Bad wheel bearing!!!

[REW]

What could possibly be the problem that is causing my neighbors car - left front wheel bearing to fail after a short time.

He is now up to wheel bearing number 6.


On average, he is getting about two weeks and two hundred miles on this hub before it fails.

He has tried three different brands at three different price points and the failures continue.

In that vehicle brand and model - the typical front wheel bearing runs for about 140,000 miles between failures.

It just makes no sense. The bearings go in with out any issue. The vehicle was aligned perfectly, there isn't any issue with the front axle and CV joint - so what could be causing multiple bearings of different brands and prices to fail so quickly.

In my years of wrenching, I have never run across anything so unusual.

Be safe
REW

[yarcraft91]

Hate to ask, but are you certain he is installing the correct bearing and race?

[Fish_Heads]

Originally Posted by REW

What could possibly be the problem that is causing my neighbors car - left front wheel bearing to fail after a short time.

He is now up to wheel bearing number 6.


On average, he is getting about two weeks and two hundred miles on this hub before it fails.

He has tried three different brands at three different price points and the failures continue.

In that vehicle brand and model - the typical front wheel bearing runs for about 140,000 miles between failures.

It just makes no sense. The bearings go in with out any issue. The vehicle was aligned perfectly, there isn't any issue with the front axle and CV joint - so what could be causing multiple bearings of different brands and prices to fail so quickly.

In my years of wrenching, I have never run across anything so unusual.

Be safe
REW

Is he using a torque wrench to tighten the axle nut to the proper specs or just buzzing the axle nut tight with an impact gun ?

Over tightening with an air impact will put way too much preload on the bearings & cause them to fail.

Fish

[REW]

I watched him put in the last one, and it went in by the numbers. No issue at all.

This of course is a complete hub and bearing assembly that is being replaced.

The front axle nut is being correctly torqued to 175 foot lbs of torque.

The inner seal is correctly installed.

REW

Must be a Ford or Chev!!!!!!!!

[Leinie]

Originally Posted by Zendoola

Must be a Ford or Chev!!!!!!!!

My contribution to this thread is absolutely zilch, nada, nothing.
Somehow it seems worthwhile when compared to yours.

[TomP.]

How is the axle shaft it self? What vehicle is this on just for reference sake.

[vtec]

Only common denominator is same mechanic installing the bearings. Maybe try a different installer and see if results are different.

[ffishman]

Originally Posted by vtec

Only common denominator is same mechanic installing the bearings. Maybe try a different installer and see if results are different.

I may be in the minority but, I have installed tons of bearings. I have never used a torque wrench, and I have NEVER had one fail. My guess is they are over tight.

[Wall-i-Lama]

Originally Posted by REW

What could possibly be the problem that is causing my neighbors car - left front wheel bearing to fail after a short time.

He is now up to wheel bearing number 6.


On average, he is getting about two weeks and two hundred miles on this hub before it fails.

He has tried three different brands at three different price points and the failures continue.

In that vehicle brand and model - the typical front wheel bearing runs for about 140,000 miles between failures.

It just makes no sense. The bearings go in with out any issue. The vehicle was aligned perfectly, there isn't any issue with the front axle and CV joint - so what could be causing multiple bearings of different brands and prices to fail so quickly.

In my years of wrenching, I have never run across anything so unusual.

Be safe
REW

Way to tight! Once you torque them, then they must be set by backing off the nut. Here are some general procedures. I usually do it by seat of pants and back them off till the wheel spins nicely. In any case you can't leave them tourqued all the way down to 175...


http://www.ehow.com/info_8070187_tor...-bearings.html

or
http://www.timken.com/en-us/solution...ts/Vol1No5.pdf