'01 Chev Sbrbn 4WD 1500

Told by mechanic the front Wheel Bearing & Hub ***'bly must be replaced. Best to do both sides. Said it was THE source of medium to med-high pitch rubbing noise, which changes w/speed. His price: $800-900 for pair. P+L. ALSO thought it would end ABS and Brake light from lighting up each time I drive a few miles. Any thoughts...? Meanwhile, thought I'd try it:

COUPLE ???s:
-- Seems sort of easy to do...Is it? (as long as bearing & spline don't stick?)
-- RockAuto has several brands. All say they fit. Confused which to get. Timken OK? @ $104/ea...OK price. MOOG @ $137...A/C Delco way more
-- Says there's an OEM style ABS sensor & plug...Should I assume that'll fit my '01 okay?

THANKS!!

 

I agree that it is best to do both sides. It provides you with piece of mind that they are both new. Unfortunately, if you only do one, you will find that the other normally goes around the same time.

The Timken hubs would be fine. They make good bearings. If your ABS sensor is faulty in the front hub, it will correct the abs and brake light problem. It will keep you from requiring a tow, should the bearing totally fail.

It is a big job, but something that you can tackle, with the right tools. The biggest challenge is getting front axle retaining nuts off. They are a 35mm nut. It makes it easier if you have access to a 3/4 drive racket and socket set, as well as a crow bar.

Also, when you are removing the hub retaining bolts to the spindle, please make sure that you get the socket on square, so that you do not round off the bolt. If you have to drill it out, you can, as the bolt only treads into the hub. Hopefully you can get it out without having to drill it out.

The hub may not come apart easily. Tap the axle back, as you remove the hub. Make sure that you do not pull too hard on the axle, as you can pull it out. You may have to hit the hub with a big hammer, to get it to separate from the spindle.

When you put the hub assembly back together, make sure that you torque the hub to axle but properly. Improper torque is one the main reasons that the bearing fail. Also, make sure that you torque the rims and check them again, after 100 miles.

Please find a few videos that will help you with the repair.


Good luck with the repair.

 

Bearings are not a part that has to be done in pairs. It is a waste of time and money to take out a part that is ok. New does not mean good. But that is a personal preference. At work we do one side bearings on a regular basis and have yet to see one come back for the other side anytime soon after the first was done. He may have recommended both for a few reasons. #1 He could not tell which side is making the noise. Both failing at the same time is rare but does occasionally happen. #2 He was trying to make additional money off you. #3 He does not know better or #4 Both are actually bad. To pinpoint which are bad. Put the truck securely on 4 jack stands (all wheels off ground). Shake the the front ones top and bottom and side to side. If there is play determine if it is the bearing by looking at whats moving. Then put truck in 4wd (make sure tires are not touching the ground) and put it in gear. Listen to the front bearing with a stethoscope or long screw driver you should be able to hear the bad one. Then job is fairly simple it takes 15-20 min in the shop from start to finish. With the tools mentioned above, if you can get the axle nut off then you should be able to do in 1-1.5 hours. We regularly use Timken bearings at work and have never had a problem.

 

Thanks for the feedback and video links! Time to order parts.