Wheel Hub buying guide — what to know before you buy
The wheel hub is the mounting point for the wheel, brake disc, and wheel bearing. On many modern vehicles the hub, bearing, and ABS sensor ring are integrated into a single unit. A damaged hub causes wheel vibration, ABS faults, and uneven brake disc wear. At CarParts247 we stock wheel hubs from SKF, FAG, and NTN.
Wheel hub failure symptoms
Hub problems often overlap with wheel bearing symptoms because the two are integrated on many vehicles. Hub flange damage or corrosion can also prevent the brake disc from sitting flat.
- Vibration at speed despite balanced wheels — warped or corroded hub flange
- ABS warning light — damaged reluctor ring on the hub assembly
- Brake disc runout causing judder under braking — corroded hub face
- Wheel studs or bolts loosening repeatedly — damaged hub threads
- Humming or growling noise increasing with speed — integrated bearing failure
Hub replacement considerations
On integrated hub-bearing assemblies, the entire unit is replaced together. On vehicles with separate hubs and bearings, the hub can sometimes be replaced independently.
- Clean the hub-to-disc mating surface thoroughly before fitting a new disc — corrosion here causes disc runout
- Check and replace the hub nut — many are single-use torque-to-yield type
- Integrated hub units include the ABS reluctor ring — ensure correct ABS signal after fitting
- Press-fit hubs require a hydraulic press — do not attempt with a hammer
- A wheel alignment may be needed after hub replacement on some suspension designs