Wheel Bearing Replacement Cost (2026)

Replacing a wheel bearing costs about $195–$755 per wheel at an independent shop in 2026 when it’s a bolt-on hub assembly: $60–$305 for the hub (economy to Timken on a 2018 Camry) plus about 1.35–3.0 hours of labor at $100–$150/hr (published recall times from Volkswagen and MOOG). A genuine GM truck hub lists at $391.84 before labor. Press-in bearings are cheap parts ($13–$66 on a Civic) but need a shop press.

Sources: chain price pages, retailer and manufacturer list prices, official documents (below) · Prices checked 2026-11-09 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology

Wheel Bearing Replacement cost by service type

ServiceParts / fluidLaborTypical shop total
Bolt-on hub bearing assembly, one wheel$60–$3052018 Camry (Silverado $66–$211)1.35–3 hr$195–$755[1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6]Hub + 1.35–3.0 hr (VW recall, about 2.7 hr for both sides; MOOG recall 3.0 hr) × $100–$150/hr
Press-in wheel bearing, one wheel$13–$662015 Civic, bearing only—Needs a press; no published time foundLabor not published — get a quote[7],[8]Bearing list prices; add labor (knuckle removed and pressed)
Dealer, genuine GM truck hub$392GM 84869190 MSRP3 hr$765–$915[4],[9],[10],[11]MSRP + 3.0 hr (MOOG recall truck time) × dealer rate $125–$175/hr

Published labor comes from recall bulletins: Volkswagen lists 270 time units (about 2.7 hours) for both front bearings on 2019 GTI/Jetta GLI models; MOOG lists 3.0 hours for a front bearing unit on heavy-duty Ford trucks. Ask for the book hours for your car. Before tax, shop-supply and disposal fees. Where we derive a total, labor is hours × $$100–$150 per hour[5],[6]. See the methodology.

DIY vs. shop vs. dealer

WhereCostWhat you get
DIY$60–$305Bolt-on hub, one wheelA bolt-on hub is a manageable DIY job with a breaker bar and torque wrench. A press-in bearing ($13–$66) needs a press and support fixture, Timken notes, so many owners take the knuckle to a shop.[1],[7],[8]
Chain / independent shop$195–$755Bolt-on hub, one wheelHub plus labor at $100–$150/hr. We found no chain that posts a wheel bearing price.[5],[6]
Dealer$765–$915GM truck hub, derivedGM lists its 2014–19 Silverado/Sierra front hub at $391.84 (often sold for about $203); at dealer labor rates the job works out as shown.[9],[10],[11]

Torque the axle nut and hub bolts to the manufacturer’s spec; Timken says loss of bearing retention is the leading cause of hub bearing damage.[8]

What drives the cost

  • Bolt-on hub vs. press-in bearing: the press-in part costs far less ($13–$66 vs. $60–$305), but labor is higher because the knuckle comes off.[1],[7],[8]
  • Brand: economy hubs cost a fraction of Timken or OE-brand units on the same car ($60 vs. $305 on a 2018 Camry).[1]
  • 4WD and integrated ABS sensors: truck hubs for 4WD with a built-in wheel-speed sensor cost more.[2]
  • Truck vs. car labor: MOOG’s published time for a heavy-duty truck front bearing is 3.0 hours.[4]

When you actually need it

Timken lists the symptoms: grinding (roller or raceway damage), a rumble when driving straight that changes when you turn slightly — usually the bad side is opposite the rumble — and clicking on sharp turns from excessive endplay.[12]

A failing bearing can trigger the ABS warning light: Timken notes excessive endplay can damage wheel-speed sensors. A damaged sensor cable can do the same, so get it diagnosed before buying a hub.[12]

If the ABS light came on with the noise, see the ABS warning light.

More repair costs

AC recharge (freon) costTransmission fluid change / flush costTPMS sensor replacement costBrake pad replacement costCar battery replacement costCoolant flush costSpark plug replacement costSerpentine belt replacement costTiming belt replacement costWater pump replacement costWheel alignment costTire rotation costShocks and struts replacement costCV axle replacement costAlternator replacement costStarter replacement costCatalytic converter replacement costFuel pump replacement costRadiator replacement costHybrid battery replacement costEV and Tesla battery replacement costOil change costAll repair costs →

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing?

About $195–$755 per wheel at an independent shop for a bolt-on hub assembly: $60–$305 for the part plus 1.35–3.0 hours at $100–$150/hr. Press-in bearings cost $13–$66 for the part but take more labor.

How long does it take to replace a wheel bearing?

Published recall times: about 2.7 hours for both front bearings on 2019 VW GTI/Jetta GLI models, and 3.0 hours for a front bearing on heavy-duty Ford trucks.

Can I drive with a bad wheel bearing?

Not for long. Noise usually gets worse, and excessive play can damage ABS sensors; a bearing that fails completely can affect steering and braking. Have it checked soon.

Should wheel bearings be replaced in pairs?

There’s no rule that they must be; a bearing is replaced when it’s worn. Volkswagen’s recall did replace both front assemblies, and if the other side is noisy too, doing both saves labor later.

What does a bad wheel bearing sound like?

Timken describes a grinding or a rumble that grows when you turn slightly; the bad bearing is usually on the side opposite the rumble.

Sources

  1. RockAuto, 2018 Toyota Camry 2.5L wheel bearing & hub assemblies (catalog), accessed 2026-11-09.
  2. RockAuto, 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L wheel bearing & hub assemblies (catalog), accessed 2026-11-09.
  3. Volkswagen of America (Safety Recall 40P1 / 19V-879, via NHTSA), Replace front wheel bearing assemblies: labor operation and time units (2019-12-12), accessed 2026-11-09.
  4. Federal-Mogul / MOOG (recall 13E-055 owner notice, via NHTSA), Front wheel bearing unit replacement: estimated repair time (2013), accessed 2026-11-09.
  5. Ratchet+Wrench, 2026 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey (posted labor rate distribution, p. 13) (2026-06-29), accessed 2026-11-09.
  6. Ratchet+Wrench, Industry Insights: U.S. Auto Repair Shops and Labor Rate Trends (PartsTech 2025 shop survey) (2026-08-19), accessed 2026-11-09.
  7. RockAuto, 2015 Honda Civic 1.8L front wheel bearings (catalog), accessed 2026-11-09.
  8. Timken, TechTip LV10: bearing removal and installation (press-in bearings), accessed 2026-11-09.
  9. GM Parts Giant (GM dealer parts store), GM hub assembly, front wheel 84869190 (MSRP), accessed 2026-11-09.
  10. Dealership Guy, Reynolds and Reynolds: repair orders, rates increase for shops (Fixed Operation Golden Metrics 2026) (2026-08-17), accessed 2026-11-09.
  11. Reynolds and Reynolds, The Fixed Operations Golden Metrics 2025 (dealer effective labor rate) (2025-08), accessed 2026-11-09.
  12. Timken, TechTip: symptoms of a worn wheel hub bearing, accessed 2026-11-09.