Front Wheel Beaings Worn Out

[KKtrucking]

Hey Gentlemens and Gentleladies?;

 

Have any of you folks ran accross the front bearing/hub assemblys being worn out with 50,000 miles on the truck?

2005 3500HD 4X4 ext. cab Duramax?

I had new tires put on today and while it was jacked up the mechanic called me over and said "lookit this" Grab the tires at 12 and 6 o'clock and they moves in and out 1/4-3/8". The scary thing is I never felt it in the wheel and the tires aren't worn funky. What's even worse is I've turned wrenches for 25+ years and service the truck on a 4-5000 mile schedule, jacking up the front end and all, no play in any tie rod or associated part , so I'm kind of shocked. Its far too early to be checking bearing play, GM claims this is a first (yea right). I have to bring it to the dealer for "consideration" L&R bearing assemblys are over $200 so I'll be driving an 08 F350 before I spend that kind of cake.

Any one ever seen this?

Thanks all

[GMTRUCKTECH]

Yes have replaced many hub bearings before from 1500's to 3500's. Do you have oversized rims and tires because thats the leading cause? Being your a wrench turner and probaly pretty good with math buying a new new ford and replacing both front hubs just don't add up. Do yourself a favor keep the chevy.

[Indy]

Yes have replaced many hub bearings before from 1500's to 3500's. Do you have oversized rims and tires because thats the leading cause? Being your a wrench turner and probaly pretty good with math buying a new new ford and replacing both front hubs just don't add up. Do yourself a favor keep the chevy.

 

I replaced the left side last summer at 100,000 miles. The right side is fine.

 

+1 on keep the Chevy.

[KKtrucking]

Yes have replaced many hub bearings before from 1500's to 3500's. Do you have oversized rims and tires because thats the leading cause? Being your a wrench turner and probaly pretty good with math buying a new new ford and replacing both front hubs just don't add up. Do yourself a favor keep the chevy.

 

Factory wheels and tires

I just think its coming up short in the normal wear and tear department with 50000 miles. I could have said Dod...no I couldn't!!!

[GMTRUCKTECH]

Are you a good customer at your local dealer because the service manage has the ability to goodwill your repair. Depending on your service history he can ask for a hundred dollar deposit or nothing if your a real good service customer and warranty your repair. Can't hurt to try.

[dmurray]

Driver side went at 26,000 left side just went at 26630. 06 gmc crew cab. Bought it new an it is now out of warrenty because of 3 years. Also both front tires worn down to the wear bars just on the inside band of the tire.

[Nytemare]

I've seen it happen.

And 200 bucks is pretty cheap for a dealer installed wheel bearing.

 

They're 30 bucks each if you want to replace them your self.

 

Thats just the bearings them selves...the whole assembly ranges from 150-278

 

Edit:

Sorry...I screwed up.... the 1st set I looked at was for a 2WD.

 

Either way...I'd rather spend 400 bucks on fixing than 40G to buy a new truck.

[5star44]

Hey guys. All good information here! Now that I've read this post, I think I may possibly have a wheel bearing going bad on my 2006 Silverado 4x4. Having just rolled over 100K I noticed just a couple days ago my tire on the driver side is wearing real bad just on the inside edge and there seems to have been a little more road noise than usual lately. I've been running Firestone Destination A/Ts the past 30K miles and the passenger side still looks darn near new evenly across the tread whereas the driver side looks the same except for the very inside edge showing unusual wear. I've been busy with work and haven't had a chance to check it out as of yet but after reading this post, this seems to be a common problem with many of our GM trucks so I'm going to check it out in the next day or two. If it turns out to be the bearing, would you guys recommend replacing the bearing only or should I go for the entire hub w/bearing assembly replacement. I've seen these advertised on eBay with or without the wheel sensor for under a hundred bucks. Then again, if this turns out to be the problem, I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and replace both sides, since it's likely the passenger side may soon follow down the road a ways. I used to always say, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' but then again, I believe in preventive maintenance. Uncle Sam taught me that!

[jrod332]

If the tire moved in and out by grabbing it at 12 and 6 wouldnt that be upper and lower ball joints?

[Nytemare]

If the tire moved in and out by grabbing it at 12 and 6 wouldnt that be upper and lower ball joints?

Moving in and out is bearing...rocking up and down is ball joints.

[gmtech4]

you can't get just the bearing ,there is a wheel speed sensor in there,just bite it and get er done,

 

its easy to feel a wheel brg at 12 & 6 ,

with suspension and truck lifted off the grd ,upper BJ is able to push in at the top and if theres movment or a torn boot ,its done

 

lowers are chk'd with a pry bar under wheel and visual and feel for movement,spec is quiet abit for GM warranty ,78 thou .but after warranty thats no good ,lol

[korbin502]

Just did the drivers side for the first time on my 01 at 173,000 miles. About $180 including tax for the entire assembly with a 1 year warranty from Kragen. Very easy to change. Should only take you about 30 minutes and 3 beers per side.I will suggest you hose down the bolts holding the bearing on and the brake pad cage with penetrating oil the night before you do the change.

[Jsdirt]

I had one go on my '94 K1500 at 230,000 miles. My father replaced his on an '02 HD2500 at 80K or so & I have a friend that used to own an '04 K1500 crew -- he had both go at under 30K! Seems like GM had some cheap vendors in the bearing department from '02-'06.

 

So far my NBS '07 is doing fine -- even cornering like an idiot with 22" rims that weigh 92lbs. each .... we'll see how long they last....

[shithappens]

I had one go on my '94 K1500 at 230,000 miles. My father replaced his on an '02 HD2500 at 80K or so & I have a friend that used to own an '04 K1500 crew -- he had both go at under 30K! Seems like GM had some cheap vendors in the bearing department from '02-'06.

 

So far my NBS '07 is doing fine -- even cornering like an idiot with 22" rims that weigh 92lbs. each .... we'll see how long they last....

 

I have an 01 and had to have the left front wheel bearing replaced around 30k miles. Thanks to the web I can see just how much quality is built into my truck. This is 1 of the many many many many things I have had to replace.

[5star44]

Hey guys. Hers an update on what I thought was a wheel bearing problem on my 06 Silverado. Turns out both side wheel bearing/hubs are snug as new. I jacked up the truck, removed the wheel and let the suspension hang. Then I removed the caliper, suspending it with a wire hanger out of the way. Then I spun the rotor to check for bearing noise or roughness ... there was none. I could get the rotor to spin freely for about 1/4 turn or so. It wasn't tight and certainly not free-wheelin' loose either so I'm assuming it was acting normal. Then I grab the disk at 12 & 6 in an attempt to rock it back and forth. Nothing. I repeated the process at the 9 & 3 positions. Nothing. I checked both sides. Everything seems tight. I tried getting the ball joints to move but there is no play there either. Tie rod ends, pitman/idle arms and steering linkage seems all tight. All I can think of now is front end alignment is off. The only other thing I noticed after putting everything back together and lowering the truck with the front end resting on it's suspension (with no load inside the rear bed and 1/2 tank of fuel on board) is the rubber suspension jounce bumper on the driver side is touching the lower control arm stop whereas the passenger side has about 1/4" of clearance between the bumper and stop. Both rubber bumpers appear to be normal and in great shape, not deformed or anything. This would seemingly relate to a possible height adjustment problem so now I'm wondering if this may have something to do with the inside wear on the driver tire. Anyone know of a topic on this?