Dolfan

OK,
Checked into wheel bearings from local parts shops.

Autozone - Timken $169
Advance - BCA $168
NAPA - NAPA $227
GM Dealer - GM $448
GM Parts Direct - $228 + $44 S/H = $272

Has anyone had any experiance with these different manufacturers, the GM dealer unit is looking way out of line on price?

n1kki6

i got mine from pepboys for 149 with a lifetime warrenty. I dont remember the brand off hand.


[Modified by n1kki6, 2:48 PM 2/24/2003]

Redhot84Z51

From personal experience, get the GM ones. I put two sets of the cheap ones on in three years. That's actually more than one set of GM. They were 269 from Mid america.

Dolfan

RedHot,

Do you remember what brand of "cheap" hubs you used?

Timken? BCA? Chicago Rawhide? Other?

I'm curious I'd like to make an informed decision if I deciside to save the money.

chucks88

My story may help you out
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=411898

Dolfan

chucks88, Thanks for the related story. I'm looking into the fronts only right now. Didn't look like you were dealing with the front but the rear only but does present some questions on the manufacturers.

I on have 68K on my ride but now have about 10 autox sessions on the car and I know that is stressing things like this that might go longer with normal driving.

But then again what is normal corvette driving :D :cheers:

Thanks for the perspective from your experiance.

VetBoy89

Call Jeff Kopp at Superior Chevrolet, he'll give them to you for about the same price as GMpartsdirect with lower shipping.

Jeff Kopp - (800) 728-8267
Or parts@superchevyperformance.com :thumbs:

[EDIT] Make sure you tell him you're a Forum member to get the discount [/EDIT]


[Modified by VetBoy89, 3:27 PM 2/24/2003]

Igniter

Hey,
I'm just curious as to how you can really tell that a car's wheel bearings are on their way out. Obviously, most of you just replace them as a rule of them when it's convenient at a mileage of your choosing, but I was wondering what effects bad bearings would have.

Squeaks? Chirping noises with wheel/tire rotation? Has this ever happened to anyone? Reason I ask is because I have an annoying chirping noise coming from the rear, and I believe it to be on the left (drivers-side). It increases in speed as speed increases, so I know it's something on the driveshaft(s). :confused:

Lemme know, thanks.

sailrmon

Igniter: Your noise sounds like the classic sound of worn u-joints.

chucks88

First off............Welcome to the forum.......there is no turning back now.

For a bearing test, get the rear tire off the ground, grab the tire at 12:00 and 6:00 and rock it to see if there is movement. I am not talking about the movement from the suspension but a distinct up and down movement. It may only feel like it moves a .031 or so. any movement is not good. how old is your car and how many miles?

chucks88

Never mind you have an "87. and it's gold metalic :thumbs:

robertpel9

i got NAPA's for 197 about 4 months ago, no complaints here

Goody

When you are checking for bearing wear, make sure you are getting bearing movement and not ball joint movement.

Steel Blue 91

First off, Welcome. I make it a habit to check my hubs during a tire rotation since both wheels on one side are off the ground at the same time. Just jack it up and position your hands at 12 and 6 o'clock. Pull with one and push with the other. Any movement indicates wear in the hub and should be replaced. As for your rotational squeaking...sounds like u joints. Perhaps brake pads? Will the sound (squeak) change when the brakes are applied? If so, worn pads might be the problem.