Count on Nissan of Staten Island for all your project needs, plus expert answers to all your parts questions. Wheel hubs and bearings allow wheels to spin freely while supporting vehicle weight. They handle enormous forces from acceleration, braking, cornering, and road impacts. Failed bearings create dangerous conditions and damage surrounding components.

The Job of Wheel Hubs and Bearings

Wheel bearings consist of precision steel balls or tapered rollers that minimize friction between moving parts. The hub assembly houses these bearings and creates the mounting surface for wheels and brake components. Models like the Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Sentra use sealed bearing units that eliminate lubrication maintenance. Bearings must handle weight pressing down and sideways forces during turns. They rotate continuously at speeds matching your vehicle's movement.

What Damages Hubs and Bearings

Water and dirt contamination destroys bearing grease and causes rapid wear. Pothole impacts create flat spots on bearing surfaces that produce vibration and noise. Incorrect installation torque damages seals or applies wrong bearing preload. Extended use gradually wears away precision-machined surfaces. Age deteriorates seals that keep contaminants out and lubricant in. Aftermarket wheel hubs and bearings often use inferior steel alloys that wear faster. We see many failed generic bearings that genuine parts would have outlasted by significant mileage.

Detecting Bearing Failure Early

Growling, humming, or grinding noises that increase with speed indicate bearing problems. The sound typically becomes louder when turning in one direction. Excessive wheel play when rocking the tire suggests bearing looseness or damage. Uneven tire wear can result from bearings allowing improper wheel positioning. Most wheel bearings require replacement between 90,000 and 160,000 miles depending on driving conditions. Genuine Nissan wheel hubs and bearings are manufactured to strict tolerances that ensure proper interaction with your suspension system. Generic versions might install but often generate noise, vibration, or premature failure.

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