Wheel bearings - should I replace both or just the bad one?

[winstonrodney]

I have a bad front wheel bearing. Going to have it replaced next week by my trusted shop.

My question to the greater forum knowledge base is: Should I replace both of the front wheel bearings or just the one that went out?

2007 with 180k on them.

 

[Drunner97]

I have a bad front wheel bearing. Going to have it replaced next week by my trusted shop.

My question to the greater forum knowledge base is: Should I replace both of the front wheel bearings or just the one that went out?

2007 with 180k on them.

I'd just do both and be done with it for awhile. Front bearings are an easy swap. I'd just buy the completed assemblies and do it yourself, save some money.

 

[nevada]

I have a bad front wheel bearing. Going to have it replaced next week by my trusted shop.

My question to the greater forum knowledge base is: Should I replace both of the front wheel bearings or just the one that went out?

2007 with 180k on them.

I have replaced 100s of bearings professionally over the last 20 years. seldom if ever do I do both at the same time. in fact, I rarely change the other side on the same vehicle. most people sell their rigs before the other side goes. I say rarely, because some vehicles have an issue with bearings. toyotas do not seem to be one of those.

if the other side is tight, and not making any noise, it could give you many miles and years of trouble free service.

however, for piece of mind, you can absolutely have them both changed. this is something I have done for some customers over the years. the one thing about wheel bearings though, they typically give you ample warning before catastrophically failing. so its not like you would suddenly be stranded somewhere because one goes out, if you don't change it today...

 

[CookieRoe]

I have a bad front wheel bearing. Going to have it replaced next week by my trusted shop.

My question to the greater forum knowledge base is: Should I replace both of the front wheel bearings or just the one that went out?

2007 with 180k on them.

if you don't mind me asking, what symptoms are you experiencing? I have a droning sound that I can't make out if it's coming from the wheels or one of the diffs. Thanks

 

[winstonrodney]

Yep, it's a droning sound coming from the front. I initially thought it just road noise from my snow tires I had just put on. But a good friend who happens to be an ex-Toyota mechanic rode with me and instantly said "sounds like a bearing's going out." It's gotten slightly louder as time has gone on. I can't point to a specific time when it started, but could be 5000 miles ago, maybe longer.

 

[winstonrodney]

I have replaced 100s of bearings professionally over the last 20 years. seldom if ever do I do both at the same time. in fact, I rarely change the other side on the same vehicle. most people sell their rigs before the other side goes. I say rarely, because some vehicles have an issue with bearings. toyotas do not seem to be one of those.

if the other side is tight, and not making any noise, it could give you many miles and years of trouble free service.

however, for piece of mind, you can absolutely have them both changed. this is something I have done for some customers over the years. the one thing about wheel bearings though, they typically give you ample warning before catastrophically failing. so its not like you would suddenly be stranded somewhere because one goes out, if you don't change it today...

Thanks for the advice! I'll have my guy check the other and see if it's tight.

 

[Warwicke36]

I've worked on vehicles professionally for 16 years. I never do more than the one that's bad. Get the HUB unit and swap it out yourself in short time and get back to enjoying your vehicle. Cheers!

 

[hamel]

Had a shop replace drivers side, but passenger side was still good.

It gave out about 2 years later. I did that one my self with a preassembled one from Marion and it was a quick job with the right tools.

 

[hinmo24t]

does the droning youre referring to happen at low speeds while turning?

my buddys hyundai elantra had wheel bearing replaced from a whining sound straight on highway...while i noticed taking a right hand turn at low speeds i hear a rotational sound, almost tire sounding, wondering if its wheel bearing or something hub related. i cant hear anything troubling at speed or going straight.

 

[TannerW]

I replaced one and then the other one went out about 1,000 miles later while I was on a road trip without any tools on me. Like previously stated I would just replace both for peace of mind.

 

[jbtvt]

If you start replacing everything that might be at 75% +/- lifespan on a 180k mile rig, you're going to have some hefty repair bills. I replaced 1 wb on my GX a couple years and 20k+ miles ago when it had more play than I like, other 3 are still fine. Even when I did a full front end refresh on my GS I didn't touch wbs. You'll know when they need it, with plenty of time to spare.

 

[andes]

Thanks for the advice, I'm just going to do the one side, and maybe I get another 50k from the other side

 

[andes]

I've worked on vehicles professionally for 16 years. I never do more than the one that's bad. Get the HUB unit and swap it out yourself in short time and get back to enjoying your vehicle. Cheers!

does the OEM hub unit have a part number or various part numbers?

 

[originalg00kster]

I just replaced the bad side and kept the other new wheel bearing in my garage.

 

[originalg00kster]

I just replaced the bad side and kept the other new wheel bearing in my garage.

 

[Drcoffee]

You know if I was paying a mechanic, I just do the bad bearing. Doing myself, I do both. The cost is so cheap and its one less thing to fix when its 25*F with the kids in the back. $50 a bearing and $12 for new seals per side is cheap insurance. And like most jobs, it sucks to do it twice. You have the tools and its always quicker on the second side.