BEARING TYPE REFERENCE / APRIL 2026
This is the most important question to answer before getting a quote or attempting a DIY repair. Every competitor treats wheel bearings as one thing. They are not. The repair cost, DIY feasibility, and labor hours all swing dramatically on which type your vehicle uses. Most modern cars use a sealed hub assembly; most older vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, and trailers use serviceable tapered bearings.
A single integrated unit containing the bearing races, rolling elements, grease, seal, wheel flange, wheel studs, and ABS tone ring. The entire unit is replaced as one part when it fails. It cannot be serviced, repacked, or partially rebuilt - only replaced.
Common vehicles:
Honda Civic, Accord, CR-V; Toyota Camry, Corolla, RAV4; Ford F-150 (1997+), Escape, Explorer; Chevy Silverado (1999+); Nissan Altima, Sentra; BMW 3-Series, X5; Subaru Outback; Ram 1500; Tesla Model 3
A pair of tapered roller bearings (inner and outer) with separate races (cups), cones, cages, and grease seals. The components are individually replaceable. Tapered bearings can be repacked with fresh grease to extend their life - making them serviceable rather than replace-on-fail.
Common vehicles:
Pre-1995 RWD cars; Ford F-250/350, F-450; Chevy Silverado 2500/3500 HD; GM full-size RWD trucks; boat/utility trailers; some vintage FWD rear axles
| Feature | Hub Assembly | Tapered Bearing |
|---|---|---|
| Part cost | $60-$380 | $30-$150 (set) |
| Labor (typical) | 1.3-2.5 AllData hr | 1.0-2.5 AllData hr |
| Total per corner | $350-$800 | $130-$400 |
| ABS integration | Yes - tone ring built in | Usually no - separate sensor |
| DIY accessibility | Moderate - bolt-on, impact gun | Easy (axle-out) to Hard (press-in) |
| Serviceable? | No - replace only | Yes - repack every 30-50k miles |
| Typical failure mode | Sealed grease fails, race wears | Grease contamination, race spalling |
| Era | Mostly 1995+ (FWD 2000+) | Pre-1995 and heavy-duty |
If your vehicle is a passenger car or crossover from 2000 or newer, it almost certainly uses sealed hub assemblies. If it is a heavy-duty truck (F-250+, Silverado 2500+, Ram 2500+) or a vehicle from before 1995, it may use tapered bearings - especially on the front axle or non-driven rear axle.
After removing the wheel, look at the hub area. A hub assembly will have a smooth flange with wheel studs pressed in and typically four bolt holes that mount to the steering knuckle. A tapered bearing will have a greasy dust cap (a pressed-in metal cap covering the castle nut and cotter pin).
Search your vehicle year, make, model at RockAuto and navigate to Steering and Suspension > Wheel Bearing. If the results show a single hub assembly unit with flange, it is a hub assembly. If it shows separate inner bearing, outer bearing, and grease seal as individual parts, it is a tapered serviceable bearing.
Important: You Cannot Repack a Sealed Hub Assembly
Many forum posts and YouTube videos suggest injecting grease into a sealed hub assembly to extend its life. This does not work. The seal is integrated and cannot be safely opened. Attempting to inject grease through the seal destroys it and contaminate the bearing. If you have a hub assembly (most modern cars), the only maintenance action is replacement when it fails. See the preventive maintenance page for what you can and cannot do.