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The Daily Insight

How often should you change your bearings?

Author

Robert Guerrero

Updated on March 10, 2026

Wheel bearings. They make the world go 'round. Most serviceable wheel bearings need maintenance every 25,000 to 30,000 miles, or during every brake service. But, the average life of a sealed wheel bearing and hub assembly is about 85,000 to 100,000 miles, without the opportunity for a technician to repack the bearings.

Just so, how often should you change your skateboard bearings?

If you use high quality bearings, you should replace them once a year or two. You might also want to consider changing your bearings if you want an upgrade in speed, if you break your bearings or your current ones start to slow down.

Also, can I replace just one wheel bearing? After it's diagnosed and you know for sure it's a wheel bearing, your mechanic tells you "if one wheel bearing failed, you should replace both," that's just not true, and if your mechanic tells you that you need to replace both wheel bearings because one has failed, find a new mechanic!

Furthermore, how long should a bearing last?

approximately eight to 12 years

Can you clean bearings with wd40?

Chances are you just have to clean and lubricate your bearings. It's important to use a silicone-based lubricant. WD40 or others like it will dry out your bearings and attract dust and dirt. You can pick up a bottle of Bones Speed Cream at the skate shop, or try some Prolong from the auto parts store.

Related Question Answers

What is the best lubricant for skateboard bearings?

Top 5 Best Lubricants For Skateboard Bearings
  • 1 Bones Speed Cream Skate Bearing Lubricant.
  • 2 Boca Bearings High Speed Oil.
  • 3 Monkey Loob Skateboard Bearing Oil Made in USA.
  • 4 Triple Elite Liberty Oil for Skateboard Wheel Bearings.
  • 5 Oust Bearings Speed Kleen Kit.

How long do bearings last skateboard?

They're fast, reliable and with proper maintenance you won't need to replace them anytime soon. I've heard people say they lasted them 15 years. This seems a bit long though, it also depends how hardcore and how often you skate.

What household items can I use to clean skateboard bearings?

Cleaning Skateboard Bearings Using Household Items These household materials include the acetone-based nail cuticle removers, bike oil petroleum jelly, and silicone-based lubricants to grease them before you reassemble the wheels.

Should you oil skateboard bearings?

It is best to use lubricant specifically intended for skateboard bearings. You should only need two or three drops of lubricant in each bearing. After applying the lubricant, spin the bearing to distribute throughout the bearing.

How expensive is it to replace a wheel bearing?

You will pay about $400, on average, for front wheel bearing replacement. The labor will be anywhere from $140-$180, while parts may cost as little as $200 or as much as $400. The difference in prices is due to the cost of parts for more expensive cars as well as the various fees that individual mechanics charge.

What is better sealed or shielded bearings?

“Shields are metallic and there is no contact between the shield bore and the bearing inner ring. “However, while contact seals provide better protection against contamination there is an increase in rotational torque due to friction between the seal lip and bearing inner ring.

What kind of noise does a bad wheel bearing make?

Most people describe a bad wheel bearing as making a growling or rumbling noise (the sound is often mistaken for worn tires). Also, in some cases, a bad bearing may make a high-pitched grinding or squealing sound. In either case, the frequency of the sound will correspond to the rotation of the tires.

Can you over grease wheel bearings?

A common and costly problem in grease application comes from over-greasing bearings. Over-greasing bearings can lead to abnormally high operating temperatures, damaged seals, and in some cases, such as electric motors, energy complications and failure.

How long can you drive on a bad wheel bearing?

The heat would crash the wheel completely. To avoid this situation, it is recommended to drive at the slower speed so that your wheel stays in action a few more hours. SO, while thinking how long can you drive on a bad bearing? You should not go more than 1000 miles as it might result in some bigger issue.

What would cause a wheel bearing to keep going bad?

The main reasons that a wheel bearing fails are: Faulty installation – inappropriate tools such as a hammer or an impact wrench can cause damage to the exterior and or interior of the wheel end bearing causing the wheel bearing to fail prematurely.

What happens if a wheel bearing fails?

Progressive damage: Once a wheel bearing begins to fail, it will affect other components. The bearings won't allow the wheel to turn freely, which exacerbates the problem. It also puts stress and strain on the hub, the CV joint, the axle, and the transmission.

Can a bad wheel bearing affect acceleration?

Steering Wheel Vibration Unlike a tire balance problem that typically shows up at higher speeds, a vibration in the steering wheel due to a bad bearing will be noticed at slower speeds and progressively get worse as the vehicle accelerates.

How much grease do you put in a bearing?

FOR STARTERS, note that most sealed bearings come pre-greased from the factory with a 25%-35% grease fill. This is all the grease the bearings will ever need, because the relubrication interval (explained below) is longer than the expected life of the bearing.

Is it hard to replace a wheel bearing?

Removing this nut is often the most difficult part of replacing the wheel hub assembly. You're looking at a very large nut with a whole lot of torque on it, that spins freely as a part of its normal operation. Fortunately, the brake rotor is fixed to the wheel bearing assembly.

What happens if you don t fix a wheel bearing?

It may become more pronounced during turns as the car's weight shifts and a different load is placed on the wheel. Ultimate damage: If you don't replace a damaged wheel bearing before it fails completely, the wheel will completely seize up. If this happens while you're driving, the results can be catastrophic.

Do you need an alignment after replacing a wheel bearing?

Replacing a wheel bearing will not require an alignment, unless the car was aligned previously with a bad wheel bearing. Otherwise, it'll be fine.

How long does it take to change a wheel bearing?

Rear wheel drive, tapered roller bearing: about 15-45 minutes; wear gloves or spend another 10 minutes washing grease off your hands. Front wheel drive with pressed on bearing: 30–120 minutes depending on whether it can be pulled off and pressed in with a specialty tool.

What happens if you keep driving with a bad wheel bearing?

If a wheel bearing goes bad, more friction will be placed on the wheel, and the wheel will start to wobble. It is not safe to drive with a missing wheel bearing. Driving without a wheel bearing is dangerous, so if you experience any of the 3 signs below, contact a mechanic as soon as possible.

Should you replace all wheel bearings at the same time?

If there's no play or noise in the other wheel bearing, there's no need to replace it. Both have the same number of miles so both have nearly the same wear. There is no reason to replace bearings in pairs unless you like the feeling of money leaving your hands.