Hub Bearing Assembly

[kckienle]

Hello all. I've had some loud noise from the front of my 2000 Blazer (2WD, NOT full size) and was told by my mechanic that is was definitely bad bearings. He quoted me $400 for parts alone! I've done bearings on my own before and the weren't anywhere near this price. Is he trying to take me for a ride, or are bearings really this expensive on these things? Has anyone delt with it before, and maybe know somwhere to get a good price? Thanks in advance!

[BOOMERBOWL]

MY bearing cost 250.00 and 60.00 to install. Bearing is one unit with lugs and sensor for abs brakes. Look at triple A home page for repair shops. Call a few for estimates.

[GMMerlin]

This is a DIY repair if you would like to attempt it...the bearing is a hub assembly..it is a bolt on piece

[houblazerowner]

Originally Posted by GMMerlin

This is a DIY repair if you would like to attempt it...the bearing is a hub assembly..it is a bolt on piece

Maybe a DYI, but the PART cost is still $475 EACH! (I just got that from my local dealer!) Is there an aftermarket maker of these front hub bearings? I need to change mine bad.....probably been bad for 10k+ miles....which explains why my old tires starting balding on one side..
I dont want the new ones to go bad in a year....not after $400 for a new set.
OR who has the cheapest price on the entire assembly (other than a junkyard)???

Thanks!

[RockyZ]

Originally Posted by houblazerowner

Maybe a DYI, but the PART cost is still $475 EACH! (I just got that from my local dealer!) Is there an aftermarket maker of these front hub bearings? I need to change mine bad.....probably been bad for 10k+ miles....which explains why my old tires starting balding on one side..
I dont want the new ones to go bad in a year....not after $400 for a new set.
OR who has the cheapest price on the entire assembly (other than a junkyard)???

Thanks!

These hub assemblies are available at just about any Auto parts store and are now priced about $125.00 and are fine quality. The prices have dropped considerably in the last year.

[houblazerowner]

Originally Posted by RockyZ

These hub assemblies are available at just about any Auto parts store and are now priced about $125.00 and are fine quality. The prices have dropped considerably in the last year.

So what is the part number? Last time I looked at AutoZone or O'Riley Hi Lo, only the assembly for the 4WD model is available....for $220 each.
The 2WD assembly is still marked DIO (Dealer Item Only). The bearings themselves (which are press fitted into the hubs) are NOT available separately except from Chevy, according to all the parts houses I contacted.

So again what is the part number exactly from the parts stores?

Tnx

[RockyZ]

Check autozone's web site, I saw a front wheel hub assembly listed for a very reasonable price. You have to scroll down the page to find the part in related parts. Good luck!!!

[houblazerowner]

Originally Posted by RockyZ

Check autozone's web site, I saw a front wheel hub assembly listed for a very reasonable price. You have to scroll down the page to find the part in related parts. Good luck!!!

I looked and this is what I found:

BEARING/HUB ASSEMBLY - WHEEL FRONT for a
1999 CHEVROLET TRUCK BLAZER 2WD
Normal Stock (Check Mark)
Special Order !
Not Available X

Item Part TIMKEN WITH SENSOR & LEAD
No. SP450300
Warranty Core 0
Availability Store Web
X X <----NOT AVAILABLE!

Then scrolling down saw this and clicked on the name:

TIMKEN WHEEL BEARING - FRONT for a 1999 CHEVROLET TRUCK BLAZER 2WD

and got this:

Unit Price: $61.99
Core Value*: $0.00
Part No.: SK450300
Weight: 0.25 lbs.
Warranty:
Availability: Online: Ships within 2 business days
Store: Special Order

Its weight is 0.25 lbs!!!???
NO, THIS IS THE BEARING NOT THE TOTAL HUB ASSEMBLY
and it still needs to be PRESSFITTED INTO THE HUB....

NOW if I can find the total HUB assembly, I would rather get that..
True, the bearing price of 62 bucks is 400 dollars cheaper than Chevy..
but I don't have the time to get it press fitted..I like the idea of 4 bolts holding the entire HUB on the control arm and viola...DONE!

Anyone else found a TIMKEN replacement somewhere? SOOO many people feel this is a rip off (check CARSURVEY.ORG for BLAZER blazing reviews)...and NO WARRANTY on how long they will last???...what a rip...my old 89 Blazer could easily be repacked and sealed in less than 30 minutes per tire...did it when I turned the rotors or replaced pads....LIKE A ROCK??? YEAH A SINKING ONE!!! Thanks GM, this is one LESS customer for you in the future...
what a crock..

[BOOMERBOWL]

Try Autozone. 99 Blazer About 140.00

[houblazerowner]

Originally Posted by BOOMERBOWL

Try Autozone. 99 Blazer About 140.00

I will!! Do you have an exact part #? Sometimes the folks there are a little.....ahhhh.....slow and don't know what they have!

Tnx

[houblazerowner]

Originally Posted by BOOMERBOWL

Try Autozone. 99 Blazer About 140.00

NOPE!!! Went to the store just down the street.....the guy got the SAME info I posted here from the AutoZone web page!!

The entire HUB assembly is NOT available period!
The BEARING is for $62.00....but special ordered....but I want the complete assembly...I dont have time to get it press fitted, etc right now (well actually I DO now...but it means taking the old hubs off and then taking it all to a place that can do the press and then reinstalling it all...I would rather undo 4 bolts, put the new assembly on, and BE DONE!)

[clariveros]

I am currently having the same problem that you are having, it is really anoying, I drive a GMC Jimmy a 2001 and the noise and the vibration from the bearing has just gotten unbearable, i did do one thing that helped me. I cleaned the bearign hub in Carburator cleaner and then re-greased it, careful it takes time and patience, the noise and the vibration decreased but i am still trying to find the WHOLE hub at a reasonable price

[mjohn]

has anyone tried...gmpartsdirect.com or rockauto.com for these parts?

[houblazerowner]

Originally Posted by mjohn

has anyone tried...gmpartsdirect.com or rockauto.com for these parts?

Never heard of them BUT did check as soon as I read your reply.
*******************WOW!!!*********************** GMDirect has the front hub assembly for HALF price!!! ($263)......Now WHY does GMDirect have it for that low??? I KNEW Chevy was screwing us but didnt think it was that bad!!!

BTW THAT IS TIMKEN's DIST price I found out today! Called a Timken Distributor near me...sales lady was very kind but they normally don't deal in automotive bearings....but she called Timken for me...30 minutes later had the answer....Timken does NOT make that part on normal production now!! (wonder why??) The bearing they do but not the whole assembly....she told me HER cost for the assembly was $260..even so, at 30% markup or so, I would pay that!! BUT GM Direct just blew me away!!! RockAuto.com shows it but for $362....Only thing from GMDirect is shipping (almost $100 just for that!)....now WHY can't I go get it from somewhere local and SAVE the shipping?? (Not to mention the sales tax that will be added on!!)

But Mjohn, you just made my day!!! WOW....I can have BOTH replaced for less than ONE would cost me at the dealer (labor included on their end)...I can do the labor myself with the whole assembly...and will this week...(I am out of work right now but starting my own biz and need the Blazer in running condition).

AC Delco part is FW 155.....for the 2WD model....hmmm wonder if I can get a cross on that somewhere (Rockauto was still too expensive for me)

Thanks again...I MAY just keep this thing (anyone have an easy repair or fix for the seat recliner handles??? Also how do unplug the rear washer hose from the bottle under the hood..it's been blocked somewhere and I cant find it! What about a stuck back hatch that wont unlatch...though the motor tries to! Reply direct to
Houstontelecom at Earthlink.net if you do.....Tnx!

[das6505]

I just found out today my hub is bad please let me know if anyone else has these symptoms. get up to about 60-80mphs and it vibrates/shakes. More the faster you go. Lot of play in the wheel when you move it back and forth. I don't want to pay $350-$400 either. Any advise? By the way mine is a 4WD