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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/2003 Wheel Bearings

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Expert: - 7/8/2005


Question
I was hearing a vibration and humming noise as I turned the wheel to the right.  I took it in to see what the problem was and I was told the wheel bearing was bent and it would cost $527.00 for parts and labor.  Does this seem excessive in price? He couldnt promise whether or not it was the wheel bearing until he took it apart?  Could it be something else?  

Answer
Vanessa,

Please, please go to another reputable shop and get another estimate.  You can, even call a few shops, and ask them what the cost would be to replace a front bearing for your vehicle.  First of all, bearings DO NOT BEND.  Bearings can go bad, and may give you some of the symptoms that you describe.  Many times when a bearing goes bad, you will hear a rumbling sound also.

The price quoted does sound excessive, but this can be due to the type of vehicle you have.  Some of the newer vehicles front bearings can cost up to $200 each, and if you replace both sides (if one is bad, both should be replaced) the labor may take up to a couple of hours at the most.  A good way to check the parts price, would be to call a local auto parts store, and have them look up your cost.  If you are going to a dealer for the repair, most times, the cost of the repair will be higher than going to a private mechanic.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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