think my front hubs are bad...

[Big Ray]

I need a second opinion before I tear into it..

grinding noise (mostly while wheel is turned), vibration in front end when braking (feels & sounds like I'm on rain grooves),


I was thinking wheel bearings...did some research & found I have to change the entire hub. at 235$ per side...

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Checked www.rock-auto.com ?

 

[Big Ray]

I check oriellys website last night...went there today, got em for $121 each! woo hoo!!!

I checked Rock Auto too, but this is my DD & I didn't want to wait on shipping...

 

[Big Ray]

I found a cool video on checking the hubs...as little as .004 play is cause for replacement...

 

[Big Ray]

Well, I got ONE side done today...it was a piece of cake UNTIL it was time to get the hub out of the spindle...what a p.i.t.a.

hammer, pry, cuss, repeat...took me an hour to get the bastage out!!!!

I must have got lucky, it sounds like I got the bad (noisey) side first. I'm off tomorrow, I'll try the other side ...wish me luck!

 

[shady]

what is it on that you have to change the whole hub for bearings? never heard of that

 

[AJMBLAZER]

His Silverado.

Anything with unit bearing hubs is like this.

 

[shady]

they just keep adding to the price of fixing your own vehicles dont they

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Yup. The unit bearing hubs for my Tracker are relatively cheap at $100 or so each. However some fullsize truck hubs are double that or more. Parts stores can charge three times or more.

I will say they are good for some things. I can see their advantages for cars and the like. Did them on my ex's Cavalier around 6-7 years ago. Cost was like $60 each, no greasing, no seating, no torquing/inner and outer bearing seating drams, no nothing other than just getting the old one out and the new one in, then torquing the main bolt and putting the cotter pin in. Think her dad and I had them both done in a few hours.

 

[Big Ray]

I ahve a machinist buddy who just did his 2500...he kept his hubs. I asked him to look them over to see if he could machine them to accept "normal" bearings...he said it may be doable...

Too bad I beat the chit out of mine getting it off!!!

 

[Big Ray]

what is it on that you have to change the whole hub for bearings? never heard of that

99 new style Sierra...

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Years ago over on PavementSucks a guy disassembled and rebuilt his Dodge's front unit bearing hubs. Said it was doable but it involved presses, special tools, and fine tolerances. Not exactly for a guy at home in his garage.

 

[fesser]

Great little video. I just replacedthe driver's side axle in my 2500 Suburban after the old one came apart. Put the new one in and now hear a clicking noise that I thought was coming from the differential. Based on your post and the video I think I'll replace the bearing first.

 

[Big Ray]

Great little video. I just replacedthe driver's side axle in my 2500 Suburban after the old one came apart. Put the new one in and now hear a clicking noise that I thought was coming from the differential. Based on your post and the video I think I'll replace the bearing first.

When I took the old one out it looked like it had running rust coming from it. I could not feel any play by hand, yet now there's no noise and my front end has smoothed out...

gotta change the other side this weekend. I couldn't move the day after I changed the last one. I have an arthritic spine, and it inflammed the nerve...


I started physical therapy Wedensday, it has made a world of difference!

 

[fesser]

I started physical therapy Wedensday, it has made a world of difference!

I feel for you man. I've had back surgery and know how a bad back screws up your plans. I wish I owned stock in Advil.

 

[Big Ray]

I feel for you man. I've had back surgery and know how a bad back screws up your plans. I wish I owned stock in Advil.

There's a lot of folks worse off than me hitting it everyday...

I just have to plan "recovery time" into my projects now!


and I'd be crippled without "vitamin I" (ibuprofen)