Tie rod ends and wheel bearings - just use GM stuff?
03-24-2008, 11:36 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Tie rod ends and wheel bearings - just use GM stuff?
So the wheel bearings and outer tie rod ends are bad on both sides of the rear of my C5Z, and I need to replace them before I go in for the spring alignment...
Do people generally just use GM replacement parts for these, or do they go for an aftermarket supplier that offers beefier parts that can take more abuse?
Finally if you were go get regular GM replacement parts, is gmpartsdirect.com the best way to go?
FWIW I am asking the autocross/roadrace folks because I am looknig for strong replacement parts, not cheap replacement parts like will probably be recommended in C5 gen...
Thanks in advance!
Do people generally just use GM replacement parts for these, or do they go for an aftermarket supplier that offers beefier parts that can take more abuse?
Finally if you were go get regular GM replacement parts, is gmpartsdirect.com the best way to go?
FWIW I am asking the autocross/roadrace folks because I am looknig for strong replacement parts, not cheap replacement parts like will probably be recommended in C5 gen...
Thanks in advance!
03-25-2008, 12:45 AM
#2
All I can advise is that on my tie rods I just put some heat insulation sleeve for protection.
Slightly off topic, but I ordered some parts from gmpartsdirect recently and what I don't like is they do not make themselves available over the phone and have not answered any of my emails since I ordered. I have no idea when my order is supposed to come. Pretty upsetting. They even have a policy that says custom orders are non-refundable and conveniently put the custom order asterisk next to all of the things I ordered. Even a simple fuel filter which I generally don't consider a custom order. In my case I need a couple of the parts very soon and had I known they would do this I would have just bought them locally.
Slightly off topic, but I ordered some parts from gmpartsdirect recently and what I don't like is they do not make themselves available over the phone and have not answered any of my emails since I ordered. I have no idea when my order is supposed to come. Pretty upsetting. They even have a policy that says custom orders are non-refundable and conveniently put the custom order asterisk next to all of the things I ordered. Even a simple fuel filter which I generally don't consider a custom order. In my case I need a couple of the parts very soon and had I known they would do this I would have just bought them locally.
03-25-2008, 01:19 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
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But to answer your original question.... I don't know if anyone makes those parts aftermarket that are superior to OEM. Whatever you do, make sure you stay away from the China junk, but I'm sure you already knew that.
I bought my ball joints and front tie rod ends from Vette Brakes. They said that were US made.
03-25-2008, 02:27 AM
#5
Team Owner
tie rod ends get from VBP and the new HD bearings from Van Steel are supposed to be out soon or autozone has Timken bearing which seem to be OEM
03-25-2008, 08:03 AM
#7
Team Owner
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The stock GM bearing is a Timken bearing. Get the Timken at Autozone for much less.
Dont know what Caully can sell them for.
Heard that GM will have their racing bears available to anyone though GMPP not just racing teams. Dont know when though
Also that would be a good time to put in ARP or GM hardened studs, Before you install the new bearing
Dont know what Caully can sell them for.
Heard that GM will have their racing bears available to anyone though GMPP not just racing teams. Dont know when though
Also that would be a good time to put in ARP or GM hardened studs, Before you install the new bearing
03-25-2008, 08:17 AM
#8
Le Mans Master
All I can advise is that on my tie rods I just put some heat insulation sleeve for protection.
Slightly off topic, but I ordered some parts from gmpartsdirect recently and what I don't like is they do not make themselves available over the phone and have not answered any of my emails since I ordered. I have no idea when my order is supposed to come. Pretty upsetting. They even have a policy that says custom orders are non-refundable and conveniently put the custom order asterisk next to all of the things I ordered. Even a simple fuel filter which I generally don't consider a custom order. In my case I need a couple of the parts very soon and had I known they would do this I would have just bought them locally.
Slightly off topic, but I ordered some parts from gmpartsdirect recently and what I don't like is they do not make themselves available over the phone and have not answered any of my emails since I ordered. I have no idea when my order is supposed to come. Pretty upsetting. They even have a policy that says custom orders are non-refundable and conveniently put the custom order asterisk next to all of the things I ordered. Even a simple fuel filter which I generally don't consider a custom order. In my case I need a couple of the parts very soon and had I known they would do this I would have just bought them locally.
...will never deal with GMPD again, I had a problem and they would not respond to me. They should have a warning on their web page...."Use At Your Own Risk"!
03-25-2008, 09:17 AM
#9
Team Owner
You can go with MOOG or AC Delco for the tie rod ends or ball joints if needed. Either brand would be fine for street/autocross/track use.
For bearings, AC Delco will work fine or the AutoZone Timken units.
For bearings, AC Delco will work fine or the AutoZone Timken units.
03-25-2008, 11:03 AM
#11
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Wow, thanks for all the ideas! Sounds like as of right now there isn't anything substantially better than just OE replacement - so I'll go for something in that realm...
Unfortunately gmpartsdirect has the best prices on everything - but I'll pay more for better service and to support the smaller vendors any day of the week rather than going through the hastle of a large companay. So I'll likely be going to VBP or gmpartshouse for what I need.
Thanks again!
Unfortunately gmpartsdirect has the best prices on everything - but I'll pay more for better service and to support the smaller vendors any day of the week rather than going through the hastle of a large companay. So I'll likely be going to VBP or gmpartshouse for what I need.
Thanks again!
03-25-2008, 11:08 AM
#12
Team Owner
Wow, thanks for all the ideas! Sounds like as of right now there isn't anything substantially better than just OE replacement - so I'll go for something in that realm...
Unfortunately gmpartsdirect has the best prices on everything - but I'll pay more for better service and to support the smaller vendors any day of the week rather than going through the hastle of a large companay. So I'll likely be going to VBP or gmpartshouse for what I need.
Thanks again!
Unfortunately gmpartsdirect has the best prices on everything - but I'll pay more for better service and to support the smaller vendors any day of the week rather than going through the hastle of a large companay. So I'll likely be going to VBP or gmpartshouse for what I need.
Thanks again!
03-25-2008, 12:15 PM
#13
Team Owner
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As someone mentioned above, check the prices at Autozone for the bearings. It's the exact same bearing, and I haven't seen anyone beat AutoZone's price.
03-25-2008, 02:45 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
FWIW I also tried getting them through my dad who own's a shop and has corporate accounts/discounts on the stuff - and even his price was $150+ for the bearings and $80 for the tie rod ends from the dealer.
06-12-2008, 06:37 AM
#16
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All I can advise is that on my tie rods I just put some heat insulation sleeve for protection.
Slightly off topic, but I ordered some parts from gmpartsdirect recently and what I don't like is they do not make themselves available over the phone and have not answered any of my emails since I ordered. I have no idea when my order is supposed to come. Pretty upsetting. They even have a policy that says custom orders are non-refundable and conveniently put the custom order asterisk next to all of the things I ordered. Even a simple fuel filter which I generally don't consider a custom order. In my case I need a couple of the parts very soon and had I known they would do this I would have just bought them locally.
Slightly off topic, but I ordered some parts from gmpartsdirect recently and what I don't like is they do not make themselves available over the phone and have not answered any of my emails since I ordered. I have no idea when my order is supposed to come. Pretty upsetting. They even have a policy that says custom orders are non-refundable and conveniently put the custom order asterisk next to all of the things I ordered. Even a simple fuel filter which I generally don't consider a custom order. In my case I need a couple of the parts very soon and had I known they would do this I would have just bought them locally.
Never again! Hope they self destruct.
06-12-2008, 07:30 AM
#17
Race Director
The Van Steele bearings SHOULD be good, but we'll have to get some field data. OEM is certainly better than some of the repros floating around.
As for tierod ends, OEM is fine, but you MUST wrap them. The VBP ends are great, as they are longers (have more threads), so if you've added negative camber to your car (and unscrewed the tie rods to correct toe), you still have lots of threads intact. Again, you still MUST wrap them to protect from rotor heat
As for tierod ends, OEM is fine, but you MUST wrap them. The VBP ends are great, as they are longers (have more threads), so if you've added negative camber to your car (and unscrewed the tie rods to correct toe), you still have lots of threads intact. Again, you still MUST wrap them to protect from rotor heat
09-15-2008, 03:23 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
The stock GM bearing is a Timken bearing. Get the Timken at Autozone for much less.
Dont know what Caully can sell them for.
Heard that GM will have their racing bears available to anyone though GMPP not just racing teams. Dont know when though
Also that would be a good time to put in ARP or GM hardened studs, Before you install the new bearing
Dont know what Caully can sell them for.
Heard that GM will have their racing bears available to anyone though GMPP not just racing teams. Dont know when though
Also that would be a good time to put in ARP or GM hardened studs, Before you install the new bearing
