jpfishmaster

I am preparing for front end work and am gonna replace the front hub bearing units while in it. Is there a major difference in brand. I see the Timken's for around $200 each and then what the local parts stores sell at a lesser price. Is there a major difference in how long any will last or in quality? Thanks

wcbcruzer

There is a difference in quality. I use Timken. That might even be the factory brand because that's what was on there when I replaced mine. Also, Rockauto.com usually has them for cheaper and you can probably find a 5-10% off coupon on google for them.

mini14

timken which which will be stamped skf which is the oem, anything else u run the risk of a chinese bearing (bca), which might or might not be low quaility.

jpfishmaster

Thanks for the input, I figured Timken was the only way to go for a direct replacement

dezeldog

The SKF bearing/hub assembly is a Sweedish made bearing and the OEM unit. The Timken is a great unit as well. HTH

Jim

shortie

although the factory doesn't condone it you can grease these hubs, simply remove the speed sensor and pump grease in them as someone turns the hub for you till it is full. do this every 50,000 or so and you will die of old age before the bearings fail have done this for years on dodge and gm trucks. we used to have frequent hub failures on and have had 0 failures since , some with over 300,000 miles on them.

pull-do

Somebody correct me if this is wrong,, my buddy says the bearings Auto Zone carries are Timken,,, maybe not in the hubs but he said they have the Timken bearings,,,,

I don't buy anything from Auto Zone but fluids or cleaners when I'm in a pinch, just don't care for their stuff, but unless these Timkens they carry are the "cheap run" of Timken they should be good stuff.

Anybody know for sure?

mini14

my timken hub sitting on garage floor is stamped skf which is oem, got it online last year for $195, the local autoparts wanted $600 for timken and $400 for chinese....my friend has had chinese on his for a year now with no prob, and it looked to be of good quality. I dont buy anything from chain autoparts store either.But if your unsure about auto zone im sure they would honor the warranty. changing a hub on a 3rd gen is quite easy and fast ala their not frozen.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/rafr...A590032-212379


idk, the timken could be made in china.

Hodge

I bought Timken unit bearings for my 94 at Autozone. Nothing wrong with what I got.

darkvader

How about some more on Shortie's idea of greasing them/
Clark

mini14

just dont over grease them, and dont break the abs sensor trying to removw it. their o ringed in. pulled my brand new one out and could see a good amount of grease in there. Typically when a hub is going to fail the grease seals leak once u c grease stains on the rim its a good sign of trouble ahead. greasing thru the abs hole is a good idea just dont grease them very often.

wcbcruzer

Autozone carries the Duralast brand ($100) and the more expensive Timken ($200). They have the genuine Timken part.