Wheel bearing - does the hub also need replacement

[MaximaGuy]

The front driver wheel bearing it on it way out and I was told to replace the hub also by the dealership.
Any idea why the dealership would insist on the hub replacement as well - never had to replace the hub on my other bearing jobs.

 

[barkingspider]

Perhaps it's a sealed unit

 

[Trav]

It make the job easier and quicker for the mechanic by not having to remove the inner race from the hub (if its a press in bearing) and they make money on the parts, win/win for them.
Rust shouldn't be in issue in your location so unless there is some problem particular to this model I cant see it.
I did an 05 Toyota recently and the hub was perfect but some others are rotten or all pitted and need to be changed but this is in the rust belt.

Edit: As someone posted if its sealed there is no option but to change the assembly.

 

[MaximaGuy]

Apparently the bearing is pressed into the knuckle and the hub in pressed into the inner race. The old fashioned press type.

 

[Linctex]

Sometimes its actually CHEAPER to buy a hub with a pressed bearing, than just the bearing itself.

Check prices.

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: MaximaGuy
Apparently the bearing is pressed into the knuckle and the hub in pressed into the inner race. The old fashioned press type.


Check Rockauto or Amazon for the Dorman hub unit. One of the guys on here who is very knowledgeable said it was good and haven't had any issues with them. Go with something else for the bearing, Timken, oem, SKF, etc...

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: MaximaGuy
Apparently the bearing is pressed into the knuckle and the hub in pressed into the inner race. The old fashioned press type.


I did that job on my 98 Sienna. What a major PITA. The shop wants to save time and pass the costs onto you.

Without the right tools and patience, wheel bearings of that design aren't fun to work on. I got a new appreciation of learning how not to let wheel bearings get you ticked off.

 

[MaximaGuy]

I don't plan to do the pressing part - I intend to take of the knuckles and take it to the press shop for pulling out the old one and pushing in the new one!! I once did a LBJ job and what a freaking PITA it turned out - got to appreciate patience!!

 

[Olas]

Hub only needs replacing if it's damaged.

 

[Fastcompany]

Correct hub only needs replaced if damged. Just doesn't mean that your the one doing the damage on tear down. I've seen hubs get hot as a result of a bad bearing to the point they are not press fit to the extent that they need to be. You can pull it apart but take note if there is any bluing of the steel. If so replace it. And use a puller to take the inner race off the hub. I've seen guys cut the race off with a cut off tool with no concern of scoring the hub.....bad oh an get a new axle nut. You may have to get it from the dealer as new bearing rarely come with one. Not sure why but if it's a self locking nit it needs replaced.and also you can't just buy a hub with a bearing already pressed on it unless it's an assembly. You have to press the bearing into the knuckle then press the hub into the bearing. It has to be done that way or your just ruining a new bearing.

 

[deanm11]

On our Subaru, I was leery of the risk of an aftermarket hub/bearing. So I found what was listed as (hopefully truthful) an under 15k mile complete knuckle on ebay for $50. Easy swap that way.