Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (Full Version)

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Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best?

lennyblazer -> Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/17/2007 5:51:45 PM)
So I am in the market for some new front 4x4 hub bearings since one of mine seems to be going bad. I have been doing lots of reading on different brands with prices and warranties. I have been looking at the timken ones from Jiggs website since they seem to be the best deal, but I have no idea what is a good quality, long lasting brand. Therefore I was wondering what the best brand is that people have had experience with? Thanks in advance.

Jigg -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/17/2007 8:03:08 PM)
For what it's worth: I'm running the bearings off of my site on my truck with 1.25" spacers, and 33x12.50 BFG MT KM's with absolutely no problems. They've held together perfectly. I've sold probably 75+ units in the past year, and have had zero complaints.

lennyblazer -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/17/2007 8:07:56 PM)
Sweet, thats pretty much what I was looking for. Just a nice, tough, reliable part that others have not had problems with, since they arent super cheap.

Hanr3 -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/18/2007 7:49:32 PM)
I prefer Timken. This link might be of some help. http://www.blazerforum.com/m_56421/tm.htm

Jigg -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/19/2007 8:37:01 AM)
The ones i was referring to are made by the company that makes Timken's bearings... just not under the Timken brand name [8D]

SD40T2 -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/26/2007 7:52:30 AM)
i would go with the Timikin, our '00 Blazer has had an appitite for hub bearings and I have tried most brands and Timikin last the longest. We used to own a '93 Blazer and I NEVER put a bearing in it and we sold it with 278000miles, the '00 has gone through 6 sets in 100000miles and infact I am on my way outside to tear the drivers side apart and fix the bearing yet again. I am considering backdating the hubs, shafts and ABS sensers.It is getting old changing these bearings. The first 4 sets were installed under warrenty and they did not last any longer, what's up with these newer bearings?

Jigg -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/26/2007 10:02:37 AM)
Rich, Do you have aftermarket wheels on your blazer? I have to think that there's something more going on, as even with 33x12.50 MT's and 1.25" spacers, i've only had to change my bearings once in the 140k mile life of the truck.

SD40T2 -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/26/2007 7:38:47 PM)
Truck is all stock daily driver, no off roading, the bearings average 17k lifespan. I was suprized that the bearing I replaced today was 1.5 months old and had a catastrophic failier(I think a roller shattered yesterday and killed bearing) without warning, Auto Zone and Napa really love me[:@]. My theory as to why these bearings go bad is when the integrated the ABS sensors into the bearing they had to reduce the bearing surface to accomodate the speed sensor "gear" thus weakening the bearing. I have worked on trucks for 30 years and have never had the problems that I have had with this truck. I am researching back dating the system to the older style where the ABS sensor is mounted on the dust shield not integrated into the bearing, I will have to change CV chafts also, I am close to a "pick-n-pull" junk yard and getting good used componants to make the switch will cost about $100. Like I stated in my earlier post I had a '93 and never did a thing to the front end and it had 278000 miles on it when we sold it I also have a '89 and same thing no front end work at all and it's currently at 178000, love these trucks but this one is trying my paintence,I might add that I have replaced CV shafts when I installed this bearing a 1.5 months ago thinking that MAYBE there was a problem there. I am open to suggestions.

hillbillyinOhio -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/26/2007 8:13:27 PM)
Timken, and if ya pm me, i might be able to get ya a break on them. Shot me a pm with your truck info and I will see what I can do.

Jigg -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/26/2007 8:19:42 PM)
Rich, What are you torque-ing the axle nut down to? Over or under torquing will lead to failure of the bearings.

SD40T2 -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/27/2007 6:47:24 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Jigg Rich, What are you torque-ing the axle nut down to? Over or under torquing will lead to failure of the bearings. I don't have the manual in front of me but I want to say 200ft lbs. The bearings installed under warrenty did not last any longer than the ones I installed. The bearing that went the other day was definatly flawed from the start.as there was some sight noise which I was blaming on the semi-aggressive tread on the tires. there has been noise in the front which is why I changed CV and everything the last time around. It's to the point that I keep a bearing in stock so I can repair it(which I have got down to 30min start to finish[;)]) will see how longit lasts, it is quit now so hopefully I am good to go for awhile.

TripleBlackBlazer -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/27/2007 6:52:50 AM)
I'm sure others will chime in here to say the same. I believe the axle nut should be torqued to 103 ft-lbs. Since you can do it in 30mins. now you shouldn't need this, but it is helpful nonetheless. Also, Chevy Lover posted all sorts of torque specs here.

SD40T2 -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/27/2007 8:37:58 AM)
200 was just a guess, however I will go out and retorque I am willing to try anything to resolve this issue. Thanks for all the ideas folks.

SD40T2 -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/27/2007 8:42:04 AM)
OK I just went out and retorqued using a different torque wrench and 30ftlb difference between the 2 so maybe I have been over torquing all along without knowing we'll see. I will keep ya up to date. THANKS AGAIN!!

drperry -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/27/2007 3:35:59 PM)
Good luck, and hopefully it's solved your issues!

lennyblazer -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (12/27/2007 3:48:11 PM)
Good luck, hope they stop going bad all the time, cause they aint cheap. I don't know if mine is really going bad or not, but I don't feel like spending the money or time replacing it right now so we shall see in the future. Question: If you let a bearing go too long, what will happen? (i.e. will the wheel fall off, will it tug on the CV shafts and ruin those, etc.) I just don't know cause I have never messed around with this kind of stuff before.

SD40T2 -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (3/28/2008 6:07:26 PM)
UPDATE 20,000 miles on new bearing and so far so good. thanks for all the suggestions Rich

lennyblazer -> RE: Hub Bearing Assemblies, what brand is best? (3/28/2008 10:12:49 PM)
Well as an update I replaced mine less than a thousand miles ago with the ones off of Jigg's website (synergyoffroad.com) and so far no complaints. It went on well and stopped making noise so I am happy, now it seems like I might have a warpped brake rotor, I noticed this before I replaced the hub bearing too, now its just a little more noticable under severe braking.

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