Best/worst sealed wheel bearing brands

[drtyler]

There was also this thread:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...ew-wheel-hub-to-have-heat-marks-on-it.356594/

The OP in your thread over torqued those bearings by a significant amount. If you see other threads by that OP, mechanical maladies are not uncommon.

It appears that RockAuto is now selling counterfeit SKF hub bearing assemblies.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...-to-or-rockauto-sold-me-a-counterfeit.355990/

NAPA is a factory authorized distributor for SKF, so the chance of counterfeits should be much lower from them. Or you can buy directly from SKF at:

https://vehicleaftermarket.skf.com/us/en

SKF recently increased the warranty on their hubs to 5 years.

SKF Vehicle Aftermarket Extends Warranty on All Auto Hubs

 

[Trav]

Look at a whole host of products and you will find Rock Auto is not an authorized dealer for many of them eg NGK.
That is not to say most of what they sell is fake but their supply chain seems to be sketchy for some things and on the flip side some parts are NOS and preferable to the latest versions. Research is all you can do.

 

[michael007]

It appears that RockAuto is now selling counterfeit SKF hub bearing assemblies.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...-to-or-rockauto-sold-me-a-counterfeit.355990/

 

[D60]

There was also this thread:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...ew-wheel-hub-to-have-heat-marks-on-it.356594/

The OP in your thread over torqued those bearings by a significant amount. If you see other threads by that OP, mechanical maladies are not uncommon.

Yeah I that OP destroyed like 13 wheel bearings on that vehicle in 2 weeks (exaggeration, obviously) and finally figured out the problem might not be the hard parts

 

[SubLGT]

Does SKF manufacture 2 quality tiers of hub bearings, "good" and "best"?
I downloaded the SKF warranty policy (dated Dec 2022) from the NAPA website, and the warranty for light duty hub/bearing assemblies is stated as 12 months or 60 months. NAPA sells both versions (at least for a Subaru rear hub SKF p.n. BR930474) and the price difference is $26.

My local Subaru dealer wants $158 for the rear hub/bearing (1 year warranty), my local NAPA store wants $116 for the "best" SKF hub/bearing (5 year warranty) and RockAuto wants $57 + shipping for the SKF hub/bearing (1 year warranty?? no warranty??).

 

[KGMtech]

I've experienced bad MOOG wheel bearings, but RA was fine with refund. Virtually any bearing maker needs to be volume producer = OEM supplier to support the capital cost of the machinery needed to make bearings.

 

[drtyler]

Does SKF manufacture 2 quality tiers of hub bearings, "good" and "best"?
I downloaded the SKF warranty policy (dated Dec 2022) from the NAPA website, and the warranty for light duty hub/bearing assemblies is stated as 12 months or 60 months. NAPA sells both versions (at least for a Subaru rear hub SKF p.n. BR930474) and the price difference is $26.

My local Subaru dealer wants $158 for the rear hub/bearing (1 year warranty), my local NAPA store wants $116 for the "best" SKF hub/bearing (5 year warranty) and RockAuto wants $57 + shipping for the SKF hub/bearing (1 year warranty?? no warranty??).

From NAPA, I believe the "best" one is sourced from SKF and the lower tiers are sourced elsewhere.

Part of NAPA markup may include the 5 year warranty, since a large portion of their sales are to shops.

You can also buy directly from SKF:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/373955060135
or
https://vehicleaftermarket.skf.com/us/en/products/BR930474

On the ebay listing, it shows a 1 year warranty.

 

[SubLGT]

Part of NAPA markup may include the 5 year warranty, since a large portion of their sales are to shops.

I have been researching rear hub/bearings for my Subaru, and this is what I have learned about SKF products at NAPA:

NAPA is a factory authorized distributor for SKF products.

The "best" SKF hub/bearing they sell has a 5 year warranty from SKF, not NAPA.

The NAPA "E-Coated" corrosion resistant SKF hub/bearing comes with a 3 year warranty from NAPA

The NAPA "Proformer" SKF hub/bearing comes with a 1 year warranty from NAPA.

All three hub/bearings listed above use SKF part numbers with an added NAPA prefix, so it is probable they are all being manufactured by SKF for NAPA.

https://www.aftermarketnews.com/skf-vehicle-aftermarket-extends-warranty-on-all-auto-hubs/

SKF Vehicle Aftermarket North America announced Jan. 1, 2023, that it will increase its warranty offer across its entire line of automotive hubs from three to five years. The expanded full warranty covers SKF’s complete lineup of premium auto hub components and delivers greater product assurance and long-term protection to customers.

 

[GMBoy]

I used a FAG bearing once and it was made very well. Only problem was the customer was gay and when he saw the part line description of "FAG wheel bearing" he got mad until I showed him the actual part box lol

 

[oil pan 4]

I looks like the part number is 510058 and I think my choices are national and timken.
I wouldn't mind that skf and 5 year warranty.

 

[oil pan 4]

Sealed bearings are trash compared to the tapered roller bearing from the old days. I 100% hate them, they offer absolutely no advantage except to the OEMs.

 

[bullwinkle]

Japanese bearings are good. All the wheel bearing on my made in Japan Nissan are original with 125,000 miles.

3 of the 4 on the Toyotas in my sig are original-both the xB’s are original @127K, one of the Corolla’s is original @ 171K.

 

[Yourhomiematt]

I always use timken when available skf is my second choice

 

[oil pan 4]

To short circuit the best longest lasting bearing debate I went to the junk yard and picked up a spare front hub.
Now if I suspect the hub is going out I'll swap it, I got a $30 timkin 510058 bearing in my rockauto cart the next time I order something. I'll keep the spare with the spare tire stuff under the jump seat.

 

[OFFRD]

Well I need a wheel bearing for the front right of my Challenger SRT8. On Rock Auto, the Timken bearing brings up a photo of a SKF. So I guess I'll try that one. $80 bucks isn't bad I guess. Especially for such a critical part.

 

[D1dad]

Does anyone have any experience with Napa E coated wheel bearings? I need to replace one today, Napa has it in stock and I don’t have time to wait on rock auto and don’t feel like getting ripped of by a dealer or the auto parts store on an skf or BCA.

 

[Number_35]

FAG is supplier to many manufacturers, if not majority.

Coincidentally enough, I recently replaced a front wheel-bearing/hub assembly on a 2009 Kia Sedona. I bought a genuine Kia part, which came in a FAG box.

 

[D1dad]

I’ve had good luck with Moog. I put a pair on my 09 and they’re still going strong 50k later. I used a carquest first and it failed in 10k. I’ve since found out that BCA is the oem for Nissan without the $300 price tag. Schaefller and FAG are non existent for Nissan from what I can see. I’ve got the beginnings of a wheel bearing on my 18 rogue and has been for several thousand miles. I’ve been waiting for it to get worse because I can’t figure out if it’s left or right and shaking the wheels reveals nothing. It’s not getting worse so I may have to do both and am looking at WJB. Seems like they’re decent from what I’ve read on here.

 

[D1dad]

I just ordered Gsp for the front of my 18 rogue. Reviews seem good enough I guess and the weight of the bearing is more than BCA and SKF. I’ve got a slight hum and vibration as well as a slight pull, yet alignment is perfect. I have two sets of tires and rims that change nothing. I’ll do the right this week as I think that’s where it is. If that fixes it I’ve got a backup or if the oem left goes out I’ve got a spare for that side.