66dts-v

So at about 145k miles on my '01, I got some vibration and sounds from the rear. After I had the clutch done, the shop had mentioned the wheel bearings were shot. I replaced all 4 with what was labeled as Timken bearings. It was all good until about a month ago. I am now at 185k and the rears are toast again (haven't checked the front).

My alignment checked out and my rear tires wear very square. I don't track my car, but I do drive it. So what bearings would you recommend that will last more than 40k miles? I would swear the ones I replaced were OE and seemed to last 145k miles (60k of those mine)

OE?
Timken (again)
Timken bearings (hub by another brand)
ZR1?
Something else?

Granted, I may only have my car another 3-4 years, but I would like to not have to do the wheel bearings again if possible. ANd if they can be had for $150/wheel or less, that would be great. Thanks

$62: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/axt-512153/overview/

$154: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tmk-512153

Both labeled as Timken bearings, Summit couldn't tell me the difference. I would rather not spend 3x as much for the same results.

69

Check out Detroit Axle, used thier stuff for years and with no issues...
Thier wheel bearing warranty is 10 years.
Goose

69

As you posted that the rear bearings are having issues, it is really important to apply the proper torque to the CV shaft nut to avoid the wheel bearings being loaded in compression stress.
Just do a search on the Timken site and there are some great tech articles on this topic.

Cheers
Goose

66dts-v

Thanks! The Detroit Axle hubs look to be about $150/pair, that works. I am pretty sure I had them torqued to spec, but I will do some research, too.

This set lasted about 3 years, so 10 would be a serious improvement.

smitty2919

SKF X Tracker. You will never replace them again....but they are also not under $150.

gimp

SKF X-tracker for street use is basically "spend money now and never worry." There's a lot to be said for that strategy, but they're like $400 each, right? That's a lot of dough to drop. I've yet to have wheel bearing failures with stock units at just under 100k miles, track days, autox days, supercharger, etc etc. For the price of four SKF units, you can buy like three times as many OEM units? If they perform as well as mine have (~100k miles and 16 years without issue, or without issue that I know about since I'm not the first owner) ...

66dts-v

So are you talking AC Delco wheel hubs? I THOUGHT what I bought last time were better than OE, but obviously that isn't the case. So maybe AC Delco or go Detroit Axle. Thanks for the info.

runner140*

Check out RockAuto Parts.....I think I got the Timkin $121.00 ones on the rears. So far, so good (over two years).

lionelhutz

AC Delco isn't necessarily as good as OEM, especially their Advantage line.

If I was betting I'd put money on the standard SKF hubs lasting the longest and they can be had for under $150 each. Timken is pretty good too. Pretty much anything else is a crapshoot, might last over 100k miles or might start making noise by 10k miles.

The $62 hub you linked at Summit is not a Timken. It's an off brand AutoExtra bearing.

The $40 price of the Detroit Axle rear hubs makes the quality seem rather dubious. I wonder how hard it is to collect on their 10 year warranty.

leadfoot4

RB211

Just replaced both rears with Timkens from Rock Auto. I use Timken on my Jeep and have had great luck with them over the years.

66dts-v

I just ordered a set of 4 for $136. I verified they come with a 10 year warranty. These barely lasted 35k miles and 2 years, maybe?

Will I have my car for 10 more years? Not likely. But I would think I will have it at least 2 more or 35k miles. If they last that long, I'm satisfied.

awches

Changed all 4 of mine out this Spring with over 120K miles on the oem's. Had one vibrating in the rear and a small shimmy from one in the front at about 80 to 90 mph. Rock Auto and Timkins.

lionelhutz

I don't understand what you're claiming. You bought Detroit Axle hubs, right? They only lasted 35k or some other hub only lasted 35k?

leadfoot4

He's claiming that he bought 4 hub bearings for the same price as one "known, high quality" hub bearing, and HOPING that they'll last for 2-3 years.....at least that's how I interpret it.

runner140*

Me too....

66dts-v

I just bought the Detroit Axle hubs and they will be here next week. The last set of hubs were not Detroit but we're supposed to be good. They lasted about 35k miles. My originals blew out at about 140k. They might not have been original as I got my car at 72k, but they lasted at least 70k with me.

lionelhutz

I understand now. I somehow missed that you were the OP.

What did your last ones cost each? That would be a good indicator of them being a real Timken or not. There was some confusion earlier in the thread about a $62 bearing being a Timken which it isn't.

66dts-v

Not sure what the cost was exactly, but I had bought them because I was told they were Timken bearings. It was almost 3 years ago.

I just didn't anticipate changing them again so damn soon, hence me asking the question. And while I am not a fan of changing them, I am also not looking to pay $100+ each, either.

If I can get at least twice as much time out of these Detroit Axle parts, I will be happy.

My car is 18 years old and I drive her daily. She is no princess, but I try to keep her up as best I can.