So I think its time yet again to replace the wheel bearings, because recently I noticed that once I get over 55mph my whole steering wheel and car shake like its bout to fall apart but under its a dream machine. I replaced em about 6 months ago and I am wondering if this is a sign that they are goin or gone? also how long can you drive on a bad wheel bearing before your F'd? How do they go bad and are there ways to help stop these from goin cuz they area common failure point on our cars?

 

imo wheel bearings should last longer then 6 mos... but then again what do i know?

 

My wheel bearings are needing a replacement too. 106k on the car. I think they've been bad for at least 1,000 miles. Getting progressively noisier.

 

Id have to agree...

Getting your wheels balanced might help it

 

I had to replace WB's last week, end up that rear suspension bushings where done too.
It was a PITA job to replace. I spend 2 saturdays fixing this. But now the car feels solid again.
My mech told me the bushings where the cause of my bad bearings. Alignment is crutial too.
2 WB 60$X2 = 120 $
Rear susp bushing kits (16 of em) = 182 $
16 hour of work = free (
alignment 60$

Pleasure is back again

 

if you dont hear a groaning sound when your driving then it isnt a wheel bearing. A wheel bearing shoudnt cause the car to shake. It could be that your wheels need to be balanced.

 

I've been looking for wheel bearing for my 2002 s4 and it looks like the front and back are the same part. Can someone verify this for me? The Parts store said there were different sizes but two of his distributers have a discprenesey about what is the front and whats the back. Any Help out there?

 

If you are feeling it in the steering especially at certain speeds only, I'd say get your front tires balanced first.