Wheel Bearings - Best Deal?

[*B2*]

I replaced my wheel bearings just two months ago with a couple of guaranteed GMB hubs from eBay. I've been hearing a growl up front already, and the dealer just told me that one of them is already in really bad shape, so he can't align the car. I'm friends with the service dept at the dealership and they are giving me a good price on the hubs($275 each), but I see some Timkens on eBay for $180 each shipped. Are these the same hubs, or am I asking for trouble buying eBay hubs again? I don't want to waste money, but I also don't want to do this again. What do you guys use?

Here is the link to the eBay hubs:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Timken-W ... 579wt_1165

And a link to he GMPD hubs:
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/catalog/frameset.cfm

[*B2*]

I need this car back up quick, so I think I'll buy from Rock Auto for $220 each. The repair bills are adding up!

[harofreak00]

SilverBullet ordered some front hubs from RockAuto and they only lasted 6 months.

Anyone who is looking to buy a new hub should consider GM now. This unit looks to be much better quality than the Rock Auto for the same price.
If the car sells soon I'll never know if it truly is a better bearing and lasts more than 6 months!

I know I'm not like most, but I almost always go for the used parts. $200+ for a hub is crazy to think when a good used low mile one is only $50.

[*B2*]

Thanks for the advice Haro. I hear you on the used parts, but I hate to take the chance. I'll see if I can cancel that Rock Auto order and just buy them from the stealership. I really don't want to have to do this again!

EDIT: Called Rock Auto. They are the same Delco part # as the dealership is selling. They also have a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty IIRC. Apparently they sell a few different hubs, but this one is the same as the dealership sells. I sure hope so anyway!

[Archon]

A little late now, I know, but I've had good luck with the hubs from Intense.

[00Beast]

I just put a Timken off of RockAuto on my car, seems like a good bearing. Cost me $110 with shipping and the site discount.

IIRC, Paul remembered that the ones that he bought were off of e-bay. Not 100% on that.

[dpcookson]

I too bought a cheap aftermarket wheelbearing for my bonnie only to find out 6 months later @ about 200,000 kms that it needed to be replaced as well as the original one on the other side. The kicker, the alignment technician told me the new bearing was in worse condition than the original!! So I broke down and decided to buy new GM bearings because I figured why waste money buying something that wouldn't last 6 months when obviously the factory bearings could last 200,000 kms. Yes more money but worth the piece of mind knowing it won't need to be replaced again as long as I own the car.

[*B2*]

This is a good discussion. I know it has been covered before, but maybe we could discuss different hub options and reviews in the TechInfo, or in the 00+ frequent problem section? Most if not all of us have quite a few miles on our cars and will be replacing hubs soon.

[2000Silverbullet]

I just came in the door from replacing that 6 month old $180 "deal" of a bearing hub.
Never again! It was made in China.

Buy GM parts. They have improved the part and lowered the price. If I paid $180 here so you should pay less.

PS, the used rear hub I bought off Haro for $50 is still going strong after 6 months.

[*B2*]

I just came in the door from replacing that 6 month old $180 "deal" of a bearing hub.
Never again! It was made in China.

Buy GM parts. They have improved the part and lowered the price. If I paid $180 here so you should pay less.

PS, the used rear hub I bought off Haro for $50 is still going strong after 6 months.

That makes me feel a little better. I called the place selling the $180 Timken hubs and asked if they were Delco. They couldn't answer me, so I passed. You just confirmed my suspicion that they are a cheap hub with a Timken bearing.

I ended up with two AC Delco hubs for $220 each. Where might I find them for less than $180?

[2000Silverbullet]

I paid $180 from GM parts in a local dealership.
I was noticeably better looking quality wise than the E-Bay clone.

Running like a dream now with no noise.

Another bonus is the steering feels better now and it doesn't pull to the right anymore.

The box indicated an SKF bearing. They are well known to be the best industrial bearing.

[Archon]

The hubs at Intense are $100.

[Wes]

My part time job, i work at an auto parts store. Even at the minimal hours I work there, I see the cheap chinese hub bearings failing constantly. We carry a better brand called SKF, which are usually made in the us, sometimes i see canada and mexico on the box though. Those very rarely fail. They are also a bit more in cost, but is it really worth saving a few bucks to have to do the work 2-3 times more often? I feel the same with suspension parts as I do brakes. Get the good stuff, or you'll regret it later. Especially if its a daily driver and or a car you plan on keeping. just my 2 pennies.

[laxmangl]

Had both my front bearings replaced from stock when they failed (about 10,000 miles apart) with the cheap knockoffs which then both failed in 5000 miles. Both have been replaced with Timkin bearings with a lifetime warranty on parts and labor, and have been great for the last 35000 miles

[2000Silverbullet]

Both SKF and Timken are good quality American made bearings.

The problem is with the cheap low tolerance Chinese knock-off plastic caged non hardened garbage bearings and designers who don't allow the proper clearances.

[Rusgreim]

Howdy folks, back to the forums for a bit.

This was great information considering I am probably going to have to do both of my fronts as soon as the weather is better.

I miss this place!

[$awdust]

The hubs at Intense are $100.

Do you have any contact info for Intense?

[00Beast]

www.intense-racing.com

[riktik]

So I have a question on this topic. Rock Auto has the "Pro" and "Value Pro" parts that are said to have the same warranty on them as the Timken and SKF parts. Now, obviously those cheaper parts are cheaper for a reason, mostly because of materials, but also due to manufacturing standards. That being said you may be replacing them sooner, but does anyone have experience with these cheaper parts and warranty claims on them? Or even the Raybestos parts? I need to do a wheel bearing to pass inspection but not looking to spend a lot, because I want to upgrade my daily driver from my '01 bonne come spring time.

[harofreak00]

This is a 4-year old post. Please don't dig up old topics, just link back to them.