PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
How long can I drive with pinion bearing noise?
Last week I noticed a strange sound when I was accelerating my car. I took it to a mechanic and he told me it’s a pinion bearing. I trust this mechanic, but she said I don’t need to get it fixed right away. I’m skeptical of that. How long can I drive with pinion bearing noise?
Matt Terzi · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
How long you can drive with a pinion bearing noise is nearly impossible to tell, it might fail after 100 feet or 100,000 miles.
Pinions are found in cars with rack and pinion steering systems, and cars with rear-wheel drive. They’re small gears that help larger gears rotate faster, and pinion bearings make that rotation smoother and more efficient. The bearing will start making loud whirring noises when it wears out, and that’s what you’re hearing.
If the pinion bearing completely fails, the steering wheel might be slightly more difficult to turn, or cause premature tire wear. In some instances it can even cause damage to your transmission, driveshaft, or differential.
Replacing a pinion bearing costs around $200 to $400 on average, and we recommend having it serviced as soon as possible. It’s not necessarily common for a blown pinion bearing to damage other components when it fails, but it’s not something you should throw the dice on either.
You shouldn’t throw the dice on
car insurance
rates, either. Without comparison shopping to find the best rates, you can end up overpaying by hundreds of dollars per year for no good reason. And it’s easy to avoid wasting all that money, too. All you need is the Jerry
app and about 45 seconds of free time!Jerry is
a trusted and licensed broker
that has helped millions of drivers save an average of more than $800 per year, all without needing to chat on the phone with an insurance salesperson for an afternoon. Give Jerry a try today!View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies