What should the wheel bearing seals be checked for anyway?

If you're wondering what should the wheel bearing seals be checked for during your next weekend garage session, you're basically looking for any sign that the "shield" protecting your wheel assembly is starting to fail. These little rubber or metal-reinforced rings don't look like much, but they're the only thing standing between your expensive bearings and a world of road salt, rain, and grit. When they fail, it's only a matter of time before you're dealing with a much bigger, much more expensive headache. ...

February 22, 2026 · 6 min · Dilshad Beatriz