I need recommendations on wheel bearings

[DeathMetalMax]

Hey everyone I'm new on the forums and I was just wondering where I could find a complete wheel bearing replacement kit here on the internet for my 93 ford explorer. Any links you could find would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Jason94sport]

Rockauto.com

Google for 5% off coupons

 

[IAmTodd]

Stick with Timkens. You didn't say if you were 4x4 or not but if you are 4x4 you need 4 SET37 bearings. They're only $9 a piece so very manageable.

 

[bats]

Wouldn't do anything other than Timken. The cheaper brands tend to wear out prematurely and cause problems.

 

[Jason94sport]

Can anyone prove that? Because I've had several different brands & saw no difference.
In my experience as long as they are installed right & greased properly.

 

[Maniak]

There have been a few thread on here where people got the cheap house brand bearings instead of the set-37 from Timken and had them go out pretty quick.

Now I can't say if any of the other good names (SKF maybe?) would be good but just don't buy the cheapest brand you can find... Especially since the Explorer is hard on bearings, especially if you have an oversized tire.

I 2nd (or is it 3rd) using RockAuto to get the set37 bearing. Amazon does have it too but its > $15 on amazon while its $9 on Rockauto before the 5% discount.

~Mark

 

[XplorerRayskee]

My first one to go out was my left rear. Had a reputable repair shop do the work and it cost me about $600. It went out about a year and 12 days later.

They used the OEM Motorcraft bearings.

Heard about Timken from an old timer about 3 years ago!!!!! Replaced all four on mine. Got them from ################## for Roughly $135 each. Took them to a repair shop and had them put on for about $35 per.

Knock on wood but I feel like I'll never have to worry about them again!

 

[Maniak]

My first one to go out was my left rear. Had a reputable repair shop do the work and it cost me about $600. It went out about a year and 12 days later.

They used the OEM Motorcraft bearings.

Heard about Timken from an old timer about 3 years ago!!!!! Replaced all four on mine. Got them from ################## for Roughly $135 each. Took them to a repair shop and had them put on for about $35 per.

Knock on wood but I feel like I'll never have to worry about them again!

Rear wheel bearings for $135 each and $35 to install? I think you have the prices backwards.

I just replace one on our 1st gen and it was < $20 for the timken bearing and I did the labor myself BUT to change rear wheel bearing you pull the axle shaft so its more labor (not hard, just more labor, and a bit messy).

~Mark

 

[IAmTodd]

Rear wheel bearings for $135 each and $35 to install? I think you have the prices backwards.

I just replace one on our 1st gen and it was < $20 for the timken bearing and I did the labor myself BUT to change rear wheel bearing you pull the axle shaft so its more labor (not hard, just more labor, and a bit messy).

~Mark

He has an '02 with the sealed hub and bearing.

Someone must have left the Gen 3 gate open again and one got loose.

 

[Maniak]

He has an '02 with the sealed hub and bearing.

Someone must have left the Gen 3 gate open again and one got loose.

Doeth.. I didn't even think of checking what type of X it was.. I just assumed it was a solid 8.8 rear axle.. I keep forgetting there is/was life after the solid rear..

~Mark

 

[IAmTodd]

Coming from the era, life with the solid/ttb is so much simpler yet so much more complicated.

 

[Tbars4]

Can anyone prove that? Because I've had several different brands & saw no difference.
In my experience as long as they are installed right & greased properly.

...I've tried several variations on both my 4wd's and had early failures with most all brands tried other than Timkens (#1 in order of best) and Nationals (#2) just me rating them..:

..Of course it's not all official but I noted the issues and as Maniak mentioned, several others have posted of their ill fated early failures with other wheel bearings and how their issues were resolved with Timkens...

..But $9 for set37 Timkens?...They are currently $16.99 at my local AZ...

...When doing these bearings be sure to replace all the seals and verify (4x4) that your hub O-ring is in working order...Even Timkens start pitting early if water is allowed to get to them...

 

[Roadrunner777]

Timken. Do it, pay a few extra bucks, buy US made, and get the best part available. Or buy chinese crap and worry about it. Your choice.

 

[DeathMetalMax]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'm going to be american about this and get those timken 37's from rockauto. Thanks for the help.

 

[DeathMetalMax]

One more thing, after checking rockauto and autozone I noticed that rock auto has the timken front outer bearing and race and autozone has the front inner bearing and race. I would need both inner and outer parts do I just have to buy them seperately? Or does rock auto have all the needed parts in their timken set 37?

 

[IAmTodd]

4x4 uses the same inner and outer. SET37 will work for both.

 

[Jason94sport]

Is 2wd different? I don't see them for that application.

 

[Anime]

Now I can't say if any of the other good names (SKF maybe?) would be good but just don't buy the cheapest brand you can find... Especially since the Explorer is hard on bearings, especially if you have an oversized tire.

My SKFs from NAPA have worked great. Recently took the hubs apart too, and with 50,000 miles on them, with no maintenance since they were installed, they have no visible wear and look new. Used Castrol High Temp Wheel Bearing Grease. Timken, SKF, National, all seem to be the same stuff these days, just in different boxes. Same with their seals.

Timken. Do it, pay a few extra bucks, buy US made, and get the best part available. Or buy chinese crap and worry about it. Your choice.

The old Timkens might have been US made, but not all new ones are. Sucks.

 

[Bruces expo]

I Will only Use Timken From now On , I bought the Auto Zone brand And there Chinese Junk , They Wore Out Prematurely And Fell Apart Upon Removal , Timken From now on Only For me !

 

[Anime]

I Will only Use Timken From now On , I bought the Auto Zone brand And there Chinese Junk , They Wore Out Prematurely And Fell Apart Upon Removal , Timken From now on Only For me !

AutoZone does sell Timkens as well, though.