Wheel Hubs 101: What You Need to Know About This Important Component

When you think of a vehicle's most important components, what comes to mind?

The engine? The transmission? What about the wheels?

Yes, it's hard to imagine a car without wheels. Even though the engine and transmission are critical components to any vehicle's drivetrain, without wheels, a vehicle wouldn't be able to roll from place to place. But in order to have functional, rolling wheels, there first needs to be a viable wheel hub assembly. Without a viable wheel hub assembly, or WHA, the vehicle's wheels won't perform properly, thereby limiting the potential of the vehicle itself.

The Importance of the Wheel Hub

We already told how important a wheel hub is as it pertains to a properly functioning vehicle, but there's a lot more to the automotive component than what may initially meet the eye. A well functioning wheel hub assembly doesn't just ensure the wheels roll properly, but that they roll smoothly as well. 

Wheel hubs are located in the center of the car's wheels. Specifically, you can find them situated between the drive axle and brake drums. Essentially, wheel hub assemblies work to connect the wheel to the vehicle body. The assembly contains bearings, which allow the wheels to roll quietly and efficiently. As you may have guessed, wheel hubs are a mainstay on the vast majority of cars, light and heavy-duty trucks, and passenger vehicles to boot. 

Like most automotive components, however, wheel hubs don't last forever. And when you notice signs of wheel hub assembly wear, it's important to act swiftly to avoid potential serious issues. In the next section, we take a closer look at how to tell the difference between a bad wheel hub and a good wheel hub.

How to Tell a Good Wheel Hub vs. a Bad Wheel Hub

In order to get an idea of how to tell a good wheel hub from a bad one, it's easier to take a look at some of the signs and symptoms that often indicate that a hub needs repair or replacement. This is largely because good wheel hubs aren't necessarily something we take notice of, but a bad wheel hub is fairly easy to get a read on if you know what to look and listen for. 

So how do you know when a wheel hub might be on the fritz? Here's a closer look at some signs:

• An obvious grinding sound: A grinding or rubbing noise typically indicates one of two things when it comes to the wheel hub assembly. One, it could signify that the wheel bearing is worn out and warrants replacement. Or two, it could indicate that the entire assembly needs to be replaced, especially if the noise is noticeable when the vehicle is in drive.
• Your ABS light comes on: Wheel hub assemblies are often connected to the vehicles anti-lock braking system. Often times, the ABS indicator will light up on the vehicle's dashboard when the diagnostic system detects an issue with the way the wheel assembly is operating.
• A humming sound coming from the wheels: Though a grinding or rubbing noise is the most obvious sign of wheel hub issues, a humming sound coming from the wheels can also indicate that there's an issue.

Wheel Hub Replacement Cost

Though automotive repairs are never fun, they're a part of being a vehicle owner. With that said, you might be wondering just how much a new wheel hub assembly costs. It's not an easy question to answer, largely because it depends on the make and model of your vehicle. For instance, if you drive a truck, it's likely to be a more expensive replacement than if you had a smaller car. If you have a vehicle with anti-lock brakes, it's also going to be more expensive, as there are more steps that must be taken to properly replace the assembly. Labor times are another factor to take into consideration when it comes to having the assembly replaced. A Chevy Silverado truck, for example, may take several hours to perform the work on. Conversely, a small passenger vehicle may only take an hour to complete the work on.

In a nutshell, replacing the wheel hub assembly can range from under $100 to several hundred dollars - it all depends on what you drive and the extent of the repair or replacement. One way, however, to save some money on new wheel hubs is to purchase them from a reputable retailer, such as HD Wheels. Purchasing through such a retailer versus a mechanic can often yield a significant savings when it comes to overall cost.

On each wheel, you’ll find the wheel hub assembly between the drive axle and the brake drums or discs. On the brake disc side, the wheel is attached to the bolts of the wheel hub assembly. While on the side of the drive axle, the hub assembly is mounted to the steering knuckle either as a bolt-on or press-in assembly.

To see the wheel hub assembly, you’ll need to remove the wheel and then remove the brake caliper and brake rotor.

On most late-model vehicles manufactured since 1998, there is a wheel hub assembly in each wheel. When the assembly goes bad, it is removed and replaced with a new assembly. On cars made before 1997, front wheel drive cars use wheel hub assemblies at each wheel and rear wheel drive vehicles use two individual bearings and seals in both front wheels. Unlike a wheel hub assembly, bearings can be serviced.

What does a hub assembly do?