Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: frenchy on September 08, 2009, 06:00:00 PM
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Seems to be a lot of worn out unit bearings lately...
Just curious...
Are you doing a lot of winch pulls? Pulls from lower down where your front end is sucked down? Or pulls with your front tires turned?
Wondering if they're failing just cause they are worn out, or maybe they have excess stress on them ?
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I started with a high mileage '97 TJ (190,000km), added bigger tires but only did a bit of recreational wheelin... so I assume my unit bearings were just due to be replaced.
Not to hijack this post... but what are the best replacements for the money and where do ya get em?
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I am thinking that in jeeps that are never offroaded, the bearings last longer because they just are not subject to elements that will destroy them. You may have a unit bearing that has a poor sealing surface that will survive just fine on the street, but dump it in a muddy pool of silt in McLean, now you have just introduced some nasty grit into the beaing that will quickly cause it to fail. Of couse larger tires and different wheel offsets will accelerate wear too. As far as where to get unit bearings I would look to see if you can find a supplier that has the unit bearings with a lifetime warrenty. KEEP YOUR RECIEPT!!!!! Do not take your lifted jeep to the store to pick up replacement bearings. I bought one set at auto value and warrentied them twice, had no problems..... ymmv
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The "unit bearing" or front wheel hub bearing jeep are using since the mighty leaf sprung YJ's are a fine example of early dodge 4x4's that had the same set up that used to pack it in once you went beyond stock. The bearings are too small and spaced too closely together to spread the load out well. A warn locking hub set up comes with bigger bearings, but more importantly, further apart to spread the load (at a hefty fee I be live) for bigger than stock tires. Larger tires are like putting a pipe on the end of your ratchet to increase torque, something is going to let go sooner or later. Oh wait, those tiny wheel bearings...see if you can find some with a decent warranty or bring em back before it's up claiming noise. Get used to changing em. The bigger the tire the more often. Or you could put stock stuff back on and probably never do one again....
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The unit bearing currently on my Jeep are probably about 4-5 years old and they are still in great shape. I have not been offroading much in the last couple years but before that, I did a fair bit. I am running 33sx12.5 on my jeep. I think these bearing are Auto Value ones as well
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i smell a Jeep Unit Bearing group buy................................
i'll take 8.........
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I bought my most recent ones off ebay, and they are outlasting everything else I have tried.
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also installed ebay set.and have spares.like previous posts the the alterations we have to our vehicles compared to factory design is inevitable failure.luckily they are easy to replace and not bizzare priced like other parts we trash lol. ii think it comes with the territory of the sport.i have seen more frequent failures with super offset wheels though.my .02
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Here is who I bought mine through:
http://myworld.ebay.ca/roadiron1
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Just picked one up for my YJ, cheap one $130, good one $160. Napa reports lots of warranty problems with cheap ones, good ones no problems, well not frequent problems. Avoid white box or FAG brand hubs, many don't make it past the 12 month warranty, but lots do...just. So buyer beware. The 12 month warranty is a standard norm.
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Being the novice that I am... what I assumed was a worn out unit bearing making all those squealing noises... was actually my front drive shaft.
The ball and socket is pretty much shot. Oddly enough... the squealing goes away when it is in 4WD. As long as the drive shaft is loaded (accel or decel) it is fine. Coast or 2WD and it squeals like a 12 year old girl at a Jonas brothers concert ::)
Regardless... if anyone was serious about a group buy on unit bearings... I wouldn't mind having a spare set.