Bearings parts
Bearings carry rotating loads with minimal friction. Wheel and hub bearings support the vehicle weight while the wheel turns, and smaller bearings inside alternators and starters support their armatures.
A failing wheel bearing announces itself as a droning hum that changes with road speed and often alters when the vehicle is loaded through a corner. Left long enough it becomes a safety failure rather than a noise complaint.
Modern wheel bearings are frequently supplied as a sealed hub assembly rather than as a separate bearing, sometimes with the ABS sensor ring integrated. Which one applies changes both the price and the labour.
Bearings inside alternators and starters are worth knowing about, because a noisy alternator is often a bearing rather than a failed unit, and a bearing is a fraction of the cost.
Bearings parts we supply
- Alternator BearingsAlternator bearings support the rotor shaft inside the alternator. They are a common cause of alternator noise and can often be replaced instead of the complete unit.
- Hub Bearings and AssembliesA hub bearing assembly combines the wheel bearing, hub flange and often the ABS sensor ring into a single sealed unit that bolts to the suspension upright.
- Starter Bearings and BushesStarter bearings and bushes support the armature shaft inside the starter motor, keeping it centred as it spins the engine during starting.
- Wheel BearingsA wheel bearing supports the vehicle’s weight while allowing the wheel to rotate with minimal friction. It is a safety-critical component and a common source of driving noise, usually a droning hum that changes with speed.
Bearings questions
How do I know which wheel bearing my vehicle takes?
Confirm whether the application uses a separate bearing pressed into the hub or a complete sealed hub assembly, and whether an ABS sensor ring is integrated. These change the part and the labour, and the branch will ask.
What does a failing wheel bearing sound like?
A droning or humming noise that rises and falls with road speed rather than engine speed. It typically changes in volume when the vehicle is loaded through a corner, because cornering shifts load across the axle.