Hub Bearings and Assemblies
A 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.
What it does
The assembly carries the wheel and its loads on a pre-sealed bearing that requires no adjustment or packing. Many include the magnetic encoder ring the ABS sensor reads.
Signs a hub bearing assembly is failing
- Droning or humming that varies with road speed
- ABS or traction control warning lights
- Play at the wheel when rocked
- A grinding or rumbling from one corner
When to replace them
Not scheduled. Replaced as a complete unit when noise, play or an ABS fault develops.
What to confirm before ordering
Have these ready and the counter can usually confirm the part in under a minute.
- Number of stud holes and the bolt pattern
- Whether an ABS encoder is integrated, and its orientation
- Front or rear, and driven or non-driven
- Correct torque specification, which is critical on these assemblies
Hub Bearings and Assemblies questions
Why does a failed hub bearing trigger the ABS light?
Because on many assemblies the magnetic encoder ring the ABS sensor reads is built into the bearing seal. As the bearing fails, that ring is damaged or the gap changes, and the sensor signal becomes unreliable.
Can the bearing be replaced separately from the hub?
On a sealed hub assembly, no. It is supplied and replaced as one unit, which is more expensive as a part but considerably quicker to fit and needs no press work.