Advice on front wheel bearing (hub) brands

[rFoto]

Hi Guys – new to the forum, but long time ST owner. I’ve concluded that the front wheel bearing on the pass side is bad, and I see it is an assembly – no way to change out just the bearing.

Who has experience with the replacements from the Chain auto parts stores?

Advance has two versions:

1) “Driveworks” wheel hub assembly for $ 106
2) “National” front hub $216

They look identical, but twice the price????
Any experience with these brand hubs?

As usual the reviews on the site are all over the place – the cheap one is either good as factory – or ready to explode in two miles….(although more positive than neg reviews….)

I have 139K on this truck and reading the forums, it looks like I’m lucky to have made it this far on the bearings.

 

[Blee1099]

Well the higher cost one probably has a 3-5 year warranty.. If your on a budget you can go with the cheaper one or even get one thru a vendor here.. Contact 1ATony

 

[Clusterpup]

I've found that the cheap ones from the local parts stores are crap, they never last me more then a year but I have larger tires with different offset wheels, so I'm hard on them. Timken seems to be highly recommened on this forum and the last time I changed one, I used a Timken that I bought on Amazon for for about $120 shipped. I've been told that Timken makes the Ford OEM hubs also. I've only had the Timken in for a few months so I don't know yet how long it will last. Also the Timken says made in the USA on the box so thats a plus.

 

[Clusterpup]

Advance has two versions:

1) “Driveworks” wheel hub assembly for $ 106
2) “National” front hub $216

Driveworks - China
National - USA

Welcome to the forum BTW.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I've had the Timkens on for about three and half years and don't have any issues, my Trac is also lifted and I beat the hell out of it (towing, offroading, etc...).

 

[rFoto]

thanks

Thanks guys - I'm not going to go cheap - you talked me into the good stuff.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Check out rockauto.com and use the site discount in the vendors section, you're not gonna beat their prices. Even for the good parts.