Rear Wheel Bearing Failure

Thanks!

Can you add the part numbers and any additional details?

Do they also make them for the front wheels?

Bob Wilson

 

i ordered two front OEM bearings from toyota, 21 bucks a piece. the only issue is pressing out the old bearing, you really need a good hydraulic press to press it out and press the new one in.

 

id always go for timken bearing..very good quality,,made in japan..ive been using this brand for about 5 years now.

 

I recently had the same problem with my 2001 Prius (218000 miles). It cost me a LOT more than yours did. I was told that the bearing came only as an assembly with the rotation sensor and it cost $350. I was charged another $280 for installation. Sounds like I got suckered.

 

Well-known bearing manufacturer, OEM supplier, good reputation.

They now manufacture in China; I have no idea how that's going.

 

I'm going to have to replace the right rear hub on my 2002 with 196k miles on it currently. It is starting to howl pretty loud.

dave

 

Take photos but do you have an old alignment report or tire wear symptoms to share?

I've seen enough NHW11 alignment reports to suspect that a four-wheel alignment might be needed to avoid wheel bearing replacement.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

 

Interesting. I may be able to dig up the last alignment report from about a year ago. Interesting that you mention that. It started as a faint noise after I got 2 new rear tires about 8 months ago, and I attributed the noise to the new tires back there, and it has just gotten alot louder to where I know the bearing is about shot. (I jacked the rear of the car up and spun the rear tire and you can hear and feel the bearing having a rough time compared to the other side.)

dave

 

That sounds like they installed a left front camber kit. That would have absolutely no effect on the rear wheel bearings.

Your before and after rear numbers are typical of what you would get if you measured the rear alignment, bounced the car or moved it a bit then measured again. It doesn't look like they did anything to the rear.

 

I'm confused ... how can a poor alignment burn a wheel bearing but not scrub the tire?

 

It could have been the process by which your wheels were removed. Sometimes the wheels are rusted to the hub so tight that it takes mighty blows with the biggest hammer in the shop to get them off. The degree of force necessary for removal increases with time as well as with the environmental factors, such as living in rust-promoting Illinois.

 

I replaced my right rear wheel bearing about 5k miles ago too with Timken. No problems.

 

I'm installing a Timken rear assembly on my 2001 tomorrow. Can any of you tell me the torque specs for the job?

 

They're not in front of me at the moment, but the whole procedure's around page SA-45 and following in the manual (techinfo.toyota.com, access for the weekend is cheap). That'll also have the procedure for the followup wheel sensor test, etc.

Could you let us know whether the Timken assembly comes with the wheel sensor attached, or you have to add one (or move the old one over, which I think wasn't recommended)? The manual does show how to remove and reattach it. Looks like it wouldn't be hard to get it crooked and have a bad day, but I've never tried.

The Toyota part comes with the sensor in place (but I also paid $260-something for it, from an online discounting Toyota dealer).

-Chap