Front hub bearing comparison

[nrschaaf]

Merry Christmas all!! I've got to replace the D/S front hub bearing in my 97 AWD and was looking for some feedback before I purchase the replacement. I almost always go through the dealer for parts for my truck, but I looked online for some prices and couldn't believe the difference. The dealer wants almost $400 while online they are between $50-75. How could there be such a drastic price difference? Or is it possible the dealer is pricing me the wrong part?

 

[MtrJunkie]

I replaced the hub bearing assembly on both sides of my X with $50 parts from Amazon, and they are still going strong 1000's of miles later. I know some quality differs, but the ones the "stealership" has are not made of unobtanium. They really are just marked up that high. I figure if I have to replace my hubs once a year for the next 9 years I would only then have paid the ridiculous price that they ask for only one. It's a scam, and it's pretty much the same part.

 

[MtrJunkie]

Oh and merry Christmas.

 

[deadernie]

When I bought new hubs for my Ex several years ago I bought Timken from Rock Auto because of feedback I read on here and they were USA made. Last year I bought new front hubs for my wife's 300C and also bought Timken under the assumption they too would be USA made. That was not the case. Whether or not the quality has significantly suffered remains to be seen.

It's getting harder and harder to by USA made anything

 

[bluestream1]

How long do you plan to keep the truck?

I have Chinese eBay hubs on right now for 2 + years with no problems (yet)

 

[SoNic67]

I have Detroit Axle hubs on front from December 2013 for $72 a pair (from their eBay store). And my labor (to install them) was free to me
Not made in USA, but at least they seem to be better made... 25k miles on them by now.

I liked them so much I put a pair on my Sonata too...

 

[imp]

Anymore, it's possible even good-name bearings are not U.S.A. made, maybe even Timken. I gambled on Chinese-made for $52.50 each, which even included the entire new hub, lug bolts, and ABS sensor! Been in there now for about 40K miles, no problems yet. imp

 

[exprunner11]

I say timken's are one of the best brands out there and are about $100 a piece on rock auto but i just ordered Detroit Axle hubs off amazon for $47 a piece and seem real good quality with just a few scratches and I will be installing them tomorrow

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Ford OEM will always be more expensive, and it's not really the parts department, Ford sets the price, and they cannot sell it lower... I replaced my originals at 175k with Timken ones, and I have had no problems what soever. I would highly suggest Timken as far as replacements go for bearings, and hubs.

 

[SoNic67]

I say timken's are one of the best brands out there and are about $100 a piece on rock auto but i just ordered Detroit Axle hubs off amazon for $47 a piece and seem real good quality with just a few scratches and I will be installing them tomorrow

Good luck with them!
I was first tempted to get Timken too, but then I thought that my truck might not last another 150K miles, so what's the point? So I ended up with Detroit Axle ones.
Probably will not last another 100-150K, but for 1/2 the price of Timken and 1/4 of OE... I am OK with that.

 

[koda2000]

There's no way I'd buy parts from the "stealership". Even when there's no choice but to buy Motorcraft parts they can be found for much less on-line. Based on your budget and part life need/expectation, buy what you can afford. For my personal truck, I buy the best aftermarket parts I can find (e.g. Moog, Timken) but for my daughter's AWD I'd give her a choice between service grade and better and let her decide. $400 for hub assemblies is highway robbery!

 

[nrschaaf]

Great info guys, I really appreciate it. I've had mixed experience with dealer price vs aftermarket. This was by far the most extreme difference though.

 

[DjDom]

I've had a hub last 3 years, another one lasted just over a year.
The 3 year one was a Certified, (Service grade, house brand of part store here), the 1 year was some really crappy one that was supposed to be 'premium.' Both were made in China.

Right now I have 2 Mevotech hubs.
So far so good. They feel great, but we'll see how long they last.

 

[bill06447]

I believe the oem is made by SKF

Bill

 

[bluestream1]

I've had a hub last 3 years, another one lasted just over a year.
The 3 year one was a Certified, (Service grade, house brand of part store here), the 1 year was some really crappy one that was supposed to be 'premium.' Both were made in China.

Right now I have 2 Mevotech hubs.
So far so good. They feel great, but we'll see how long they last.

Where are the Mevotech hubs made?

 

[DjDom]

Where are the Mevotech hubs made?

Mevotech is made in China. As with almost everything now. Their offices and design facilities however are in Toronto, Canada.

So far one has lasted about 6 months. No issues. Still as smooth as day 1.

 

[drdoom]

I have Callahan (also Chinese) on both of my vehicles, the fit and install are fine, but I don't have enough miles on them to comment further.