may be covered under its terms. Review your extended warranty documentation or contact the warranty provider to determine if the repair is eligible for coverage.
Car Insurance Coverage
In most cases, car insurance policies do not cover the cost of wheel bearing replacement, as it’s considered a wear-and-tear issue rather than damage caused by a covered event, such as an accident or theft. However, there are some exceptions:
Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI): Some insurers offer optional MBI coverage, which can help pay for repairs to mechanical components, including wheel bearings. If you have purchased this additional coverage, you may be able to file a claim for wheel bearing replacement costs.
Collision Coverage: If your wheel bearings were damaged as a result of a collision, and you have collision coverage as part of your car insurance policy, the entire cost of the repair will likely be covered, subject to your deductible of course.
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Everything has gone up. It’s pretty expensive to have someone else work on your car these days.
I just replaced the front wheel bearing’s or hub’s on my 2018 Ford F-150. The truck has 70K miles and the driver’s side bearing was shot.
I purchased hubs from RockAuto and choose SKF at a cost of 220.00 each hub. Turned out the SKF hubs were made in Korea.
The fact that I’m old and slow with no air tools turned the replacement into an over four hours job. I took several breaks.
All in all, I likely saved 700-800 dollars and installed high quality parts. Parts markup by the mechanic is out of control these days. That’s why I do the work myself when I can.
Nice work. It’s great to do the work yourself when you can, and four hours isn’t bad. I think being methodical and confident in your work is more important than speed.
I have a 2006 Nissian Maxima. Just had this happen to me; the other day. If anybody could tell me how much I could be paying for the parts I would appreciate it.
Thank you!
It would be nice to know if you are talking about American or Canadian $
US dollars.
How much should it cost to get my bearings replaced on the front passenger side of a 2006 Chrysler 300 v-6 all wheel drive and should I get both front wheels done or is it cool to just get the one? Thanks everyone
I would do both at the same time. Call around your local shops for the most accurate quotes.
That’s because it’s on line n it is of cheaper quilaty n prolly made in china they also don’t last that long belive me I wont install them because of that n I do a lot of them some MIT go some where els but the people I work for have high end cars n trust my 35yrs experience
This is true, not all replacement parts are created equally. OEM quality costs more.
Cost of parts is wrong but perhaps accurate for foreign/expensive cars. For my car I can buy new bearings for both front wheels for under $100 from a reputable online seller.
How much is labor? Or do you replace them yourself?
How long does it take to repair front left wheel Bearings
Depends on your vehicle, your skill level, and the level of corrosion on your vehicle.