Used hub and bearing assembly?

[oplitic]

So my passenger bearing is going in my mounty. I was hearing a grinding noise and when I looked at it the rubber from it was sticking out from around the axle, and now it always makes a grinding noise and when I turn left it kinda hops or wobbles or whatever. I found a used hub and bearing assembly for $50 instead of $130 brand new. My friend advised me not to use a used bearing, any thoughts?

I'm pretty sure mine only went because I was lowered so far (full drop without any cutting/welding/modifying control arms etc., the 3" drop blocks tt and key flip) for so long and now that I'm at a more normal height I think I will be fine. So like I said before, an thoughts?

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I wouldn't go used either. You have no way at looking at the shape of the rollers and races.

 

[oplitic]

Damn, sounded like such a good idea. lol. Nice and cheap. Instead of risking it I'll probably just buy a new one when I can. What can happen without changing it? I want to anyway, but won't have the money till next week or so. My tires are already bad in the front so that doesn't matter too much to me. Can the tire actually fall off? That's what my friend (with little knowledge though) said. But I don't really see that happening, just it being a rough ride. No idea really.

 

[oplitic]

Well, I ended up looking at finances and buying the used one for now. I installed it in about an hour. Not bad at all. Just was hard to get the rotor and hub itself off after taking the bolts out. Did the usual rust thing, lol. Other than that it was fine. Even if it lasts me a little while I'll be fine with it. It felt awesome when I got it and rides fine in so far. I found a new one online for $80 so if need be I'll just get that one, wish I had found it before probably could have gotten that one next week. But wouldn't really want to wait that long anyway. We'll see.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I think those $80 assemblies were selling on eBay a while back and people were having them go bad after a few weeks if I remember correctly. Don't buy them- spend the extra money or you'll be spending more than just getting the good one now.

 

[Cobraguy]

A factory used assy will probably give you better service than those new $80 offshore POS out there. Look at Timken, Ford, Chicago Rawhide (SKF), etc for your higher quality bearings.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

A factory used assy will probably give you better service than those new $80 offshore POS out there. Look at Timken, Ford, Chicago Rawhide (SKF), etc for your higher quality bearings.

I can speak from experience. The $80 hubs are garbage. Ford OEM are Timken.

 

[oplitic]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll be putting a new one in as soon as i can. But for now I needed something so like I said, I just ended up getting the used one. They gave me the whole spindle or whatever it is, the piece that the hub goes on and connects the control arms. Also another abs sensor. So a few extra parts with it.

BTW, this is the site that I found with them for like $76. Someone else on here got them from here can't remember the thread I got it from.

http://www.am-autoparts.com/AM/Front-Wheel-Hubs/Mercury/Mountaineer/1998/