Wheel Hub bearing kaput - Vendors requested

I replaced both of the front bearings in my Blazer last summer. One was done by a dealership and another by a car repair place. Both hubs were from Autozone and carry a 1-year warranty. Well I am still under the warranty for the first one replaced. (Both were done for the same price as I jew'd down the dealership installation charges.)

The one that is shot was the first one that was replaced by the local auto repair. While the other one is still running strong. Can you install these things improperly where they have accelerated wear? Or is it just shitty craftsmanship?

If I am going to have ever persistant problems with these bearings, I am gonna buy a quality one that lasts longer. I have figured out that some Autozone parts are just crap where others are excellent. Is there any vendors out there that carry them?

I would check your alignment.

Other than that, I think I would avoid autzone parts from now on.

I would check your alignment.

Other than that, I think I would avoid autzone parts from now on.

An alignment confirmed that it was shot. This was done about a month ago.

Believe Autozone uses Timken and Advance/Discount uses BCA and those are the 2 big names so either should be fine. I'd look at the ball joints and other front end parts for wear causing that early hub failure too.

I got my bearing assemblies from NAPA. I avoid Advance Autos and likes for such parts after the starter motor problems that I have had with their rebuilt parts.


The local shops seem to get their parts from NAPA and Walkers. That is most likely a good recommendation.

The only problem I have had is with the NAPA door handles. They would last about 6 months and break. I finally gave up and splurged out for a GM part.


Mark

I'd bet that the shop screwed up. The nut on the half shaft needs to torqued properly or the bearings will fail prematurely.

Having two wheel bearing fail that early would not have me going back for another part from them, at least not that part.

We don't have an autozone where I live, and to be perfectly honest I've never been in any.

However we have a low priced parts chain here, where you can get some cheap junk.
They also carry quality lines on request.
Autozone probably does as well

I'd bet that the shop screwed up. The nut on the half shaft needs to torqued properly or the bearings will fail prematurely.

Very true, and usually this will occur very quickly.

Very true, and usually this will occur very quickly.

I am going to have to see if my g/f's father has a wrench capable of tightening it to spec. I cant think of the name of the item as I am having a brain fart.

Torque wrench

Carquest used bca and they have been very good for me. Just make sure that the bolts and axle nut get the correct torque.

I am trying ro remember but was the axle nut speced at 175 ft lbs

I got a mechanic to tighten one for me and I tightened the other one myself. Interestingly the one that mechanic did had a knock when turning so I tightened it down some more and all is quiet now.

Mark

I replaced both of the front bearings in my Blazer last summer. One was done by a dealership and another by a car repair place. Both hubs were from Autozone and carry a 1-year warranty. Well I am still under the warranty for the first one replaced. (Both were done for the same price as I jew'd down the dealership installation charges.)

The one that is shot was the first one that was replaced by the local auto repair. While the other one is still running strong. Can you install these things improperly where they have accelerated wear? Or is it just shitty craftsmanship?

If I am going to have ever persistant problems with these bearings, I am gonna buy a quality one that lasts longer. I have figured out that some Autozone parts are just crap where others are excellent. Is there any vendors out there that carry them?

If they are installed right they should last as long or longer than the origional bearings. As said in the other post installation is a key factor.
BCA afterarket bearings are good bearings and usually a lot cheaper than dealer OEM bearings.
But one thing to be aware of aftermarket parts have a good line and than the cheaper line. 90 day to one year specials and then there own brand or parts made up to there own specs which they call the house brand or may even be stamped with a major brand.
Also another deal on aftermarket parts a lot of big parts places will have a bunch of parts made up to there own specs but may be stamped and made by a major brand.
They do this to cut the cost of parts but sometimes cut the quality also.
MT

If they are installed right they should last as long or longer than the origional bearings. As said in the other post installation is a key factor.
BCA afterarket bearings are good bearings and usually a lot cheaper than dealer OEM bearings.
But one thing to be aware of aftermarket parts have a good line and than the cheaper line. 90 day to one year specials and then there own brand or parts made up to there own specs which they call the house brand or may even be stamped with a major brand.
Also another deal on aftermarket parts a lot of big parts places will have a bunch of parts made up to there own specs but may be stamped and made by a major brand.
They do this to cut the cost of parts but sometimes cut the quality also.
MT

This is why I asked about other vendors. Because I am not aware if the Timken brand is POS or good.

autozone parts tend to be bottom of the barrel and lower, being that it has a vss in the bearing in 99 we only use ac delco (sepperate supplyer from dealer) bearings, other wise there is a store around here called port city automotive, and we use them for most all other suspension parts, and what we dont get there come from napa, those are the only 2 aftermarket supplyers we use or trust...otherwise its all OE for a reason

For wheel hubs, that is one of the components I would only buy AC Delco.

This is why I asked about other vendors. Because I am not aware if the Timken brand is POS or good.

BCA IS A GOOD BRAND.
I looked the bearing up on auto zone web site and they show timken brand along with several others. But the price on there auto zone timken bearing is about 50.00$ lower which makes me wonder if it is a cheaper grade or in house branded timken.


AUTO zone =
TIMKEN 513124 1 YR $114.99 VALUCRAFT V513124 3 MO $114.99 DYNAPAK 513124 1 YR $149.99

Carquest=
CARQUEST/BCA BEARINGS513124 Front Hub Assembly98-05 $356.22
162.70$ US my cost

CARQUEST/CONI-SEALR513124 Front Hub Assembly98-05$242.79
$123.24 my cost


I have used a lot of and had good luck with the BCA beariings hub assembly.
MT

I am going to have to look for an AC Delco one around here even if I have to pay more.

If they are installed right they should last as long or longer than the origional bearings. As said in the other post installation is a key factor.
BCA afterarket bearings are good bearings and usually a lot cheaper than dealer OEM bearings.

I agree, BCA does make good bearings. I've over 60,000 miles on my BCA hub assembly.

You can usually find cheap AC Delco hubs on eBay. Got mine for the same price my local store was asking for the economy hub.

I ended up having a shop replace my bearing with a Napa brand part. The owner showed me it was a PGB brand and then proceeded to show me the pile of other bearing he has of Advanced and Autozone brand bearing over in the corner that he replaces. Needless to say it was very very large in size.

So I have a pleasant quiet ride once again. Now I can really enjoy my new muffler that had been drowned out from the bad bearing.

I am not going to be present here for a while due to a job that requires me to live out of a hotel for the next 2 months. But needless to say, I will have some fun toys to buy for my Blazer when I return with a boatload of cash. :D

Just posting an update to this thread.

Several years ago I almost lost a wheel because of a bad wheel bearing, so you were smart to replace it with a quality part. I did have to replace that entire hub asemboly that time.

Good luck with your road trip. Don't be suprised if you end up buying a lap top. It's pretty cheap entertainment compaired to going to teh bar every night, and most motels include high speed wireless internet now.

Makes me glad that I put NAPA bearings in my Blazer.

I spent 11 months living in a green cell (hotel) while away on a job and yes I bought a laptop. If you buy a docking station then you can use the laptop as a desktop when you get home amd plug in a big monitor, decent keyboard and mouse. That's what I am typing this on message on. My laptop has become an excellent pc both for home and hotel use.


Mark