mysterfixit

Hi All,

I have recently discovered that my driver side wheel needs a bearing. Can someone tell what all I need to get the job done right the first time. I called the guy who does my wheel alignment and he told me the wheel takes two bearings and for him to do the job would be about $300 and some change. I thought my SE only took one bearing. If someone could set me straight I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

the flesh

Its easy.

1) Take apart the entire wheel hub assmebly. Remove the hub from the car. (I belive you will need a ball joint separator, but I don't recall for sure)

2) Buy a new wheel bearing kit (just one) $40.

3) Locate a machine shop. They will remove, replace and regrease the hub.$25?

4) Install bright shiny new part.

5) Drive as normal (don't forget to buckle up)

6) Consider getting an alignment very soon. It's like prozac for your car.

mysterfixit

Thank you for the info and quick reply. I think I'm gonna find someone else to do my wheel alignments from now on. From what you describe that doesn't sound like a $300 job to me.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

pressing the whele bearing out and in is a pretty major job- you need a hydraulic press (step #3 above)..

You will also need a new wheel hub, which is about $130. when our wheel bearings fail, 95% of the time, they ruin the whele hub too. If you replace the bearing and don't replace the hub, your new bearing (and all that work) will be ruined in just a short time.

Prices for parts:
wheel bearing, $40-45
dust seal, (2 req'd) $12 each
wheel hub, $135

That's $205 for parts, and $100 in labor sounds about right. it takes about an hour and a half for a shop to do it for you. plan to pay the machine shop $20-50 for them to press apart the old spindle and install the new hub and wheel bearing.