SKF bearing comparison
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 316
Likes: 21
From: Michigan
SKF bearing comparison
Is there that much difference to justifying the price difference between these two?
AFE Control PFADT Series SKF Performance Wheel Bearing (97-08 Corvette C5 & C6)
Item CV11720
$517.05 (1pc each, description says 2 per box)
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________
SKF Bearings Wheel Bearing and Hub Assemblies for 1997-2008 CORVETTE, 2004-2008 XLR - BR930099
Part Number: SKF-BR930099
$107.99 (1pc each)
I do not have a dedicated track car, although I track when I can. Honestly, mostly highway, very, very spirited driving when I can (I have a few back roads near me that are very fun). Tail of the Dragon and the Triangle every year with a few passes each.
AFE Control PFADT Series SKF Performance Wheel Bearing (97-08 Corvette C5 & C6)
Item CV11720
$517.05 (1pc each, description says 2 per box)
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________
SKF Bearings Wheel Bearing and Hub Assemblies for 1997-2008 CORVETTE, 2004-2008 XLR - BR930099
Part Number: SKF-BR930099
$107.99 (1pc each)
I do not have a dedicated track car, although I track when I can. Honestly, mostly highway, very, very spirited driving when I can (I have a few back roads near me that are very fun). Tail of the Dragon and the Triangle every year with a few passes each.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,577
Likes: 7,254
From: CT
X-Tracker vs base?
I'm not the one with all the input on these but the gyst of it is that the X-tracker survives a lot more abuse from racing slicks and heavy braking without having to be replaced for a longer period of time.
I have seen some racers argue that the X-tracker is a must for the rear but that a lesser piece can be used in the front for track cars.
For a street car I don't believe it will be necessary. We're just not abusing the car as hard or for nearly as consistently long as on a track no matter how aggressive we think we are being.
I'm not the one with all the input on these but the gyst of it is that the X-tracker survives a lot more abuse from racing slicks and heavy braking without having to be replaced for a longer period of time.
I have seen some racers argue that the X-tracker is a must for the rear but that a lesser piece can be used in the front for track cars.
For a street car I don't believe it will be necessary. We're just not abusing the car as hard or for nearly as consistently long as on a track no matter how aggressive we think we are being.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 2,033
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Is there that much difference to justifying the price difference between these two?
AFE Control PFADT Series SKF Performance Wheel Bearing (97-08 Corvette C5 & C6)
Item CV11720
$517.05 (1pc each, description says 2 per box)
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________
SKF Bearings Wheel Bearing and Hub Assemblies for 1997-2008 CORVETTE, 2004-2008 XLR - BR930099
Part Number: SKF-BR930099
$107.99 (1pc each)
I do not have a dedicated track car, although I track when I can. Honestly, mostly highway, very, very spirited driving when I can (I have a few back roads near me that are very fun). Tail of the Dragon and the Triangle every year with a few passes each.
AFE Control PFADT Series SKF Performance Wheel Bearing (97-08 Corvette C5 & C6)
Item CV11720
$517.05 (1pc each, description says 2 per box)
________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________
SKF Bearings Wheel Bearing and Hub Assemblies for 1997-2008 CORVETTE, 2004-2008 XLR - BR930099
Part Number: SKF-BR930099
$107.99 (1pc each)
I do not have a dedicated track car, although I track when I can. Honestly, mostly highway, very, very spirited driving when I can (I have a few back roads near me that are very fun). Tail of the Dragon and the Triangle every year with a few passes each.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 893
Likes: 986
From: NW Burbs of Chi-Town
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
That was going to be bearings I get when the time comes. Been looking at your suspension upgrades with great interest. Everything rubber is 25 years old now, like the control arm bushings...I have the SPI site bookmarked for when it is time. I still need to do my spring Corvette inspection to look, listen and feel how things look in the suspension/bearings. The Bearings are on sale and have 153 bearings in stock. Made in Wauconda, ILL, which is right up the road from my work.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 2,033
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I am very curious the change from 129.000 miles OEM parts to all new/upgraded parts as well. It does eliminate seeing a single item improvement however everything I replaced was on it's last legs. I am on the hunt for another rear sway bar, I have been informed running a 305 rear tire and a Z06 C6 rear bar could result in an oversteer surprise.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 22
From: Georgia
Very much concur with the suggestion that you look into MPI bearings. They are absolutely much better built, definitely more robust than stock or stock equivalent bearings. My conversations with the people at MPI and their guarantee that they’d last through many seasons on the track was enough to sway me away from the X-Trackers at twice the price.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 316
Likes: 21
From: Michigan
I looked into them, I've seen reviews where they do not last as long and have leaked.
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Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,577
Likes: 7,254
From: CT
Mpi was the one suggested for the fronts for track cars trying to pinch a penny. The general concensus among those driving hard is that the x-trackers pay for themselves in that environment. Mpi is presumably a great upgrade for street cars, though for street cars there is no need for more than a well made Delco gold series replacement.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 2,033
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
That is my understanding as well. Why I think they are a good in between for someone like me. I don't regularly track the car, 4 times a year maybe OTD. Nothing competitive. I DO drive pretty aggressively in the bends when reasonable and the car will have a LOT more power and a manual in the near future.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 640
Likes: 340
From: San Jose CA
I'll never use anything but the X-Tracker again, everything else fails in pretty short order. The first time I did bearings I didn't listen to folks, ended up doing them again in under 10K miles on a street car.
I'lll let the good people at DRM explain what makes them special
https://www.dougrippie.com/97-08-skf...wheel-bearings
I'lll let the good people at DRM explain what makes them special
https://www.dougrippie.com/97-08-skf...wheel-bearings
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 146
Likes: 98
From: Connecticut
Summarizing my interpretation of the review from another driver who has a few dozen HPDE events on the MPI, not me, I havent tried them yet:
The MPI is better than stock, not yet better than SKF, but they're working on it.
If there is an issue/defect with an MPI bearing, they are responsive and send out replace bearings right away.
Some are running MPI in the rear to save costs, and either still testing MPI on the front, or staying with SKF on the front.
The MPI is better than stock, not yet better than SKF, but they're working on it.
If there is an issue/defect with an MPI bearing, they are responsive and send out replace bearings right away.
Some are running MPI in the rear to save costs, and either still testing MPI on the front, or staying with SKF on the front.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,577
Likes: 7,254
From: CT
Maybe I had the ends reversed then.
If MPI warranties and replaces their bearings.... then the temptation if I were in the market would be to buy 5. If you manage to kill one, you slap the spare in and wait on the replacement. Always keeping a replacement par of 1. That's how I'd roll if I were a track junky trying to save money and time.
$170 vs $405 each
If MPI warranties and replaces their bearings.... then the temptation if I were in the market would be to buy 5. If you manage to kill one, you slap the spare in and wait on the replacement. Always keeping a replacement par of 1. That's how I'd roll if I were a track junky trying to save money and time.
$170 vs $405 each
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 815
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From: Miami, Fl
New
Original
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: South Carolina
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 815
Likes: 533
From: Miami, Fl
Unsure if the part numbers were updated
Too early to tell - I only have about 5 or 6 sessions on these hubs as my last 2 track days have been cut short due to unrelated failures. My ABS codes and traction control issues haven't made a comeback, so that's a plus.
Too early to tell - I only have about 5 or 6 sessions on these hubs as my last 2 track days have been cut short due to unrelated failures. My ABS codes and traction control issues haven't made a comeback, so that's a plus.