How much should front wheel bearings cost me?

[Neon Knight]

I took my cherokee into a shop today and the guy told me it would be upwards of about 400 dollars for each wheel. They are in pretty bad shape, I have been driving very gingerly.

[SilverXJ]

What year XJ? 99/00+ costs a bit more. Last I checked the earlier bearings are just $75

[Prosonic]

I'm assuming that the $400 includes labor. If not, your getting taken.

[Neon Knight]

It is a 98, I think I need the hubs and all that too. 400-500 on each wheel sounded really steep though.

[HeavyMetal]

i can change out a unitbearing in under 20 minutes probably...sounds like that shop is either pretty incapable of basic work or is running a price up on you.

even with labor added, 400 per side is outrageous. 400 total would make a bit more sense

[Neon Knight]

Originally Posted by Prosonic

I'm assuming that the $400 includes labor. If not, your getting taken.

Yes and no I am not getting taken, I am doing my homework and making sure of that.

[Neon Knight]

Originally Posted by HeavyMetal

i can change out a unitbearing in under 20 minutes probably...sounds like that shop is either pretty incapable of basic work or is running a price up on you.

even with labor added, 400 per side is outrageous. 400 total would make a bit more sense

Perhaps it was a matter of miscommunication, I will call him tomorrow and double check. 400 sounds fair for both right and left though?

[XJohnnyC]

Originally Posted by HeavyMetal

i can change out a unitbearing in under 20 minutes probably

God, you're slow. I've done it so many times, I've got it down to 10 minutes.

But...it wasn't always that way. About 10 years ago when I knew nothing about Jeeps, both of my unit bearings went bad. I had no idea what it was. Stopped by the Midas around the corner, and they gave me an estimate of $600 to replace both. They had me over a barrel. What could I say?

Now, it's fun to swap out unit bearings. If anybody local ever needs to replace theirs, I volunteer to do it for a free lunch.

[HeavyMetal]

Originally Posted by XJohnnyC

God, you're slow. I've done it so many times, I've got it down to 10 minutes.

i do have 10 more lug nuts to deal with (spacers)

[HavenSOV]

Just paid 100 for each hub for my '91.

Local lentz wanted 390 to do both, pep boys wanted 410 to do both.

[ddeadserious]

Here's a little write-up, it goes further than you need to.

http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=762

This is for a YJ, but they have the same front axle as your XJ. It's really a relatively simple procedure once you get into it.

[seth.weed]

I paid around a 120 per for my 97 and I did the work myself and saved 300$ and took that money and bought new U- joints for the front. I didn't use and air tools when I did it I didn't want to strip any bolts. Just a breaker bar. I would buy three new bolts for each new hub. and check to make sure that the new bolts fit into the hub before you pay for them. I had one bolt the just didn't fit like the rest. Most likely a freak thing though!! I used a hammer and chisel just worked one conner out at a time and it just came right out. then when you put the new bolts back on it draws into place. And ya I could now do another hub in less time then it would take me to drive to a shop and back .( I am 28 miles away from anything) The first time took awhile but I saved a ton of money doing it myself!
I fond this link this is the one that I used to tell me how to change it
http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=257794

[ddeadserious]

And there's a diagram, you just need to replace #6, usually around $100-$150 each at the parts store.

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by Prosonic

I'm assuming that the $400 includes labor. If not, your getting taken.

He is getting taken if it does include labor!!! $400 per wheel is rediculous.

[00BlackdOut]

I can see $400 for both sides, as the parts will be around $200 + 10-15% markup + labor at $65 an hour and probably 1.5 hrs per side on the book rate. That's what they go by, and not actual time. Sometimes in your favor, sometimes in theirs.