Catastrophic Wheel Bearing Failure: What It Is and How to Prevent It
Catastrophic Wheel Bearing Failure: What It Is and How to Prevent It
Catastrophic wheel bearing failure is a serious problem that can lead to a loss of control of your vehicle and a potentially fatal accident. This type of failure occurs when the wheel bearing seizes up, causing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,244 fatal accidents involving wheel bearing failures between 2000 and 2010. That's an average of one fatal accident every 10 days.
What Causes Catastrophic Wheel Bearing Failure?
There are several factors that can contribute to catastrophic wheel bearing failure, including:
- Lack of lubrication: Wheel bearings need to be properly lubricated in order to function properly. If the bearings are not lubricated, they can overheat and seize up.
- Excessive wear: Wheel bearings can also fail due to excessive wear. This can be caused by driving on rough roads, overloading the vehicle, or not having the wheels aligned properly.
- Defective parts: In some cases, catastrophic wheel bearing failure can be caused by defective parts. This is why it is important to only purchase wheel bearings from reputable manufacturers.
How to Prevent Catastrophic Wheel Bearing Failure
There are several things you can do to prevent catastrophic wheel bearing failure, including:
- Regularly inspect your wheel bearings: You should inspect your wheel bearings regularly for signs of wear or damage. If you see any problems, you should have them repaired or replaced immediately.
- Keep your vehicle properly lubricated: You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for lubricating your vehicle. This will help to keep the wheel bearings properly lubricated.
- Avoid overloading your vehicle: You should avoid overloading your vehicle, as this can put excessive stress on the wheel bearings.
- Have your wheels aligned regularly: You should have your wheels aligned regularly to prevent excessive wear on the wheel bearings.
- Purchase high-quality wheel bearings: When you need to replace your wheel bearings, you should purchase high-quality bearings from a reputable manufacturer.
By following these tips, you can help to prevent catastrophic wheel bearing failure and keep your vehicle safe on the road.
| Tips to Preventing Catastrophic Wheel Bearing Failure | Consequences of Catastrophic Wheel Bearing Failure |
|---|---|
| Inspect your wheel bearings regularly | Loss of control of the vehicle |
| Keep your vehicle properly lubricated | Vehicle damage |
| Avoid overloading your vehicle | Injury or death |
| Have your wheels aligned regularly | Increased likelihood of an accident |
| Purchase high-quality wheel bearings |
Success Stories
- A man in California was driving his car down the highway when his catastrophic wheel bearing failure. The wheel detached from the vehicle and the car rolled over several times. The man was seriously injured, but he survived.
- A woman in Texas was driving her car to work when her catastrophic wheel bearing failure. The wheel detached from the vehicle and the car crashed into a tree. The woman was killed in the accident.
- A family in Florida was driving their car to a vacation when their catastrophic wheel bearing failure. The wheel detached from the vehicle and the car crashed into a ditch. The family was injured, but they survived.
These are just a few examples of the devastating consequences that can result from catastrophic wheel bearing failure. By following the tips in this article, you can help to prevent this type of failure and keep your vehicle safe on the road.
Additional Resources
- NHTSA: Wheel Bearing Failures
- Automotive Service Association: Wheel Bearing Inspection and Replacement
- Car and Driver: How to Inspect and Replace Wheel Bearings
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