Front Hub parts question

[edh1005]

I need to replace my front hub (bearing shot) I've seen prices as high as 300 for OEM and as low as 40 for aftermarket replacement. Ebay has an aftermarket for 40 bucks and free shipping. I would like to know if anyone has tried these after market bearings. Thanks,
Ed

 

[esclamada]

I've tried GMB from Amazon, too early to tell. I just replaced it last summer.

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[Number4]

When it comes to bearings, any bearings, they're strength comes from there metal. Metal is costly, not the grease nor the seals.
So the ONLY way to produce a less expensive bearing is to what? Use less steel and a lower quality.
Steel is what gives the bearing it's structure and strength, think about the fact that the entire weight of the vehicle is supported on these four small points that have to rotate.
A cheap bearing will have a weaker design, will have overall less steel, from structure to the rollers/ball bearings themselves.
I know these bearings and hub designs ( which most cars use today) are expensive, but if you don't go with a premium brand, your just buying a problem.

For the explorers with there under designed chassis for the vehicle weight, I'd only recommend SKF's premium line. (And no, I don't work for SKF, nor hold their stock.)
Two things I'd not go cheap on with this vehicle, would be tires and bearings as they are safety related.

 

[delaware74b]

I just replaced the driver's front bearing with OEM (HUB67) I bought at rockauto. $170 with shipping after 5% coupon (regular $170 plus shipping). It comes with 5 replacement bolts (2-caliper bracket and 3-hub-mounting bolts).

The bearings on this hub were made by Timken. Local stealership will drain your wallet at $285 for the exact same hub kit.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

RockAuto has complete Moog hub assemblies for $110. Buy once, cry once with parts like this.

 

[esclamada]

the OP was asking if somebody has tried the cheap bearings on ebay (or online) not asking for what are the best bearings. Sure the expensive ones are good but there are some cheap products that meets the need if your are doing it yourself and under the budget. as these explorers age they are not worth spending that much money on parts.



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[mavpat41]

I just replaced my driverside hub assembly and after driving 5mins, the wheel bearing went out again. I had just bought it from o reillys for 110$. It was their cheapest brand. Thats 2 replacement hubs in a week. Why do my wheel bearings keep going bad?

 

[esclamada]

it depends on what do you mean by bad? is the noise still there which is still bad or the bearings completely disintegrated?

it all really depends on the installation, use a torque wrench to tighten them. O-reilly's bearing are National or Moog I guess.

 

[mavpat41]

The grinding sound is back. And my tire sits crooked. I havent taken it off yet to really know how the bearing looks. But im almost 100% sure its the bearing again. I didnt use a torque wrench either, just a regular rachet and asocket.

 

[esclamada]

either it's bad bearing for the 2nd time or just bad install.


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[Explorer0204]

http://www.amazon.com/Timken-SP4702...&keywords=2004+ford+explorer+front+hub+timken

This is the EXACT same as the OEM bearing. the OEM ones are Timken yet you don't have to pay inflated dealer prices.

It is a no brainer in my opinion fairly cheap and good as OE (cause it is OE) quality.

 

[Number4]

Your front axle nut requires 185 ft lbs of torque. If you didn't torque to this spec, then I gauruntee you didn't even get close to 185. This is required to seat the unit correctly. If you don't do this, then your bearings will continue to fail. Though 5 mins is a bit extreme. Did you torque the three bearing to knuckle bolts?
I rented the big torque wrench from O'Reilly. Always torque chassis parts to spec.

 

[Number4]

http://www.amazon.com/Timken-SP4702...&keywords=2004+ford+explorer+front+hub+timken

This is the EXACT same as the OEM bearing. the OEM ones are Timken yet you don't have to pay inflated dealer prices.

It is a no brainer in my opinion fairly cheap and good as OE (cause it is OE) quality.

Just because they are OE doesn't mean anything. All OE stands for is "cheapest bidder" for OE sales. Timken isn't the quality it used to be known for. And premium after market parts are generally beefed up to fix the issues of OE parts. Keep in mind the OEs are known to fail early.

Personally, I don't want to do the job anytime soon again. As well, I don't want issues going down the road at 65 MPH with my family in the car.

 

[Explorer0204]

Just because they are OE doesn't mean anything. All OE stands for is "cheapest bidder" for OE sales. Timken isn't the quality it used to be known for. And premium after market parts are generally beefed up to fix the issues of OE parts. Keep in mind the OEs are known to fail early.

Personally, I don't want to do the job anytime soon again. As well, I don't want issues going down the road at 65 MPH with my family in the car.

I know the OE ones are known to fail but still I feel that OE are better than the junkie aftermarket brands made in China.

The only ones worth taking a chance on for more money IMO are the MOOG bearings. They make good quality stuff but even them...I've heard has slipped a little in recent years.

What this issue needs is a REDESIGN. I feel like there is an inherent flaw in the design because it seems like all the brands fail on these from what I have read and witnessed with my own two eyes...I've also replaced 4 of them between 2 Explorers.

 

[Number4]

I know the OE ones are known to fail but still I feel that OE are better than the junkie aftermarket brands made in China.

The only ones worth taking a chance on for more money IMO are the MOOG bearings. They make good quality stuff but even them...I've heard has slipped a little in recent years.

What this issue needs is a REDESIGN. I feel like there is an inherent flaw in the design because it seems like all the brands fail on these from what I have read and witnessed with my own two eyes...I've also replaced 4 of them between 2 Explorers.

The issue is the whole setup if the explorer. To heavy for its support centers. Under designed chassis system.

The premium SKF are supposed to be re engineered. To early to tell on mine, not enough road time yet.
Moog is a mixed line now (meaning it's a blended value/premium line,) at best I'd assume your getting value line stuff. Moog has become like Fram. Everyone knows about them, great advertising, but not always the best product. If you do side by side with other good brands, you'll visibly see the difference if what you got was value line.

 

[Explorer0204]

The issue is the whole setup if the explorer. To heavy for its support centers. Under designed chassis system.

The premium SKF are supposed to be re engineered. To early to tell on mine, not enough road time yet.
Moog is a mixed line now (meaning it's a blended value/premium line,) at best I'd assume your getting value line stuff. Moog has become like Fram. Everyone knows about them, great advertising, but not always the best product. If you do side by side with other good brands, you'll visibly see the difference if what you got was value line.

Thats what I have heard about them too.


What do you mean by too heavy for its support centers? I'd like to understand but not sure what you mean by this.