Front Wheel Bearings on '99 2WD

99BlazerLS · #1 12-22-2004, 11:20 AM

I am new to this forum so please forgive me if this comes out wrong. I have scanned hundreds of posts and have not seen any one address how to get at the front wheel bearings on my '99 2WD LS Blazer. The hub does not have the usual grease cup covering the castle nut on the spindle. It appears to be some kind of sealed thing not meant to come off. Am I missing something obvious or is there a trick to getting at the bearings??

99BlazerLS

sparks59 · #2 12-22-2004, 01:51 PM

Seems as if you are having the same problem as I am. Mine is a 2000 Blazer with 4 wheel disc anti lock brakes. You have to remove the wheel and brake caliper unplug the sensor wire. Then loosen the 4 bolts on the backside that attaches the hub to the vehicle, So far I haven't gotten any replies on how to replace the wheel brgs or the part numbers to order the bearings or the whole assembly. I've checked several parts houses with no luck finding the bearings or the hub assembly.They are simply not listed in any parts catalogs around here. Although the friendly Chevrolet dealer will gladly sell you a hub assembly for around $478.00 and even present it with a smile! I would assume that you are in need of some wheel brgs or you wouldn't be asking how to get at them. Sorry, I know this is no help to you but maybe a little informative. Maybe someone on this forum will read this post and have a solution.

99BlazerLS · #3 12-22-2004, 03:23 PM

Thank you for the info. As you probably are, I am hoping it is much simpler to deal with the bearings than buying a complete new hub assembly. GM has done some pretty stupid things (like our one piece fuel pump / sending unit-I love that one) but I hope they weren't dumb enough to take something so simple and screw it up. Probably just another way to squeeze money out of us. I will keep you informed if and when I turn anything up.

clariveros · #4 12-22-2004, 03:55 PM

i went trough this myself, and I hate to say it to you guys but you are both screwed, GM only sells the HUB assembly, complete with the abs sensor, and yeah it cost right about $450, if you ask nicely you might be able to get it for wholesale which is $350, at the dealer. it is not a hard fix but it is costly

the bearings cannot be repacked and though they list different parts it only seem like you can get the entire assembly

the following is from gmparts direct. best of luck

WHEEL BEARING
Application Part Number
RWD, Front,Inner 457196
Front,Outer 14066918

WHEEL HUB
Application Part Number
RWD, Front 15731627

ABS SPEED SENSOR
Application Part Number
RWD 15731969

sparks59 · #5 12-22-2004, 07:55 PM

Hey it seems Clariveros has given us some relief, As he stated it is still costly but much better than the other option. I have asked gmpartsdirect a few questions about the hub and I will post the answers as I receive them. Anyway you look at it $173.00 is much better than $478.00 ! Thanks again Clariveros!

Mikado14 · #6 12-22-2004, 09:53 PM

I have done this before and unless you have a very good and stout hydraulic press, you in for a treat. You may have to take the hub assembly to someone that can press them out and back in.

swalt · #7 12-22-2004, 10:38 PM

And us 4x4 guys don't have a choice of repacking...sealed units.

99BlazerLS · #8 12-23-2004, 11:39 AM

Thank you guys, especially you Clariveros for the details. Anybody have any idea why GM would pull such a smooth move to change a simple bearing assembly that works just fine on millions of other front ends??

sparks59 · #9 12-23-2004, 01:21 PM

Hey guys the reply is in from gmpartsdirect.com. They said the only way you can service the bearings or the sensor is to buy the hub assembly part #15731627 and it is complete with speed sensor and bearings, Mikado, you posted about changing bearings with a hydraulic press. That would be a cheaper alternative, do you recall where you purchased the bearings?

BlazerLT · #10 12-23-2004, 08:20 PM

You can swap out the bearing separately.

I suggest you buy a haynes or chiltons repair manual. It tells you what to do.

bradhaight · #11 12-23-2004, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparks59

Seems as if you are having the same problem as I am. Mine is a 2000 Blazer with 4 wheel disc anti lock brakes. You have to remove the wheel and brake caliper unplug the sensor wire. Then loosen the 4 bolts on the backside that attaches the hub to the vehicle, So far I haven't gotten any replies on how to replace the wheel brgs or the part numbers to order the bearings or the whole assembly. I've checked several parts houses with no luck finding the bearings or the hub assembly.They are simply not listed in any parts catalogs around here. Although the friendly Chevrolet dealer will gladly sell you a hub assembly for around $478.00 and even present it with a smile! I would assume that you are in need of some wheel brgs or you wouldn't be asking how to get at them. Sorry, I know this is no help to you but maybe a little informative. Maybe someone on this forum will read this post and have a solution.

I have 1999 with 74,000 had to replace left one at 63,000, and right at 71,000... my new beetle has 130,00 and still smooth.. I purchased my at advanced aoto parts for 130 for the complete assembly.. .. This is also a know problem, and gm ignores the problem, just like the turn signal assembly on 1999 has no problems... yeh right.. gm need to recall this item too.. it will be my last gm product.. simple items like these should not fail at these miles....

BlazerLT · #12 12-23-2004, 09:38 PM

Comparing a blazer front suspension to a beetle is a little biased don't you think.

One is a truck, one is a car.

One weighs 4000lbs, the other maybe 3500lbs max.

Mikado14 · #13 12-24-2004, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparks59

Hey guys the reply is in from gmpartsdirect.com. They said the only way you can service the bearings or the sensor is to buy the hub assembly part #15731627 and it is complete with speed sensor and bearings, Mikado, you posted about changing bearings with a hydraulic press. That would be a cheaper alternative, do you recall where you purchased the bearings?

The bearings were purchase through one of our jobbers where I work - Berrodin Parts Wharehouse. They have locations in southeast PA and northern Delaware. If you find a jobber that supplies parts to shops, and I don't mean Pep Boys or equivalent, you should be able to get them. Just be prepared for a job. We have a 60 ton press and it was tough to get them out. Also, remember when you press in the new ones to press only on the outer race.

sparks59 · #14 12-28-2004, 07:40 AM

Mikado 14, Replacing the bearings sounds like a much cheaper solution, Can you get an aftermarket bearing part number like skf, bca or timken for the inner and outer bearings for a 2000 blazer 2wd front hub. I'm just not getting anywhere around here. Everyone is stuck on changing the whole assembly and don't show it nor the bearings, Their solution is go to GM and pay the price! I'm just having problems with laying down and taking that!

Mikado14 · #15 12-28-2004, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparks59

Mikado 14, Replacing the bearings sounds like a much cheaper solution, Can you get an aftermarket bearing part number like skf, bca or timken for the inner and outer bearings for a 2000 blazer 2wd front hub. I'm just not getting anywhere around here. Everyone is stuck on changing the whole assembly and don't show it nor the bearings, Their solution is go to GM and pay the price! I'm just having problems with laying down and taking that!

Here you go, these are numbers from our jobber at work.

BCA Bearings

GM 457196 = BCA A6 $6.47 ea

GM 14066918 = BCA A34 $6.66 ea

These bearings are listed for a 2000 2WD Blazer. Hope they crossed them right.

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD