Replacing Front Wheel Bearings
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: West Wildwood NJ
Replacing Front Wheel Bearings
Looking for some advice. I was told by my mechanic that my 2001 C5 needs front wheel bearings, and the cost would be $869.00. I found Timkin wheel bearings for $369.00. Is $500 labor reasonable for this job? It's my first Corvette, and I will gladly spend the money if this is reasonable. Thanks for any advice. Charl
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,408
Likes: 1,595
From: Western NY
I prefer SKF bearings, and they run around $380, at least where I buy them. However, I think that $500 is pretty steep for the labor. I would think 2.5-3.0 hours would be an appropriate amount of time to do the job, and most shops charge $90-95/hr.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
From: Taylorsville North Carolina
I have changed my hub at the track in less than an hour, so yes it does seem a little steep.
If it is the first time caliper brackets and rotors have been off, that can take a little work and PB Blaster time.
If it is the first time caliper brackets and rotors have been off, that can take a little work and PB Blaster time.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: West Wildwood NJ
Thanks for the info, I thought the price was a little over the top myself. I am curious when I touch base with him tomorrow what the cost will be with me supplying the bearings! They are probably trying to knock me up over the parts and labor!! At least I can eliminate one of them!! Sure wish I had the mechanical aptitude to do this myself!!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Havasu, AZ
Ps
Thanks for the info, I thought the price was a little over the top myself. I am curious when I touch base with him tomorrow what the cost will be with me supplying the bearings! They are probably trying to knock me up over the parts and labor!! At least I can eliminate one of them!! Sure wish I had the mechanical aptitude to do this myself!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I don't know about these brands, but there are new ones pretty cheap at Amazon $48 shipped and another for $65 +$10 shipping. I just did a quick google search and came up with these.
I used one of the cheap ones on a rear '94 one and it held up for 15k or 20k and was still good when I sold the car. I used the cheap one after I used the local parts store one for triple the price and that only lasted about 10K.
Good luck.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...ssembly+513139
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...aring+Assembly
I used one of the cheap ones on a rear '94 one and it held up for 15k or 20k and was still good when I sold the car. I used the cheap one after I used the local parts store one for triple the price and that only lasted about 10K.
Good luck.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...ssembly+513139
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...aring+Assembly
Last edited by QCVette; Mar 28, 2013 at 11:13 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
PLEASE tell us WHY,,,,,,,,,,,, you think you need new wheel bearings (They are really HUB ASSEMBLIES)???
Ive see theses last well past 100,000 miles. Unless he can show you that the bub has excessive bearing slop, or the Wheel Speed Sensor electrical pig tail is ripped out, I woule re-view the need for new wheel bearings!!
Dont get me wrong. They may actually be bad but, seems like your getting the sharp end of the stick real deep!
Try this. Jack up one wheel. Grab the tire at the 6 oclock & 12 oclock position and push/pull inward and outward on the on the top and bottom of the wheel wheel.
You should see/feel little or no slop or lost motion if the bearings are good.
When you turn the car slightly LEFT and slightly RIGHT driving straight down the road, do you hear any roaring noises.. If NO, your good!
Bill
Ive see theses last well past 100,000 miles. Unless he can show you that the bub has excessive bearing slop, or the Wheel Speed Sensor electrical pig tail is ripped out, I woule re-view the need for new wheel bearings!!
Dont get me wrong. They may actually be bad but, seems like your getting the sharp end of the stick real deep!
Try this. Jack up one wheel. Grab the tire at the 6 oclock & 12 oclock position and push/pull inward and outward on the on the top and bottom of the wheel wheel.
You should see/feel little or no slop or lost motion if the bearings are good.
When you turn the car slightly LEFT and slightly RIGHT driving straight down the road, do you hear any roaring noises.. If NO, your good!
Bill
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,768
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
I apologize to the OP for the slight detraction from his thread...
Bill, this might be a stupid question, and I believe it probably is, but do the bearings in those ever need to be rapacked as we used to do to our old 70's muscle cars? Reason I'm asking is that I'm hearing a squeaking sound from the front wheel area and that used to be a sure indication of a need to repack the bearings.
Bill, this might be a stupid question, and I believe it probably is, but do the bearings in those ever need to be rapacked as we used to do to our old 70's muscle cars? Reason I'm asking is that I'm hearing a squeaking sound from the front wheel area and that used to be a sure indication of a need to repack the bearings.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 17
From: Near Jacksonville Fl.
I apologize to the OP for the slight detraction from his thread...
Bill, this might be a stupid question, and I believe it probably is, but do the bearings in those ever need to be rapacked as we used to do to our old 70's muscle cars? Reason I'm asking is that I'm hearing a squeaking sound from the front wheel area and that used to be a sure indication of a need to repack the bearings.
Bill, this might be a stupid question, and I believe it probably is, but do the bearings in those ever need to be rapacked as we used to do to our old 70's muscle cars? Reason I'm asking is that I'm hearing a squeaking sound from the front wheel area and that used to be a sure indication of a need to repack the bearings.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The HUB is a sealed unit and the bearings are non serviceable.I have taken the hub apart in a press BUT,,, you would have a difficult time finding the seals and ball bearings (not contained in a metal race) if any of that is damaged.
If you have a bearing issue, it requires a new HUB.
NOTE!! However,,,, IF,, you have a Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) issue, that blue sensor cap will come off and all the stuff in it is serviceable. Its nothing more than a small coil of wire wrapped around a plastic form. The electrical wheel Speed Sensor part of the HUB is just about BULLET PROOF!
So,,,,,,, If someone says you need a new hub assy because of the WSS,, I call BS. Is most likely a poor electrical connection in the female connectors in the system. Specifically the front jumper harness or female pins in the main harness connectors.
Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I apologize to the OP for the slight detraction from his thread...
Bill, this might be a stupid question, and I believe it probably is, but do the bearings in those ever need to be rapacked as we used to do to our old 70's muscle cars? Reason I'm asking is that I'm hearing a squeaking sound from the front wheel area and that used to be a sure indication of a need to repack the bearings.
Bill, this might be a stupid question, and I believe it probably is, but do the bearings in those ever need to be rapacked as we used to do to our old 70's muscle cars? Reason I'm asking is that I'm hearing a squeaking sound from the front wheel area and that used to be a sure indication of a need to repack the bearings.
I would carefully check the BRAKES before I would blame it on a wheel HUB!
When you hear the noise, slightly move the steering wheel LEFT and RIGHT and see if the noise changes. then slightly apply the brakes and see what happens. Then pull up slightly on the E brake and see if it changes.
The rear hubs have a an OUTPUT SHAFT NUT that secures the half shaft to the rear hub. If that splined output shaft is rusty and the nut is loose,,, it will make noise. Check that out
Rr Drive Axle Spindle Nut 160 N·m 118 lb ft Same for the left side
BC
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Your mechanic is almost certainly taking you for a ride.
1. The labor charge is ridiculous. These hubs can be swapped in well under an hour per side. (this alone would make me look for a diff. shop because he's either incompetent or trying to fleece you)
2. Wheel bearings don't wear out on a schedule. They might go out in 20,000 or 200,000 miles. And there's no reason to replace both if one side is bad.
3. Wheel bearings typically give you a LOT of warning signs when they go bad. Were you getting any howling noise from a front corner at speed? Any popping when making low speed turns? Is there play in the wheel when you jack the car up?
4. Timken makes good stuff. I hope that price you quoted was for 2x though, because Rockauto has Timken C5 front wheel bearings for $152.
1. The labor charge is ridiculous. These hubs can be swapped in well under an hour per side. (this alone would make me look for a diff. shop because he's either incompetent or trying to fleece you)
2. Wheel bearings don't wear out on a schedule. They might go out in 20,000 or 200,000 miles. And there's no reason to replace both if one side is bad.
3. Wheel bearings typically give you a LOT of warning signs when they go bad. Were you getting any howling noise from a front corner at speed? Any popping when making low speed turns? Is there play in the wheel when you jack the car up?
4. Timken makes good stuff. I hope that price you quoted was for 2x though, because Rockauto has Timken C5 front wheel bearings for $152.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
