As many of you know, I have very high mileage on my car. In a month or so, I hope to refresh/rebuild the suspension. I think I want to replace the front hub assemblies as opposed to just pressing in new bearings. I mean, don't you think there would be a fitment issue trying to install new bearings in hubs that have 282,xxx miles on them?
And why does it seem the front hub assemblies are a dealer only item?

 

do you mean you want to replace the steering knuckles? the bearings go inside the steering knuckle, not the hub. the hub goes inside the bearing.

I've purchased steering knuckles from junkyards before, but if you're searching specifically for the term hub, i think that's your problem right there. I can't imagine you'd find many hubs separate from their steering knuckle. that's kindof like trying to find a piston or a cam at a junkyard, they wouldn't separate that stuff out. they just keep the hubs with the steering knuckles.

PS. the steering knuckle is also referred to as the spindle by some people.

 

Ahh. I see. My bad then. Let me check for steering knuckles and see what I can come up with.
Thanks!

EDIT:
So every diagram I look at shows the hub and the steering knuckle. Courtesy's website appears to offer them separately. Even the FSM shows them as separate parts. So are you saying I should replace BOTH the knuckles and the hubs?
http://www.courtesyparts.com/betasit...1873_1874.html

 

The steering knuckle is not a wear item. If you need wheel bearings, just press in new bearings.

 

What people are saying is finding used HUBS is rare. The only time I have done that I bought a full used knuckle and used it's hub.

If you want to do it once and do it right. Press new hubs into new bearings and have the assembly pressed into the knuckle. You do not need a new knuckle unless it is bent or warped which would be indicated on an alignment.

The reason I urge new hubs as well is if the bearings are totally shot they wear the hub down and cause it not to fit as tight, or at all with the new bearing. I had this happen and had NO noise, just minor play.

worldpartsexpress.com

 

the hub and the steering knuckle are separate parts as I said. Just like a piston is a separate part from an engine block. but you won't be able to just go to a junkyard and buy a piston, you have to buy a whole engine if you want the piston. it is too time consuming and not worth it to junkyards to remove the hubs from the steering knuckles just like it's not worth it for them to remove the pistons from an engine.

whoever you have replacing your wheel bearing should be able to tell you if the hub is worn or not - if the wheel bearing got bad enough then the hub could be ruined. just have to inspect it and see. or you could buy a new set of hubs and just replace them - but the only way you are going to find used hubs is inside a used steering knuckle.

 

 

Thanks for the responses from all of you.
I guess I should have made it clearer that I was just asking about pressing new bearings in as that seems to be the popular choice on the board and how y'all felt about doing that with high mileage components.
Fr33way pretty much told me what I needed to know. I DID say I was leaning to purchasing new components.

 

Looking at it now that makes sense. I never understood why the hub is such a bastard to get ahold of. Hondas/Acuras/300ZXs and 240s all have aftermarket hubs.

 

I have some skill but am i able to do the hub/knuckle replacement myself? or should i leave it up to a mechanic?

 

Pulling the knuckle you can do but unless you have a press you arent going to be able to press in the new bearing.

 

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