Which rear bearings to buy??

[edwx]

Looking at Rockauto choices. They have a CENTRIC or a PRO part version for about $20 each. Then they jump up to a SKF or TIMKEN for about $50 each. That's a big difference in price. Are the CENTRIC or PRO part any good? My gut is telling me TIMKEN, but then again, I don't plan on having my vehicle forever. At 115K now and hope to get 3 more years out of it. 200K would be a victory. Any suggestions on what to buy for rear bearings would be appreciated.

 

[Explorer_PL]

I had a shop installed an aftermarket rear bearing and it lasted maybe 20k miles. I replaced it with Timken and it's been good for the past 90k miles, so go figure
The bearing even at $ 50 it's still cheap. The labor is a bear on the rears.

 

[scdix50]

CENTRIC or PRO are most likely China and are ball bearing. SKF or TIMKEN/F.A.G. should be roller bearing. Ball bearings do not hold up very well on Explorers at front or rear wheels. I am running TIMKEN/F.A.G. on front and rear of my 04 EB.

 

[edwx]

Yeah, with the amount of labor required, I'd be crazy to use cheap parts. Glad I'm thinking clearly again. Thanks. Ed

 

[Richieg]

i am going through the same thing right now..... the way i look at it when something fails with of my cars, most of the time i put high performance parts on. the transmission failed on my 03 so i put in a Monster trans with cooler... now my rear barrings are making some noise, so i am going to do the same...... hands down the rear barring i am going to use will be SKF. if they are good for the ZR1 and F1

You want to know if a part is good? Go look at Formula 1 part involvement.....

 

[edwx]

SKF are good, you won't go wrong with those. Both my rear wheels were wobbling a bit, so I replaced my bearings. Ride is quieter now also. They were probably noisy but I didn't notice it that much probably because the noise came on gradually.