Grrr....Cheap Wheel Hub Woes

[sciphi]

Back in December 2010 I installed a cheap wheel hub on the Buick's front passenger wheel since it was the only one available locally to replace a bad OEM one. That one went bad in 3 months, so I had to re-do it. The part was warrantied out just fine. Now, 2 months later, the replacement to the replacement is growling. The much more expensive replacement on the other side is doing just fine, knock on wood. So I'll have to do the 4th wheel hub job in 6 months on this car. (1 driver's side, 2 passenger side, and the 1 upcoming passenger side replacement). It's not too bad a job that I don't mind doing, but it's still very annoying to have to replace these parts over and over. Some of you folks warned me this was going to happen back then, and it's happening.

I'm going to ask for a free upgrade to the higher-priced replacement to compensate for my time/effort in having to warranty this part twice in 6 months. That seems fair to me.

Moral of the story: When buying a cheap white-box wheel hub, the purchase price is the only savings realized. The time/effort spent replacing the cheapy over and over balance out the higher purchase price of the name-brand one.

 

[SLCraig]

In my experiences, this could be a "welcome to GM" moment.
I've never had any trouble with hubs or bearings on any car I've ever owned except for my GMs.

What are the good vs cheap brands in question in your experiences so far?

 

[Trav]

This seems to be really common with GM cars.
I replaced all 4 at the same time with SKF, from reading about what others are running Timken seems very good also.

SKF rates theirs for 100K+ life expectancy and are made in the U.S. The top shelf brands are not cheap but after reading your experience they really might be the best bargain.

 

[sciphi]

"National" brand (made in Korea) in a printed box is the more expensive one that's lasted. The NTP white box from China is the cheapy that's failed repeatedly. Both were from Advance. The National was $50 more. It's looking like $50 well-spent.

I seem to have horrible luck with wheel bearings on my cars. My old Hyundai also had wheel bearings go out.

 

[mechtech2]

There may also be installation error, or a bad seat.
Just a thought.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
There may also be installation error, or a bad seat.
Just a thought.


Well, I installed all the hubs, torqued everything (including the axle nut) to the right specs using a torque wrench, and cleaned up everything on the knuckle nicely on all the previous installations. The same tools/methods were used on the hubs on both sides of the car. The other side is still fine. The new hubs all slid into the knuckle nicely with the help of some anti-seize. I'm not sure what else there was to go wrong, although it's entirely possible that there's a little step somewhere that I've managed to miss on 3 previous installations.

 

[Trav]

It sound like you did it right.
My guess its just bum parts, from reading at the Grand Prix Forum it seems like this is a common problem with cheap white box hubs.

 

[Stu_Rock]

Be thankful that this is a fairly easy job.

In my old Century wagon (which uses the exact same part as a 1999 LeSabre), I had to replace both hub/bearing assemblies because of ABS sensor failures. On one side I used SKF; on the other side I used Federal-Mogul/BCA-National. Both lasted until I sold the car years later.

 

[sciphi]

It is pretty easy after having done it a few times.

I'm guessing it's a bum part. Oh well, I got what I paid for. Now I get to eat the difference between this one and the more expensive one. I'll gladly pay another $40-50 for the pricier hub to not do this job every quarter.

 

[Merkava_4]

What's the brand name of the cheap hub and what's the brand name of the expensive hub?

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
What's the brand name of the cheap hub and what's the brand name of the expensive hub?
Originally Posted By: sciphi
"National" brand (made in Korea) in a printed box is the more expensive one that's lasted. The NTP white box from China is the cheapy that's failed repeatedly.

 

[exranger06]

I always buy the better quality parts even if they're way more expensive. I find it's much cheaper and easier on me in the long run.

 

[sciphi]

Got the new one installed. It was another National. The box said "Made in the USA" this time around.

 

[Papa Bear]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Got the new one installed. It was another National. The box said "Made in the USA" this time around.


You certainly got a good box then .....

PM sent

 

[Billbert]

Stay far far away from Chinese bearings, unless you like doing the job over again

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Got the new one installed. It was another National. The box said "Made in the USA" this time around.


The Nationals I had installed in my Saturns always worked. I think probably my favorite brand in my experiences.

 

[sciphi]

It works. I might have over-paid. But for (hopefully) not having to re-do it soon, it's worth it to me.

The old bearing made lots of noise when turned by hand.

 

[PF52]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
In my experiences, this could be a "welcome to GM" moment.


In our family, it was the Fords that always needed new wheel bearings (and transmissions, but that's the subject for another thread).

But yes, buy the good bearings. I find the Timkens readily available, made in USA and I've never had to replace one twice.