Reasons for wheel bearing failure?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by wrothgar, Mar 15, 2018.

  1. wrothgar

    wrothgar Junior Member

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    I just had a driver front wheel bearing go bad on a 2008 Prius. The same bearing was replaced 2 years ago, 50 000 km. The car has 190 000 km. I'm wondering why the one only lasted 2 years. It was a timken bearing, and has a warranty. I bought the car at 100000 km.

    I'm wondering what people think of these possible causes:

    1. Bad bearing

    2. Seal broken during installation....but likely not, according to the mechanic who put it in

    3. Rusted knuckle or damaged knuckle from the removal.... apparently it was really tough to get out.

    4. Overinflated tires

    5. Potholes...I have one short stretch on the way to work that has very poor paving

    6. Suspension - can a worn suspension damage a bearing?

    Thanks.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #1 wrothgar, Mar 15, 2018
  2. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Over inflated can’t help. When my car was new and trying to get hyper mileage I ran my tires at 42 lbs. car hit really hard.
    The drivers side WB failed at 34000 and was replaced under the 3/36
    Since then I run much softer tires more concerned with comfort then miles
    And never lost another WB.
    This car has vert tight suspension with crappy struts so it hits potholes really hard so something got to give.
     
    #2 edthefox5, Mar 15, 2018
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just from reading the title my first thought too, overinflating tires. Tires absorb shocks, and extreme overinflation has got to reduce that ability.

    Another: those #*#$@! speed bumps. And/or sunken steel hatches and manholes; our streets are blinking slalom course sometimes.

    One thing I've heard that makes sense about potholes and the like, brake coming up to them if you can, but release your brakes just before hitting them, you'll roll through them easier if freewheeling.

    Oh, one more: bearing design? My very limited understanding is the Prius bearing design is low friction, to improve mpg, but at the expense of longevity?
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Mar 15, 2018
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    since the first one lasted 140km, unless you just started over inflating, i would get defective bearing or poor installation.
     
    #4 bisco, Mar 15, 2018
  5. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Gen2 is known for bearing failures. So I'd start the list like this:

    #1 Inferior grade OEM part
    #2 Even lower grade replacement part.
    #3.........
     
    #5 fotomoto, Mar 15, 2018
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  6. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    Might weather be an issue? Road salt/slush/snow? Sure it's a "sealed" bearing, but is anything truly sealed?
     
    #6 egg_salad, Mar 15, 2018
  7. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    Agree with 1.
    I bet the replacement part was much better, but lack of lubricant will kill metal bearings fast, both my gen2+3 got front bearings before 60k.
     
    #7 Lucifer, Mar 15, 2018
  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Foto is right we see alot of bearing failures on G2's. Surprised I have not lost another except that one 70,000 miles ago.
     
    #8 edthefox5, Mar 15, 2018
  9. wrothgar

    wrothgar Junior Member

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    I wonder if the increased use of salt brine has worsened corrosion in the Toronto area too I think... something that the car might have not been exposed to in the first 100000 km....then again, the passenger wb hasn't gone (yet).

    I think my tires have been inflated mostly between 35 and 37 lbs...

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 wrothgar, Mar 15, 2018
  10. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Maybe the shield that is positioned on the inside surface was not installed properly when the first one was replaced, allowing contaminants to have access to the bearing. That shield can be a PITA, depending on the method used to replace the bearing hub.
     
    #10 TMR-JWAP, Mar 15, 2018
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