I've got a front wheel drive car. Factory mechanic says inner and
outer wheel bearings on all 4 wheels need replacing. Estimated parts
and labor is $900.00. Will the wheels fall off the car or the bearings
seize and the wheels won't turn if I don't have the bearings replaced
soon? The bearings are making a lot of noise.

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Request for Question Clarification by revbrenda1st-ga on 05 Jan 2003 11:31 PST

Hi wham...,

My mechanic husband would like some help from you before he gives you
an official answer. He says in his decades of fixing vehicles, he's
NEVER encountered a case where the bearings of all four wheels need
replacing at the same time. He thinks either the mechanic doesn't know
which bearing(s) is really shot, or he's working on commission for
parts, or the problem has been escalating over a long period of time
without being attended to. Is your vehicle still under warranty? If,
so the bearings should be covered under the power and drive train. He
suggests you get another mechanic to check it out -- he's very adamant
that not all the bearings can go at the same time. Also, what make of
car do you have?

Hi again wham...,

I waited for an answer for a clarification to your question for
several hours -- not because what I needed to know would make a
difference, but because I was trying to save you the 900 bux charge
you mentioned as a repair quote. The question is: "Will the wheels
fall off the car or the bearings
seize and the wheels won't turn if I don't have the bearings replaced
soon?"

The answer is yes, it's possible you could lose a wheel. Depending on
how bad the bearing(s) is, a wheel could snap off where it contacts
with the bearing. This is because if the bearing is worn out it will
eventually seize up and the axle or hub, due to excess heat or
friction, could break off.

This isn't something to fool with; it requires immediate attention,
but please do get a second or third opinion. And please, use the
clarification of answer button before you rate this answer. We'd like
to assist you further, if we can. In the case of automotive questions,
I'd bank my life on my husband's opinions. If he says you're being
taken for a ride, you can believe it.

Waiting for your response,
revbrenda1st

Was in the process of typing a clarification of question to post, when
your answer appeared. Google said the option of clarification of
question was no longer available after the question had been answered.
Go figure. Thanks anyway.
Mazda 1988, 323, 288,000 miles. Trying to decide whether to fix or buy
another car.

Okay, wham ... 

I'm fairly new at this, and apparently (since you've made a rating,
for which I thank you immensely) we are reduced to comments. Tell me
what you can during the day. When the man comes home in the evening,
we'll try to help. Despite the fact that the answer is 'officially'
closed, we really still want to help you.

Don't feel bad about your Mazda -- I have a Ford Bronco (same year)
with nearly the same mileage. We love what we love, eh?    :)

Regards,
revbrenda1st