Wheel bearing failure?

[burrpenick]

Just had the front passenger side go bad at 155K miles, nearly $500 to replace, sound right? Can I expect the other side to go soon? Are the REAR WHEEL BEARINGS servicable?

[sideshowalan]

Wheel bearings don't fail at a pre-determined rate, just depends on usage. They'll make noise when replacement is needed.

Front bearings have to be pressed in and out of the hub w/ a shop press. The rears can be replaced as a single 'hub unit' that bolts off and on, no press needed.

If the fronts go bad again, and you're handy, you can save some money by removing the knuckle yourself and taking it to a shop w/ a new bearing to be pressed in.

[burrpenick]

I am somewhat good with a wrench, but mostly on my 1972 Duster 340/4sp/3.91 Sure Grip hot rod- dont love working on the Vibe. The shop had to cut the old bearing off, I figured it could have been pressed, but dont know why they didnt. He said it was a bear, including the extra large 12 pt nut that had to come off first (he had not seen one that big). I believe there is no greasing these but what about the rears- any way to grease em? You say the bearing cannot be replaced alone but the entire hub h as to be replaced? Guess I can only hope that pass side bearing hit curbs/holes more than the drivers side and that may have caused its early demise. Guess I can only listen for that ROAR AGAIN!

George

[star_deceiver]

Since they're a sealed bearing you'd have to pop off one of the seals, clean the old grease out, regrease, and re-install the seal... simply adding more grease will cook the bearing and blow the seal... If the bearing is already making noise, re-greasing will not buy you that much time before it will need to be replaced as the bearing is worn out.

In reality, the front bearing itself shouldn't cost more then $75. If you have the space and the ability/aptitude, buy yourself a press and acetylene torch and a wide assortment of tools and avoid the dreaded "shop labour rate"!

[burrpenick]

Thanks, and I do have most everything needed to change that front bearing, but.......its a pain so I hope not to try it! I thought all the bearings are now sealed, so my question is 155K an average life for one? What have others been reporting? Can I expect the other one to go soon?

[bluneon]

there are no averages of wheel bearing life expectancy. how long they last is dependent on many variables.

live or drive on a dirt road a lot? expect it to fail sooner.
hit lots of pot holes? a severe enough impact from an accident? etc.

would anyone be able to determine an average life of a wheel bearing from those factors or predict when they will fail? they fail when they fail. there is no set standard on life expectancy.

i've seen a failed wheel bearing on a vehicle with less than 15,000 miles.
i haven't had a wheel bearing failure on my dodge shadow which is at 215,000 miles.

yes, you should be expecting the other one to fail, when? don't know. i've replaced a failed sealed front wheel bearing on an infiniti g35x a few years ago. fixed the complaint under warranty. customer came back a week later complaining of the same noise as before, i thought i may have made a mistake. turns out the other front wheel bearing failed as well. replaced under warranty. keep in mind that he lives on a dirt road.

[burrpenick]

Thanks for all the replies!

I dont live on a dirt road but my guess was that this VIBE"S passenger side front wheel has hit the curb/pothole one too many times. I dont remember doing it myself TOO bad, but have pounded it some. I know what to listen for!

GP

[Raven]

My front passenger side went at 130,500 miles (210,000km). It cost me $150.00 to replace at my local garage ($45.00/hr). I drive on a lot of dirt roads and the paved roads around here are super rough.

[burrpenick]

$150 was a great price, not sure what it should have been as I was traveling. The shop said the book called for 4 hours- other prices out there. Still not sure if it s/b ALIGNED EITHER.