front wheel bearings, where to get them

[smurfxlt]

ok so i have a 99 xlt 5.0, and i need to do my front wheel bearings ASAP. my question is where can i get them? i checked rockauto.com but could only find the rear ones, so i googled a little bit and found these. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...5fff5ba4b&rvr_id=&ua=WXF?&itemid=270517474781 can i use them? if not id appreciate it if somebody could point me in the right direction

 

[konaboy]

Found them on rock auto no problem

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php under axle bearing and hub assembly.

 

[SmoothJimmy]

the part number listed on the ebay ad is SP450200, which indicates that they are Timken, the best option. HOWEVER, I recently purchased two new SP450200 hub assemblies for my '96 from the local parts place and one of them had a runout of .060 (spec max is .003). I returned/exchanged the hub.

Lesson1 : it may have been much more difficult and time consuming if I had bought them over the internet and had the same problem.

Lesson2: my local Autozone was more than happy to match the best price I could find over the internet (+shipping, and I had to bring a printout of the ad) to sell me the parts, since they cost them about $30.

Lesson3: while Timken has a reputation of making the best parts, even they make mistakes and there may be more of these bad eggs out there.

 

[YountExplr]

so what was the final price on the timkens from autozone?

 

[smurfxlt]

konaboy, thanks for the link but it only brings me to the main page. could you tell me how you got to the part?

and smartjimmy, your saying i CAN use them correct?

 

[SmoothJimmy]

I believe they used the SP450200 from 95-02 on AWD and 4WD. I found my best price on Amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/Timken-SP4502..._1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1265828940&sr=8-1

(one line, you may have to edit)

You're sure you have the 5.0 and 4WD.....right? And also sure it's the wheel bearings?

I ended up paying $120 each at Autozone and they listed there for $189. I'd call ahead and make sure they both have them and are willing to price match.

P.S. Never claimed to be smart...just smooth

 

[Glen4X4]

A forum vendor here 1Atony his company had a good deal on a set of 2

 

[smurfxlt]

thanks for the help SMOOTHjimmy (my bad). where did i say i have 4 wheel drive? i have awd just like almost every 5.0 out there. and how much was that guy asking glen?

 

[YountExplr]

why did you pay $120 each when the ebay ad has them for $60 a piece?

 

[Glen4X4]

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/wheel-bearing-hub-front/Ford/Explorer/-/-/1997 There's a link to his site to the wheel bearings its a good deal considering most part stores charge at least $145.00 for one.

EDIT: I have also bought ones from ebay in the past with no problems.

 

[smurfxlt]

looks like a damn good deal! has anybody had any experience with them before?

 

[smurfxlt]

wait a second here, im ordering the ebay ones. theyre cheaper and apparently better!

 

[SmoothJimmy]

My bads....

however, I am suspcious after reading the ad that the real part number is 515003 and that the SP450200 is their attempt to create a reference to the Timken. At that price for 2x hubs, one might think that these are Chi-knees, which have a rep on this site for not lasting as long. But, if they last more than half as long (at half the price) as the American made stuff, you're coming out ahead (minus labor, oc)

In my defense on AWD vs 4WD, I did mention that both were an option in the earlier post and frankly, it doesn't matter in the case of hubs as long as there is power to the fronts.

 

[smurfxlt]

i see i see... now heres the question, how good are the ones from this 1A fellow?

 

[Glen4X4]

Can't offer any insight on that....