Wheel Bearing

[Nick1911]

I have a rear wheel bearing going out.  Car is FWD.

This is the 4th time.  In 20K miles.   

The passenger rear hub assembly has been replaced twice.  The drivers side rear has been replaced once, but is now going out again.

I can't think of any other problems that could cause wheel bearings to fail.  Perhaps the after market hub assemblies are defective?

Any ideas?  The part is lifetime warranty, but I'm getting really tired of changing them out.  I *can* do it in under an hour, now!

[charby]

Axle is out of round? Not tightening the king nut properly and too much play in the bearing causing it to fail early?

[Nick1911]

Axle is out of round?

Well, it's a rear wheel on a FWD.  So, the tapered shaft that the assembly mounts to is static - it doesn't rotate.  I don't understand the question, I guess?

Not tightening the king nut properly and too much play in the bearing causing it to fail early?

I'm following the listed torque spec in the repair manual.

[charby]

Well, it's a rear wheel on a FWD.  So, the tapered shaft that the assembly mounts to is static - it doesn't rotate.  I don't understand the question, I guess?

The bearing may slap around on it if it is out of round, causing it to fail sooner.

[charby]

I'm following the listed torque spec in the repair manual.

Are you over torquing it to seat the bearing then bringing it back to spec?

[Nick1911]

Are you over torquing it to seat the bearing then bringing it back to spec?

No.  That said, the part isn't just the bearing per say, it's the entire hub assembly.

The bearings are already pressed in, seated, and lubricated.

[Frank Castle]

Do you have stock rims or aftermarket rims on the car?

[Nick1911]

Stock.

[charby]

Have you thought about upgrading a more name brand part, like MOOG? When I replace parts that are a PITA to replace or failure can be crappy at best I get name brand auto parts, with lifetime or multi-year warranties.

[Mike]

Help the economy, buy a new car!

[zahc]

what kind of car is it?

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

you do any water crossings? salt or brackish water?  drive on beach?

[Nick1911]

what kind of car is it?

1992 Eagle Talon (It's a Mitsubishi Eclipse sister car)

Help the economy, buy a new car!

As a general rule, I don't spend more then $2000 on a car.  Preferably much, much less.  Unless the Chinese have a $2000 new car out...

Have you thought about upgrading a more name brand part, like MOOG? When I replace parts that are a PITA to replace or failure can be crappy at best I get name brand auto parts, with lifetime or multi-year warranties.

They weren't a bad brand to start with.  Bogg-Warner or some such.

you do any water crossings? salt or brackish water?  drive on beach?

Nope, just use it as a commute car.

[AJ Dual]

1992 Eagle Talon (It's a Mitsubishi Eclipse sister car)

As a general rule, I don't spend more then $2000 on a car.  Preferably much, much less.  Unless the Chinese have a $2000 new car out...

They weren't a bad brand to start with.  Bogg-Warner or some such.

Nope, just use it as a commute car.

I'm in agreement that somethings out of balance or whack, putting a repetitive stress on the bearing in a direction it's not designed to resist. I just don't know what.  Maybe switch your tires and any other swappable brake/suspension components around. See if it fails on another wheel this time. Also, how's the alignment, both thrust and direction? Does the car pull if you let the wheel go?

[coppertales]

Have you check the alignment?  If it is out of alignment, it could put stress on the bearings....chris3

[Jim147]

Since it's the right side I have to ask if your hitting any curbs?

If not do you have any of the compact car sized pot holes on the way to work?

It sounds like some kind of side pressure issue to keep going out.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

does your wife drive car?

[Nick1911]

I'm in agreement that somethings out of balance or whack, putting a repetitive stress on the bearing in a direction it's not designed to resist. I just don't know what.  Maybe switch your tires and any other swappable brake/suspension components around. See if it fails on another wheel this time. Also, how's the alignment, both thrust and direction? Does the car pull if you let the wheel go?

Doesn't pull either way.  I had the alignment done about a year ago.  Front drivers side tire *does* have slightly uneven wear (worn more on the outside then the inside), so there may be a bushing issue going on there.

Since it's the right side I have to ask if your hitting any curbs?

If not do you have any of the compact car sized pot holes on the way to work?

It sounds like some kind of side pressure issue to keep going out.

I mean, the roads aren't great here, but I don't think it's too abusive to the car.  I generally try to avoid potholes.  The only curb I hit was in the truck, and I chipped the concrete pretty good at that. 

does your wife drive car?

No.  She doesn't have any desire to learn to drive a standard (manual) transmission.

[coppertales]

When you had your alignment done, was is a four wheel alignment?

[Nick1911]

When you had your alignment done, was is a four wheel alignment?

I don't recall.  I'll have to dig up the paperwork.

[wmenorr67]

Grease could be an issue also.

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

Grease could be an issue also.

So John Travolta is the new APS scapegoat?

[wmenorr67]

So John Travolta is the new APS scapegoat?

No, then Grease would be the word.

[280plus]

Someone bleach my eyes please... 

 

 

[Parker Dean]

Are you sure it's not just a tire with a poor wear pattern? They can sound remarkably similar. It would be best to try one that is not from that car if you aren't absolutely certain it's the bearing due to free play, rough when rotated or something like that.

If it is definitely the bearing, I'd suggest a Mitsubishi hub then, or at least another brand but the Mitsubishi will probably be the best you could get for the application. IME, there's a reason aftermarket parts are cheaper and it ain't just 'cause of the name on the box