Sounds like a waste of time and money
Cheaper Rear Wheel Bearings
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 807
Likes: 21
From: Los Altos CA
Cheaper Rear Wheel Bearings
I intend to replace both rear wheel bearings on my 2000 C5. On the market are Timken bearings at about $190 each and some cheaper bearings at closer to $65 each. I would guess that the cheaper ones are made in China.
Has anyone used the cheaper bearings and did you see any problems with them?
I am looking for info on the cheaper bearings, not advice on which to choose.
Thanks
Has anyone used the cheaper bearings and did you see any problems with them?
I am looking for info on the cheaper bearings, not advice on which to choose.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 4
From: cinnaminson n.j.
St. Jude Donor '14
I have used them before and got bit in the butt! I won't use them on anything other than an old beater with not much life expectancy.
They are trouble. Please don't use them in your vette.
My $.02
They are trouble. Please don't use them in your vette.
My $.02
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Richmond BC
I stopped buying offshore parts long ago after I replaced my tie rod ends (different car) and after one year one of them literally dropped off as I drove in the driveway. I had just got off the highway driving 100KMH +. When I spoke to another parts store buying another replacement, they told me alot of offshore manufacturers obtain old molds for parts that have been discarded because they are out of spec. My recommendation - be sure you know that you are buying a part that is from a reputable manufacturer, especially those that could become a safety issue if they failed, like a rear wheel bearing.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
I intend to replace both rear wheel bearings on my 2000 C5. On the market are Timken bearings at about $190 each and some cheaper bearings at closer to $65 each. I would guess that the cheaper ones are made in China.
Has anyone used the cheaper bearings and did you see any problems with them?
I am looking for info on the cheaper bearings, not advice on which to choose.
Thanks
Has anyone used the cheaper bearings and did you see any problems with them?
I am looking for info on the cheaper bearings, not advice on which to choose.
Thanks
The info is, you get what you pay for!!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,757
Likes: 1,215
From: Wisconsin
No experience with china wheel bearings on my vette, but on my blazer they lasted all of 10k miles and the bearing was howling worse than the factory one that lasted 100k miles. Timken second time around no problems. Not worth the work to replace it.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 13
From: Macomb Michigan
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Sorry, but my life is worth a helleva lot more than a questionable safety item.
The Big Guy !
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 136
Likes: 6
From: Lees Summit Missouri
I agree with the other guys, I replaced all four of my wheel bearings with
Timken. They did cost more than the cheaper alternatives and so far after about 30K miles I still do not have any issues. I track my car at HPDE events, where my suspension gets a lot of stress, and heat on the bearings. The Timken are holding up just fine.
Enjoy
Timken. They did cost more than the cheaper alternatives and so far after about 30K miles I still do not have any issues. I track my car at HPDE events, where my suspension gets a lot of stress, and heat on the bearings. The Timken are holding up just fine.
Enjoy
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
I may regret it later, but so far so good.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 807
Likes: 21
From: Los Altos CA
Thanks for all the info. The car is hardly new, 14 years old with 110K miles. I decided to get the GMB hubs from Amazon at $51 each. The reviews for GMB bearings were mostly positive. These will be made in the US, or Korea or Japan. GMB is a major Japanese parts maker.
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 740
Likes: 83
From: MN
GMB's wheel bearing and hub assemblies are made in China. Most of their other stuff is made in Japan and Korea. You're right that they're a major manufacturer with a fairly good reputation, however, you shouldn't use Chinese parts, and I can't recommend them to anyone.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
I could not have said it better ! 
I rebuilt my suspension a couple of years ago ( ball joints, tie rod ends, etc, etc ) and I could have gone the cheaper route. Instead I purchased all Moog parts...expensive as all hell but I got peace of mind knowing that it's not gonna fall apart !
I rebuilt my suspension a couple of years ago ( ball joints, tie rod ends, etc, etc ) and I could have gone the cheaper route. Instead I purchased all Moog parts...expensive as all hell but I got peace of mind knowing that it's not gonna fall apart !
Last edited by SG Lou; Sep 26, 2014 at 11:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I intend to replace both rear wheel bearings on my 2000 C5. On the market are Timken bearings at about $190 each and some cheaper bearings at closer to $65 each. I would guess that the cheaper ones are made in China.
Has anyone used the cheaper bearings and did you see any problems with them?
I am looking for info on the cheaper bearings, not advice on which to choose.
Thanks
Has anyone used the cheaper bearings and did you see any problems with them?
I am looking for info on the cheaper bearings, not advice on which to choose.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
A few years ago on my C4 I went with ones from a local chain parts store at about $190 each. They failed in under 20k miles. I went cheap on the next set for about $45 each and when I sold the car about 20k miles later they were still good.
On another C4 I found a closeout on rear bearings for $25 each and decided to try them. My originals were bad on a 40k mile car. When I got the cheap ones they said Made in USA on both the box and stamped on the parts. I put them in and they are fine, although very few miles on them yet.
I think you take your chances on getting a good set from whichever brand you get. Questionable quality control and outsourcing make it tough to make sure you get a good part now regardless of price.
Good luck.
On another C4 I found a closeout on rear bearings for $25 each and decided to try them. My originals were bad on a 40k mile car. When I got the cheap ones they said Made in USA on both the box and stamped on the parts. I put them in and they are fine, although very few miles on them yet.
I think you take your chances on getting a good set from whichever brand you get. Questionable quality control and outsourcing make it tough to make sure you get a good part now regardless of price.
Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Davison Michigan
Just ordered my moog wheel bearings today from advance auto. Only bought 1 because you get 15% off plus a 25 gift card. Once I get the gift card I'll order another. $143 shipped. Today is the last day for the special.