What does it cost to replace wheel bearings? The cost to replace one front-wheel hub assembly varies widely. Some variables include the make and model, the garage’s labor rate and the cost for parts. The national average is about $350 to fix the wheel bearings at one wheel.

Experience is one of the key factors affecting installation time. For new technicians, turnaround time can be up to two hours. However, that time can be cut in half by experienced technicians, especially if there are no delays in acquiring parts or tools.

Here are some indicators of a worn wheel hub bearing or other wheel-end damage:

1. Snapping, clicking or popping.
2. Grinding when the vehicle is in motion.
3. Knocking or clunking.
4. Humming, rumbling or growling.
5. Wheel vibration and/or wobble.
6. Shudder, shimmy or vibration at a constant speed.

Generally speaking, you should expect to have to have your ball joints replaced between 70,000 to 150,000 miles of driving. Excessive play in the joint can cause additional wear, and if a ball joint fails, your car’s suspension could collapse and you could lose control of the vehicle.

A worn out ball joint can cause the steering wheel to vibrate, especially under heavy braking. This is the case when the ball joint has excessive wear. You can hear noise from the front end during braking. If the ball joint has excessive play, your tire is going to move back and forth.

You will need to use a jack under the control arm as close to the ball joint as possible to push up on the joint so that the weight of the vehicle pushes the ball joint tight; then you should be able to tighten it.