2 wheel bearings in one year?

[Shanerouleau]

I have replaced my front wheel bearing 2 times in the last year? Any idea what the reason is?

 

[Hartman]

2WD or 4WD? If 2WD, I'd say improper installation.

 

[BradR]

I've replaced mine 3 times, 2 on the pass, 1 one the driver.
I wheel it though and then drive like 2,000 highway miles, pretty good too. lol.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

What brand? Cheap e-bay junk is just that. Cheap junk.

 

[Joe Dirt]

That's what I was going to ask- brand... The less expensive bearings at the parts stores are no better...

EDIT- for the cost of the $100 cheapo bearings at AutoZone, etc- Rock Auto is selling Timken bearing hub assemblies for $115. Not even a discussion at that price.

 

[Shanerouleau]

Its 4wheel and I dunno what brand the cheap one at napa which is 180. Its only been about 7000 miles or so then they seem to go. Could it be alinment?

 

[1Aauto]

our wheel bearings have a 2 year warranty on them. I'm out of stock on them right now but here's a link to them if you would like to check on pricing.

Explorer Wheel Bearing and Hub

 

[kert0307]

What did you torque the nut to?

 

[Shanerouleau]

Thanks for the link. I don't know what they torqued the nut too. I've had garages do it. Nevermind the price of the bearings the labour is getting crazy too.

 

[IZwack]

Wheel offset (scrub radius) and tire diameter also influences service life.

 

[Joe Dirt]

btw- if you have basic hand tools and a jack, you can change them in 30-45 minutes... They're not difficult at all... Save that shop money!

As an aside, I know from experience of myself and people around here I know that have swapped with normal stock Ex's, the Timken bearings are the best, followed by BCA. The Autozone Chinese ones, Advance Chinese ones, eBay 2-for-$70 specials and NAPA's WB's have the worst track records, at least in my experience, and that's of about 10-11 replacements I know of locally...

 

[Dan Whitaker]

btw- if you have basic hand tools and a jack, you can change them in 30-45 minutes... They're not difficult at all... Save that shop money!

As an aside, I know from experience of myself and people around here I know that have swapped with normal stock Ex's, the Timken bearings are the best, followed by BCA. The Autozone Chinese ones, Advance Chinese ones, eBay 2-for-$70 specials and NAPA's WB's have the worst track records, at least in my experience, and that's of about 10-11 replacements I know of locally...

Don't forget a torque wrench that goes to 200 ft lb minimum. The torque spec on the spindle nut is around 170-175 ft lb (I don't remember the exact spec).

 

[Joe Dirt]

Bah- breaker bar with me standing on it goes well into the 200's...

 

[gavin]

Don't forget a torque wrench that goes to 200 ft lb minimum. The torque spec on the spindle nut is around 170-175 ft lb (I don't remember the exact spec).

150 - 200 'ish.

the range is rather large for the torque spec.

I usually do ~180lb/ft

 

[Shanerouleau]

Suppose ill just buy another bearing and get it it it done by another shop. Ill just buy the more expensive one.

 

[Joe Dirt]

There is a great writeup here- it really is easy to do... Why not get the Timken from Rock Auto and try putting it on yourself? (If you have some tools- not sure if you're interested in wrenching...)

 

[Shanerouleau]

Oh I would do it myself but I have basic sockets only and a gravel driveway. Its getting chilly up here in canada to be out crawling under a car.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I hear ya... Hate wrenching in the cold- makes the knuckles hurt twice as bad when you hit them...