Repeated wheel bearing failure?

[ChrisBuckle]

I have a 98 a4 quattro sedan 2.8L. Getting ready to change the same rear driver's side wheel bearing for the 3rd time in 2yrs. Different shops did the first two, same AutoZone DuraLast wheel bearings. Any idea what may be causing these to fail so frequently?

[seanf86]

What brand is the duralast bearing? Chinese made stuff doesn't last long.

[Turbo_B5]

My VW/Audi Specialty shop uses F.A.G. bearings. That's what I will be using when the time comes.

[ChrisBuckle]

http://m.autozone.com/autozone-mobil...hhgcn?id=95363

[redline380]

I have used F A G as well, but not too impressed. Think I am going SKF next time, or National. I put a Moog (National) in the rear last time. I have high hope for it.

But b5's eat through wheel bearings no matter what. Using junk bearings doesnt help the situation

[Bordom]

Make sure your hub isn't warped in any way. That would lead it it fail. If I have to do my passenger rear again (for the 3rd time) I may shell out the $300 for a new one. Most likely find a good used one.

[richardodn]

F A G & SKF are two high quality bearing manufacturers. Timken and National are both brands of Federal-Mogul and should also be quality parts. Beck/Arnley are likely reboxed F A G bearings. Any of these would make good replacements. There may be other contributors. Are you running on a lowered suspension? Are the bushings good? In other words, is the camber correct? Are you running non-stock wheel fitments?

[ChrisBuckle]

Totally stock. No play in bushings. Tires wear evenly. Just seems almost like clockwork, every 9 months or so that same bearing starts growling.

[Scotty@Advanced]

I wonder if the shops didn't torque the bolt and use a new one?

[Davdraco1]

I vote bad hub. I had a bearing go on about that timeframe. We'll see how long this one lasts.

[vrmm]

I had an Oriellys bearing go bad in a couple days. May have been from a bad hub. Timken is like 100$ but supposedly worth it. I put ***'s in my dads allroad. They work fine. Get a little touchy from time to time though.

[Mad Cow]

Make sure your hub isn't warped in any way. That would lead it it fail. If I have to do my passenger rear again (for the 3rd time) I may shell out the $300 for a new one. Most likely find a good used one.

I'm in the same boat with my driver's side rear bearing, done it twice since I got the car and it's already beginning to make noise again. Finding a good used hub is hard since nobody wants to press the hub out of the upright to inspect it. It kills me that there isn't an aftermarket part, aftermarket fronts are a piece of cake to find but rears don't exist.

[Bordom]

I'm in the same boat with my driver's side rear bearing, done it twice since I got the car and it's already beginning to make noise again. Finding a good used hub is hard since nobody wants to press the hub out of the upright to inspect it. It kills me that there isn't an aftermarket part, aftermarket fronts are a piece of cake to find but rears don't exist.

The aftermarket hubs that do exist are almost as expensive as the dealer, since no one sees a market for it and they're rarely replaced

[Mad Cow]

The aftermarket hubs that do exist are almost as expensive as the dealer, since no one sees a market for it and they're rarely replaced

Really? I've spent hours searching and came up with nothing whatsoever. The only non-OEM hubs I've seen were unbranded but clearly from the same manufacturer since like you said they're maybe 15% cheaper. Compared to front hubs where OEM is nearly $300 and Meyle is $80-ish.

[redline380]

8D0407615E, rear/75mm hub- $16 on rock auto, GAP is $198

4A0407615D, 82mm front hub - $18 on rock auto, GAP is $162

A tad cheaper than OEM lol. Quality is up in the air, but might be worth the gamble considering they are so cheap

[Mad Cow]

8D0407615E, rear/75mm hub- $16 on rock auto, GAP is $198

That's a front hub. Note the 407 in the part number, that points to the front axle/hub category, rear axle/hub is 501.

[redline380]

That's a front hub. Note the 407 in the part number, that points to the front axle/hub category, rear axle/hub is 501.

Indeed. I though they were the same, but I guess not.

[ChrisBuckle]

Awesome experience. Ordered new wheel bearing from blauparts.com on Wednesday night, at my door on Saturday. Couldn't ask for quicker service!

[efauteux]

im going through the same exact thing,drivers side wheel bearing rear,this will be my second time replacing it in lessthan a year & a half! i guess its just a prob with these cars! is there a way to press it in&out w/o a hydrolic press?

- - - Updated - - -

im going through the same exact thing,drivers side wheel bearing rear,this will be my second time replacing it in lessthan a year & a half! i guess its just a prob with these cars! is there a way to press it in&out w/o a hydrolic press?

[Davdraco1]

If the hub is lot right it can wear out the bearing much quicker then usual.

[efauteux]

thanks for the reply,i'm new so its nice to get feedback! thanks brother!

[ChrisBuckle]

Think I figured mine out, haven't had any problems yet since fixing (Apr2015). For some reason someone had welded the junction of the rear tie rod and the upright/spindle together. So every time the suspension traveled, so instead of that bushing flexing it would twist the axle and bearing. Replaced tie rod and upright/spindle (installed with new bearing), used my old hub. Haven't had any issues since. Before fixing, a new bearing would only last 4-5 months before starting to grumble. Been around 9mos now, still silent.

[efauteux]

dam,they went through all that,krazy

[CoyneJ]

you guys should try partsgeek, they got nice selection and really cheap prices compared to other places

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/199...l_bearing.html
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/199...aring_kit.html
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/199...g_carrier.html

[GOODBYNAAIR]

Parts geek sure. but I trust FCP always backing up there parts. FCP

[CoyneJ]

i always check FCP, ECS, and PartsGeek for the lowest price quality parts, PartsGeek haven't disappointed me yet

[GOODBYNAAIR]

I will have to try parts geek. ECS has been sub par in service for me.

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[ChrisBuckle]

Ecs is only like an hr and half away from me. I get pretty much overnight shipping at the standard shipping rate. Unless I find a part alot cheaper and don't need it asap, those are the only times I go anywhere else really.