Front wheel bearing dies at 87,000 miles

[magothy1]

I would have expected one to go further than that, but it died sure enough. It was making the slightest squeaking sound the week before, but it didn't sound as tho it was related to wheel speed, so I didn't think it was the wheel bearing. Dum dum me, I should have jacked it up and shook or wriggled the wheel. I was lucky enough to have it die at a friends place in NC where I went to pick up some cedar for closets, he's a logger and has a small mill, too. He took me to a little gas station in Goldston, NC, William Barber Automotive, very very nice folks, they jumped right on it. I was surprised they had to get the whole hub assembly, I would have thought it was a replaceable bearing, but not so. Ah well, live and learn, got the brakes done, too.

 

[MA2LA]

yup thats out wonderful wheel bearings. mine were done at 60k or so

 

[JCasper]

Uh Oh, I have 74K on mine.

 

[MMeier]

Uh Oh, I have 74K on mine.

How about 197k on mine. . and the original brake pads are still on it too! With all the heavy stuff I haul, pretty good in my book. Helps when I go almost 1000 miles without touching the brake pedal, like the other day on my OKC turn.

 

[MRosinski]

I'm suprised that they last as long as they do. At 65k I pulled my passenger side assembly into 2 pieces and was shocked to see almost no grease on the bearings Loaded it up with grease and glued it back togather. Well see which side lasts longer... .

 

[magothy1]

It is curious how much difference there is from one truck to the next. I forgot to say my truck's a 2003 3500, pretty stock, and I drive like a grandmother. I'm wondering if I ought to change the other one or hope for one of those hi mileage ones. I do know if I hear that little squeak noise it's coming off in a hurry.

 

[rbattelle]

Trawler, you forgot to say exactly what happened when the bearing failed. I can't imagine the wheel came off. Did it lock up?

If I were you, I'd go ahead and buy the other bearing as a spare. Just in case, you know?

Ryan

 

[MA2LA]

I will admit i'm hard on my truck, At times I drive it like a sports car and i drive in DC alot witch has some rough rough roads.

 

[buddys06]

My right side tire felt loose so I took it in, Dealer said the wheel bearing was as bad as he had ever seen. All with only 3000 miles. So far the only problem

 

[magothy1]

To answer Ryan, as I was driving up to my friend's place the noises got louder, but the truck never pulled or jerked as tho it was trying to lock up. We jacked it up and pulled the wheel, the disc and hub were hot. I drove it to the gas station. The fuel mileage was down a bit, for that tank, but I was pulling a trailer, too, so that had an effect.

 

[Bachant]

210,000 and no problems, did the front brakes at 195,000. Knock on wood.

 

[tpuig]

What did it sound like? I just turned 103k on mine, and there is a tapping/clicking noise from the left front. I jacked up the front and spun the wheel, and couldn't duplicate the noise. But when driving the noise slows and quickens with the speed of the truck. I'm on the original set of brakes as well. There is very very slight play in the wheel, and both sides are the same. Everything else looks and seems normal. I'm due for a service anyway, so this a good time for it to happen.

TP

 

[rbattelle]

I just turned 103k on mine, and there is a tapping/clicking noise from the left front.

Almost certainly the universal joint.

Ryan

 

[tpuig]

Yep, that thought had crossed my mind. Not sure whether to be happy or sad, since it sounds like the bearings aren't cheap...

Thanks

TP

 

[JApol]

My ABS light came on at 25K, STUPID me waited till the darn tire was about to fall off at about 30K to get it fixed.

It cost me $1250 to get both sides replaced. I could have bought a dynatrack kit for that and I still have the same crappy hub design.

 

[josh8811]

how are some of you guys killing the bearings so fast? My left wheel bearing is showing wear at 60k.

 

[JApol]

luck of the draw, It seems that some of the hubs got the correct/more amount of grease than the other ones and have lasted longer.