2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front hubs

[KBurgoyne]

Front wheel bearing is dying. Factory part looks discontinued. Anybody make a good one? Front wheel bearing/ hub, 95, 3500, 2wd.

 

[petersonj]

Have you tried Rock Auto?

- John

 

[GAmes]

Rock Auto has multiple brands available. I use Timken.

 

[GAmes]

double post

 

[KBurgoyne]

Thank you. That was one of the 99 brands available. Follow up. Since the steering sucks and im sure the bushings are torched...is there a good "upgrade package"? Since the hubs and rotors are one, i might end up doing both, and bushings ect. If theres a better setup might as well do it now.

 

[GAmes]

I think I got my hubs from NAPA, can't remember for sure. Be aware that as far as I know all aftermarket hubs that come with races and bearings that they will be Chinesium.

 

[KBurgoyne]

Thats what i was worried about. Im having a mobile mechanic do it since it will be a lot cheeper than buying tools i dont have. He is recommending i replace both sides because the hubs and rotors are one. One side is still right and tight, no play. I dont care which option costs more. I care which one lasts longer. Is it worth doing both and taking a risk on chinesium or keeping the original parts on one side?

 

[Ozymandias]

I see more and more great quality Chinese parts if I keep myself from buying cheap stuff. No matter if it is tools or parts, seems their manufacturing abilities have evolved big time.

You can't go wrong with Timken, SKF, Schaeffler (FAG), Koyo..

Replacing both sides at the same time is common, depends how much you drive the vehicle annualy or how much you depend on it.
The decision is yours.

 

[GAmes]

I'd only replace the hubs if the rotors are worn excessively or if you have ruined the one that needs bearings. I do recommend, if you don't replace the hubs, to replace the bearings and races of both hubs.

 

[KBurgoyne]

Mechanic uses SKF parts. Says he uses same brand on commercial stuff. Far as i know hubs are factory orginial. Ive had it for 15 years and they've never been replaced. Braking is getting pull to one sidey so might as well do it all.

 

[endoscott]

I did a deep dive a while back on bolts and some of these Taiwanese factories are state of the art. McMaster Carr only sells top shelf stuff and I'm sure they send engineers over there to look at the metallurgy and processes. Timken bearings are sourced from all over the world-maybe assembled here but it's not all "made" here. However, like McMaster Carr, they have high standards so would not accept crap and put their name on it.

 

[GAmes]

Mechanic uses SKF parts. Says he uses same brand on commercial stuff. Far as i know hubs are factory orginial. Ive had it for 15 years and they've never been replaced. Braking is getting pull to one sidey so might as well do it all.

So he brings them and sells them to you with a markup from his price or does he just recommend them? It's immaterial if they are factory original. If they are serviceable all they need, at the most, is bearings and races. If the existing bearing and races are still good all you need is a re-pack of the bearings.

 

[BigPapa]

Aren't we talking about Inner and Outer Wheel Bearings and Rotors or do the 2nd Gen RWD 3500's use hubs like a 4X4?

Lots of talk about "Hubs" in this thread....

 

[GAmes]

Aren't we talking about Inner and Outer Wheel Bearings and Rotors or do the 2nd Gen RWD 3500's use hubs like a 4X4?

Lots of talk about "Hubs" in this thread....

The hubs and rotors are one piece. Dang heavy too.

 

[Ozymandias]

The hubs and rotors are one piece. Dang heavy too.

That's new to me, thanks for that information.
So every time the rotors need replacement the hubs are part of it.
That is really a special way of building brake rotors so to say.

 

[BigPapa]

That's new to me, thanks for that information.
So every time the rotors need replacement the hubs are part of it.
That is really a special way of building brake rotors so to say.

That’s the way most all RWD vehicles USED to be. Some, like newer F-150’s, now use a hub like 4x4’s do. That way the knuckles, rotors, hubs, etc are the same for all of them.

I’ve just never heard them referred to as “hubs”, always just rotors and bearings.

 

[GAmes]

Technically they are rotor and hubs, but it's easier to just type hubs.

 

[Ozymandias]

Very unique way for European eyes, our hubs were always separated Form the brakes.

 

[BigPapa]