Matija Pinko
Updated on July 27, 2022
If you’re hearing a loud noise when turning your car’s steering wheel, there’s a good chance you have a bad pinion bearing. This can be a serious issue, as it can lead to further damage to other parts of your car.
Pinion bearings are an essential part of the drivetrain in a car. They help to support the weight of the driveshaft and keep it properly aligned. If the bearings are starting to fail, there are a few different ways they can be fixed.
Pinion bearings can wear out over time due to normal use, lack of lubrication, or damage from debris. Replacing the pinion bearing is the only effective way to solve the issue, which costs between $200 and $500.
What’s a Pinion Bearing?
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A pinion bearing is a type of bearing that helps support the weight of a car’s drivetrain. The drivetrain is the system that transmits power from the engine to the wheels.
The pinion bearing is located at the point where the drivetrain meets the wheels. It helps to keep the drivetrain in alignment with the wheels, and it also absorbs some of the shock and vibration from road conditions.
Pinion bearings are subject to a lot of stress and wear, so they need to be replaced periodically. If a pinion bearing starts to fail, it can cause noise or vibration, or even damage to the drivetrain. Pinion bearings are usually replaced as part of a regular maintenance schedule for a car.
If you’re noticing noise or vibration coming from your car, it’s possible that the pinion bearing is starting to fail. You should have a mechanic check it out as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
Bad Pinion Bearing Symptoms
There are several symptoms that can indicate a problem with the pinion bearing.
- Noise: A bad pinion bearing will often make a whining or growling noise when the car is in motion. The noise may be worse when the car is first started, and it may change in pitch as the vehicle speed increases.
- Vibration: A failing pinion bearing can also cause vibration, which may be felt through the steering wheel, seat, or floor of the car. The vibration may be more noticeable at certain speeds, such as when accelerating or driving on the highway.
- Steering problems: In extreme cases, a bad pinion bearing can cause damage to the drivetrain. This can lead to problems with steering, such as difficulty turning or a feeling that the car is pulling to one side.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to have your car checked out by a mechanic. Pinion bearing failure can cause extensive damage to the drivetrain, so it’s best to catch the problem early.
What Causes Pinion Bearing Damage?
Pinion bearings are designed to last as long as the car itself, but they can be damaged by a number of factors.
- Excessive wear: Pinion bearings can wear out over time due to normal use. This is more likely to happen if the car is driven in conditions that are hard on the bearings, such as off-road or in stop-and-go traffic.
- Lack of lubrication: The pinion bearing needs to be properly lubricated to function correctly. If it doesn’t have enough lubrication, it will start to wear down faster. In some cases, the bearing may not be getting enough lubrication because the oil isn’t being changed frequently enough.
- Damage from debris: The pinion bearing can also be damaged by debris that gets into the drivetrain. This can happen if the car is driven on a road with a lot of potholes or other obstacles.
- Corrosion: Pinion bearings can corrode over time, especially if they’re exposed to salt or water. This can damage the bearing and cause noise or vibration.
- Overheating: The pinion bearing can also be damaged by overheating. This can happen if the car is driven in hot conditions or if the cooling system isn’t working properly.
- Excessive loads: The pinion bearing is designed to support the weight of the drivetrain. If the drivetrain is overloaded, it can damage the bearing. This is more likely to happen if the car is used for towing or hauling heavy loads.
Pinion bearing damage is usually caused by normal wear and tear, but it can be accelerated by factors like lack of lubrication or driving in harsh conditions.
If you think your pinion bearing may be starting to fail, it’s important to have it checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.
How to Prevent Pinion Bearing Damage
There are several things you can do to help prevent pinion-bearing damage.
- Lubricate the bearings: One of the most important things you can do is to lubricate the pinion bearings regularly. This will help ensure that the bearings are avoiding tears and they can drive for a long time.
- Avoid driving in harsh conditions: If you can, try to avoid driving in conditions that are hard on the bearings. This includes off-road driving, stop-and-go traffic, and driving on roads with a lot of potholes or other obstacles.
- Inspect the drivetrain regularly: It’s also a good idea to have the drivetrain inspected regularly by a mechanic. This will help identify any problems early so they can be fixed before they cause damage to the bearings.
How to Fix Pinion Bearing Problems?
If the pinion bearings are starting to fail, there are a few different ways they can be fixed.
- Repair: In some cases, the bearings can be repaired rather than replaced. This is usually only an option if the damage is minor and the bearings haven’t been damaged too badly.
- Replacement: If the bearings are significantly damaged, they will need to be replaced. This is a more involved repair and it will usually require the help of a mechanic.
- Drivetrain replacement: In extreme cases, the entire drivetrain may need to be replaced. This is usually only necessary if the bearings have caused extensive damage to other parts of the drivetrain.
The best way to fix pinion-bearing problems depends on the extent of the damage. In some cases, the bearings can be repaired, while in other cases they will need to be replaced. If the bearings have caused extensive damage to the drivetrain, it may be necessary to replace the entire drivetrain.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Pinion Bearings?
The cost of replacing pinion bearings varies depending on the make and model of the car. In most cases, it will cost between $200 and $500 to replace both bearings. However, if the damage is severe or if the entire drivetrain needs to be replaced, the cost can be much higher.
Pinion bearing replacement is a relatively inexpensive repair, but it can become very costly if the damage is severe or if other parts of the drivetrain are damaged.
If you think your pinion bearings may be starting to fail, it’s important to have them checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.
What Tools Do I Need to Replace a Pinion Bearing?
The tools you need to replace a pinion bearing depend on the make and model of your car. In most cases, you will need a socket set, chisel, lifters, a ratchet, a cutoff tool, and a torque wrench.
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Replacing a pinion bearing is a relatively simple repair that can be done with basic hand tools. However, in some cases, specialty tools may be required. If you are unsure about what tools you need, it’s best to consult a mechanic before starting the repair.
How to Replace Pinion Bearings?
The first step is to remove the old bearings. This can be done by removing the driveshaft or axle shaft from the car. Once the shaft is removed, the bearings can be pressed out of the housing. You can do it in 3 easy steps:
- Step 1:As it may be, raise the vehicle with a four-post or two-post lifter, as needed. Remove the rear axles and wheels. Remove the propeller and flange from your vehicle.
- Step 2:Remove the pinion-bearing cage by cutting with a cutoff tool. Then take out the cage and bearings. After that, cut a channel in the inner race, which is pressed on the carrier, without damaging the carrier; this allows for smoother operation.
- Step 3:Place a chisel in the channel you’ve excavated with the cut. Then strike it with a large hammer to break the inner race. The inner race will either loosen and fall off or shatter immediately, depending on how hard you strike the chisel. However, you should exercise caution while doing so.
Next, the new bearings need to be installed in the housing. The easiest way to do this is to use a bearing press. Once the new bearings are in place, the drive shaft or axle shaft can be reinstalled.
Finally, the pinion nut needs to be tightened to the proper torque specification. This will vary depending on the make and model of your car. Once the nut is tightened, you can test-drive your car to see if the noise has been fixed.
Replacing pinion bearings is a relatively simple repair that can be done with basic hand tools. In most cases, it will only take a few hours to complete. However, if you are unsure about how to do the repair, it’s best to consult a mechanic.
FAQs
How Long Does a Pinion Bearing Last?
Pinion bearings are designed to last the lifetime of the car. However, they can fail prematurely if they are not properly lubricated or if they are subjected to extreme conditions. If you take good care of your car and maintain it regularly, your pinion bearings should last for many years.
Bad pinion-bearing noise is a common problem in cars that have high mileage.
How to Properly Lubricate a Pinion Bearing?
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Pinion bearings should be lubricated every time the car is serviced. The best way to do this is to add a small amount of grease to the bearing while the car is on a lift. Once the grease has been added, the wheel should be turned slowly to work the grease into the bearing.
It’s also important to check the pinion-bearing preload regularly. This can be done by removing the driveshaft or axle shaft and checking for play in the bearings. If there is excessive play, it’s an indication that the bearings need to be replaced.
What Does a Bad Rear Axle Bearing Sound Like?
Bad rear axle bearings can cause a variety of noise problems. The most common symptom is a humming or grinding noise that gets louder as the car speeds up. This noise is caused by the bearings starting to fail.
If you hear this type of noise, it’s important to have your car checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible. In some cases, the bearings can be repaired or replaced. However, in other cases, the damage may be too severe and the entire axle assembly will need to be replaced.
How Do You Fix a Loose Pinion Bearing Preload?
Remove the shims if you are having problems with loose pinion bearing preload. Then, to tighten the bearing against the races and increase pinion bearing preload, simply remove the shims.
Can You Drive Without a Pinion Bearing?
No, you cannot drive without a pinion bearing. The pinion bearing is responsible for supporting the weight of the driveshaft or axle shaft. Without it, the driveshaft or axle shaft would collapse and cause damage to the car.
Conclusion
Pinion bearings are an important part of the car’s drivetrain, so it’s important to replace them if they start to fail. The exact process of replacing a pinion bearing will vary depending on the make and model of your car, but it’s generally a challenging task that’s best left to a mechanic.
Pinion bearing damage is usually caused by normal wear and tear, but it can be accelerated by factors like lack of lubrication or driving in harsh conditions. If you’re hearing noise coming from the drivetrain or experiencing vibrations and steering problems, it’s important to address the issue before it becomes more serious.
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