wheel bearing issues Options

[dominoslave]

For some reason i keep burning through wheel bearings on my front passenger side. Here's a timeline of the issues replaced:

October 12' - Replaced hub with junkyard hub/timkin bearing/seal kit, reused the steering knuckle that came on my car.
January 13' - Replaced bearing and seals again and was advised to order in a new hub and to get a new steering knuckle (mine was in rough shape I guess)
Early March 13' - Used a new (junkyard) knuckle, new timkin bearing/seal kit, new oem hub, new lower ball joints (both sides), new tie-rod ends (both sides), front end alignment.

I've put maybe 1500 miles on my car since early march and the bearing is shot again. I'm at a loss trying to figure out what is the root cause of this.

Edit: I have a 1994 Celica GT (10/94) w/5 speed manual

This post has been edited by dominoslave: Mar 25, 2013 - 6:22 PM

[ziga15]

hi. Sad to hear for your problems ,but i can say that i had the same problems, i had to buy 2 front hubs each costing me 170 euros + 70 for the bearing:/ that solved mine problems with front setup. I must say tis might be problem if your car was realy driwen bad(bad roads etc..) hope u solve your problem:/

[rave2n]

Are you running any spacers? Some large rims? Or just OEM?

I would suggest buying a new wheel hub, actual new. Well I'm confused by your post...what was the used "knuckle"?

Also, you may be over tightening the axle nut, and binding the wheel hub & bearing.

This post has been edited by rave2n: Mar 26, 2013 - 9:21 AM

[dominoslave]

Just to clear things up, in October I went to a junkyard and bought a hub/steering knuckle assembly. At the time I only used the hub and saved the steering knuckle as a spare. It wasn't until early march that I pulled the steering knuckle from spare status and put it on my car when I had purchased a brand new wheel hub as well as new bearing, tie-rod end and lower ball joint. The car came with 18x8 +41 offset wheels, I pulled them off for the winter and installed 16" MKIII jetta wheels (which are currently installed and have been since November). I've never ran hub spacers. The 1st 2 times I replaced the bearing, I had just tightened the axle nut until i figured it was tight. The 3rd time i tightened it to 137ft-lbs which i had found at http://www.torkspec.com/torkspecmm.aspx?KI=504. And as for driving style, I deliver pizzas and this is my daily driver. I drive 600-800 miles a week. I work in downtown Minneapolis, the roads are complete ****. But that brings me back to square one as to why only this bearing has been burning out, and only this bearing none of the others. Thanks for the replys guys, sorry for the wall of text.

[jordisonjr]

I've had the same issue with mine.
Replaced a front bearing probalby 3 times, basically once a year. Although I didn't replace the hub or anything else.
This time around I replaced the hub, and hopefully that has solved the problem. So for so good.

[rave2n]

Hmm the only thing I can think of at this point is the bearing and new wheel hub pressing went poorly.

Or you need a new wheel assembly for the bearing to rest into. I'm assuming if enough time went by with bad bearings there could be damage to the bearing recess itself, causing unwanted movement in just that location.

[dominoslave]

That was the 1st thing that CarQuest said when i called them up to ask about the press job they did. Gonna tear things down again and bring it up to them and have them take a look at it.

[soulshadow]

Hmm the only thing I can think of at this point is the bearing and new wheel hub pressing went poorly.

Or you need a new wheel assembly for the bearing to rest into. I'm assuming if enough time went by with bad bearings there could be damage to the bearing recess itself, causing unwanted movement in just that location.

I would second that!

Best way to tell is to wobble the hub when everything is all pressed in. Any noise or movement is usually the result of poor installation

[Bitter]

Not being torqued to spec?

[eman2492]

most likely user error

[rave2n]

Not being torqued to spec?

First 2 times he did it, yes it was out of spec.

The 3rd time everything was done correctly, and the bearing failed.

[Bitter]

What was it torqued to?

[rave2n]

Just to clear things up, in October I went to a junkyard and bought a hub/steering knuckle assembly. At the time I only used the hub and saved the steering knuckle as a spare. It wasn't until early march that I pulled the steering knuckle from spare status and put it on my car when I had purchased a brand new wheel hub as well as new bearing, tie-rod end and lower ball joint. The car came with 18x8 +41 offset wheels, I pulled them off for the winter and installed 16" MKIII jetta wheels (which are currently installed and have been since November). I've never ran hub spacers. The 1st 2 times I replaced the bearing, I had just tightened the axle nut until i figured it was tight. The 3rd time i tightened it to 137ft-lbs which i had found at http://www.torkspec.com/torkspecmm.aspx?KI=504. And as for driving style, I deliver pizzas and this is my daily driver. I drive 600-800 miles a week. I work in downtown Minneapolis, the roads are complete ****. But that brings me back to square one as to why only this bearing has been burning out, and only this bearing none of the others. Thanks for the replys guys, sorry for the wall of text.

[dominoslave]

Figured I'd give a small update. Still haven't gotten a chance to pull things apart and get it looked at, been on 60+ hour work weeks. My best guess at this point is that my spare knuckle was bad also, or just a bad bearing/press job. Hopefully I'll get things tore down on Thursday and be able to give a better update.