How Long Can You Drive On A Bad Wheel Bearing?

That roaring or humming sound coming from one of your wheels that gets louder the faster you go? That’s the classic sign of a bad wheel bearing. Now you’re probably wondering just how long you can you drive on a bad wheel bearing before fixing it. The simple, direct answer from a mechanic is: you really shouldn’t. Let’s break down why this is a safety issue you can’t ignore.

How Long Can You Drive On A Bad Wheel Bearing

A bad wheel bearing is a nightmare for every driver. To deal with it, there are a few things that you should know, especially when going on a long road trip.

The bad wheel bearing is the worst and needs to be replaced immediately. But what if you are in the middle of a deserted place where you can do nothing but drive ahead? Well, in this situation, you can hear some faint echoing or humming sound from the right back.

At first glance, it might seem like the tire has gone out of balance. Later or sooner, the increasing noise would clear that it’s a bad wheel bearing. There is no lubrication on the worn wheel to keep it unruffled.

As a result, the increase in speed would develop too much heat as well. The heat would crash the wheel completely. To avoid this situation, it is recommended to drive at a slower speed so that your wheel stays in action for 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 issues.

You can drive at a speed of 40mph by staying side by side slowly and steadily. Now, try to shift the vehicle’s weight from one side to another. As discussed earlier, do not drive harshly or fast to avoid the car spinning out. Check if the noise is getting softer or louder. If the noise has reduced, keep on driving until you find the garage or mechanic shop.

Besides, there might be a chance that the damaged bearing is on the left. So, follow the same procedure to drive a few miles extra with it.

Well, one can never predict a bad wheel bearing by the noise, as a chopped tire could be the reason behind it. The sound of the chopped tire can also increase with increasing speed. So, you have to be careful while diagnosing the actual problem. However, you can use the maintenance tips to deal with the bad wheel bearing as well.

Is It Safe To Drive With The Bad Wheel Bearing?

Bad wheel bearings can cause several potentially dangerous situations, starting with your vehicle not responding as quickly as it should. Your tires will also wear faster, and you may experience uneven tire wear.

Last, but not least, your wheel may fall off completely while driving, as car wheel bearings are essential to keeping the wheels attached to your vehicle. So the question “Can you drive with a bad wheel bearing?”

We answer that you can drive with the worn wheel, but we don’t recommend doing this. It is very dangerous to drive if one of your bearings wears out, especially since it can cause the wheels to stop while driving.

In addition, a damaged wheel bearing puts a lot of stress on the shaft, the coupling, and the transmission itself. In this situation, you should take this chance to reach the nearest repair store.

In the worst-case scenario, the wheel might completely turn around, which can result in serious injuries to the traffic around.

How Long Will A Wheel Bearing Last After It Starts Making Noise?

A loud noise from your wheel is one of the most common symptoms of a bad bearing. Normally, when the lubrication in the bearings is degraded, it will cause the balls to be in friction and the bearings to be broken. This noise will become louder when you turn your steering wheel or drive at high speed.

This causes the wheel to move and will make an annoying noise and gradually damage the wheel shaft. But the concern of many drivers is how long wheel bearings last when making noise.

Normally, the average lifespan of your wheel bearing will be around 150,000 miles. However, if you notice the noise emitting (like humming or grinding) from the wheel, it can be a sign that your wheel bearing is only lasting for a few thousand miles (about 1000 miles).

In emergencies, you can still drive with a noisy bearing; however, it’s recommended to have your car fixed as soon as possible by a trusted mechanic. 

Check out this video to learn How to check a Wheel bearing:

Conclusion

In the end, it comes down to this: you can’t predict when a bad wheel bearing will go from being a noisy annoyance to a catastrophic failure. Continuing to drive on it is a gamble with your safety and the safety of others on the road. That humming sound is a clear warning—get it fixed as soon as you can.

So, now you know how long can you drive on a bad wheel bearing.

Be careful with the wheel bearing and enjoy a safe journey!