Thread: going on 4th Wheel Bearing

Ok heres the thing,
I'm on my2nd replacement now needing 3rd hub replacement.

What is happening is #1 abs starts off fine some days then once i get past 25-30 it sets off the light. If i leave trac off i start get the low traction light. This can happen when backing out my driveway. When it wants to work it works fine but as soon as i get it on the highway its done.

#2 I am getting a grinding noise from the front left side this is the hub that has always been replaced. If i am going straight its loud. if i slightly turn my wheel when driving it goes away.

Things is is this things are not cheap. So far all my replacements have been from local salvage yards @ about 35 buxs a pop and a place to install it for 45.

Should i bite the bullet and spend 150 on a good new bearing or hit up another salvage yard.

Now i did find a hub for 100 buxs at autozone made by dynapro. So far what i read up on this that is a bad brand.

Anyone having same problems?

Im thinking you got something else going on if you are going through that many hubs. But to answer you directly, I would go ahead and spend the money on a quality hub since you are fast approaching the cost of one. I dont know what your access to tools and room to do the work is, but replacing a hub is really easy, you shouldnt pay $45 to have it replaced. Heck, give me some notice and drive up to my place and I'll replace it for ya.

On another note, what salvage yard are you going to in Tulsa? I need to go to a U-Pull, U-save yard and shop around for some goodies..

Originally Posted by Toasty

obviously if you're hearing bearing noise, that's a good sign that the hub is bad..

however, if you're just getting the ABS light, you should have the code checked. i have the light coming on in my regal, intermittently. originally thought it was the hub, but there is an intermittent short/break in the short extension harness that runs from the frame down to the hub.

i would most certainly agree you should have it checked. could save you alot of money.

Personally I would get a used one from Ed. He makes sure the units he sells are low mileage and give them a warranty. 1½ years ago, I bought a new NAPA USA made wheel bearing for over $140 and it just went bad. I can buy almost 4 used wheel bearings for that price and they will last twice as long. Its not worth it to buy new. Just get a used one from Ed. (email him at GTPED@MSN.com)

Originally Posted by archemedes

don't buy the napa overpriced ones. $100 for one from advance or oreilleys. I bought a used one for my truck that lasted me exactly 31 days with a 30 day warranty. To OP do you like to do spirited driving around corners? That will cause bearing or cv failure fairly quickly

I was stuck at the time. I had a trip I had to go on for something, can't remember now. And the only place in town that I could get one at was NAPA. I auctually got it a little cheaper because the guy gave me garage price. But I won't get one of those ever again.....OEM is the only way to go in my book.

I have only bought them from Napa and never had a problem with them, you get what you pay for on these for sure. One of the shops I used to work at would get cheaper bearings from another local parts store and they sold Timken bearings and on multiple w-body cars they were junk and I couldnt believe it. What made it worse was that it generally would get rid of one noise and a new one would sprout up that you would never think had anything to do with a wheel bearing but thats what it was. We have a local store called Ridge that sells Napa parts but is much cheaper than going into Napa as joe-blow as they like to rape you on price! I have been down the used road before and will never do it again nor suggest it to anyone unless you personally road in the car the bearing came out of and it was quiet. If you must save $50 you need to decide how many times you want to replace it and how much down time you can have if the used part is bad, and the next one is bad, and the next one lol.

That linky is brokey.

I just installed a set thinking the "thumping" noise was coming from my hub. I bought them from Advance Auto Parts...The manager is a friend and sold it to me for $133.00 each (National Bearing)...They normally retail for $177...He told me that these were high end bearings and had the metal clip for the ABS sensor instead of the plastic one from GM...Another $30 dollars and I could have bought OEM but I know that GM does not make their bearing...I am thinking, National, Timken etc..

Back to my "thumping" noise...Well, it has to come from the axles...Can't figure out which side as it almost sound like both...

Originally Posted by Toasty

please explain this thumping (though may be best to do in another thread)

Ok...I can start a new thread...thanks.

I have 2 of these on my GT for over a year with no problems...

eBay Motors: 97 98 99 00 Pontiac GRAND PRIX WHEEL HUB bearing - NEW (item 300227239786 end time May-29-08 15:35:08 PDT)

Don't know the brand, but this one has a Lifetime warranty:

ZZ Performance

Anyone having this many ABS issues should look at the front harness wiring. It's known to crack internally with all the turning of the front wheels (and can't be detected from the outside since the insulation isn't damaged). Need a multimeter to shoot the wires and check continuity.