How much does it cost to replace wheel bearings on a Subaru
Lucas Hayes
Updated on April 10, 2026
For a national average across all vehicles, the average cost to replace the wheel bearings (for 1 wheel) is about $350.
How long do wheel bearings last on a Subaru?
How long does a wheel bearing last? Wheel bearings have an average lifespan of 136,000 to 160,000 km (approximately 85,000 to 100,000 miles).
How do I know if my Subaru wheel bearings are bad?
- Humming Noise. The most easily identifiable and most common symptom of bad wheel bearings is an audible one. …
- Squealing, Growling. …
- Clicking Sound. …
- Wheel Wobble. …
- ABS Failure. …
- Uneven Tire Wear. …
- Vehicle Pulls to One Side. …
- Steering Wheel Vibration.
How much does it cost to get all wheel bearings replaced?
The labor cost for a wheel bearing replacement also varies and will generally cost anywhere from $60 to $300. It should take between 1 to 1.5 labor hours to change the wheel bearing. In total, the cost to replace a wheel bearing is around $150 to $800.How much should it cost to replace front wheel bearings?
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.
Is it safe to drive with a noisy wheel bearing?
It is safe to drive with a bad wheel bearing only if you just started to hear a humming, whining, grinding, or growling sound coming from the front or rear wheels. This indicates that the wheel bearing has begun failing and you would need to replace it as soon as possible.
Can I drive with bad wheel bearing?
Q: Is it safe to drive with a bad wheel bearing? A: No. It can, in fact, be very dangerous to drive if one of your bearings is worn out, especially since it may cause the wheel to stop while driving. Additionally, a damaged wheel bearing puts a lot of stress on the hub, the CV joint, and the transmission itself.
How long does it take to replace a wheel bearing?
Replacing a single wheel bearing can take 90 to 120 minutes depending on the type of vehicle and complexity. There are a lot of moving parts that need to be maintained and properly sealed to complete this type of work.How much does a wheel bearing job cost?
The national average is about $350 to fix the wheel bearings at one wheel. As you might imagine, however, luxury brands cost more. Please note: If the wheel bearings need replacing at one wheel, you don’t necessary need to replace the bearings at the other wheel on the same axle. It’s not like matching a pair of tires.
Can you replace a wheel bearing yourself?Changing your own wheel bearings is considered an intermediate job that can be done at home, but will need some speciality mechanic tools. … Be sure to obtain your vehicle’s service manual and identify the type of wheel bearing your vehicle is equipped with before you begin the repair.
Article first time published onDo Subarus have bearings?
Subaru and most either All Wheel Drive or front wheel drive vehicles use a similar design. … So if confronted with a wheel bearing issue in a Subaru know it’s bound to happen, there are 4 of them, and slowly over the life of the car all 4 will probably have to be replaced and the right rear more than once.
Should I replace wheel bearings in pairs?
Should car wheel bearings be replaced in pairs? No, bearings do not wear in or form to each other. You only need to replace bearings that are actually bad.
Is it hard to replace a wheel bearing?
Is it easy to replace a wheel bearing at home? Replacing a wheel bearing that comes as an assembly with the hub and bolts to the spindle or steering knuckle is not very difficult if you have proper skills, tools and the manual. Of course, the large axle nut is very tight and can be difficult to remove.
How much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing Canada?
The average cost for replacing wheel bearings is between $155 and $595 in Edmonton one of our team can get you an accurate quote at 780-485-1993. Some things to consider before replacing the bearing is that you may need to replace the whole wheel bearing hub assembly.
Do wheel bearings affect brakes?
We found significant play in the bearing, which can lead to a soft brake pedal. Brake rotors are held in alignment by wheel bearings. If you have a faulty or loose wheel bearing, the rotor will wobble on its axis. … This causes a low or spongy brake pedal.
What happens if you don't replace a bad wheel bearing?
The bearings won’t allow the wheel to turn freely, which exacerbates the problem. … 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.
What causes wheel bearing noise?
What causes wheel bearing noise? Over time these bearings can become loose or worn. This wear will be accelerated if the grease has leaked out or dirt, grit or water have found their way inside. The first time you may know you have a problem is at a service or MoT test.
How can you tell the difference between bad CV joints and bad wheel bearings?
If it moves back and forth, the wheel bearing is bad. A CV joint will make a clack, clack, clack noise, most often when turning. A wheel bearing will make a constant droning noise while you are moving. CV joints clunk or make louder noises on tight turns.
How long can you drive on a humming wheel bearing?
In cases where you are in an isolated spot and your wheel bearing starts to go bad, you can possibly drive for about 1600 kilometers. Driving to this distance may not cause significant damage to your wheels.
Does a wheel bearing make a grinding noise?
How your wheel/hub bearings can make a grinding noise. Designed to serve as a buffer between the axle and wheel, wheel or hub bearings eliminate friction between these parts. If your wheel bearings are worn, it can cause a grinding noise while turning the vehicle.
How long will a worn wheel bearing last?
How Long Do Wheel Bearings Last? Although wheel bearings are engineered to last the entire lifespan of your vehicle, they can break and get worn out. Most wheel bearings last about 85,000 to 100,000 miles before they need to be replaced.
How much is a rear wheel bearing?
As for the rear wheel bearings, they will be a tad cheaper to replace but this will of course depend on the car make and model. The cost of a complete rear wheel bearing replacement will be somewhere in area of $240 to $460. Parts will on average be between $100 and $180. The labor costs will be around $140 to $280.
How often do wheel bearings need replaced?
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.
Can bad wheel bearing affect transmission?
Continuing to drive with a bad wheel bearing is very dangerous. A faulty wheel bearing will affect many other important components on your vehicle like the hub, CV joint, axle and even the transmission. Even worse, if a damaged wheel bearing fails completely, the wheel will seize and you will have an accident.
Will a bad wheel bearing affect gas mileage?
If the torque applied was too high the bearings can be put into excessive pre-load, or if the torque was too low, the bearings can have excessive endplay. Both of which could affect fuel economy and the performance of the bearings over time.
What does a bad wheel bearing sound like on a Subaru Forester?
A defective wheel bearing can be the cause of humming noise in your Subaru Forester. The most common sign of bad wheel bearing is grinding or humming noise in the cabin from the direction of the affected wheel. … The faster you drive your Forester, the louder the humming noise gets.
What size is a Subaru axle nut?
The axle nut size for a subaru legacy is 32mm with a thread size of m22-1.50.