Replace front wheel bearings

**alexrule123** · 04-13-2007, 04:45 PM

I need to replace my front wheel bearings. i know i have the cast rotors so i need to get that hub, but i was wondering two things. First, are the 2wd hubs the same as 4wd, since only one option is given for the part and i have a 2wd and second is there any quality difference if i got them from advanced auto or napa? the reason i ask is because at advance auto they cost $124.44 and the ones at napa cost $169 each.

Thanks

**balloo93** · 04-13-2007, 09:59 PM

You'll need to know who manufactures them to know if it's a quailty or price difference. Can't go wrong with Timken units.

**HeavyMetal** · 04-13-2007, 10:02 PM

pretty sure 2wd hubs are different

**alexrule123** · 04-13-2007, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyMetal

pretty sure 2wd hubs are different

that is what i thought, but they do not ask if it is 4wd or 2wd

edit: the advanced auto ones are BCA and Napa does not give a brand name for theirs

TMCXJ · 04-14-2007, 12:14 AM

I know AutoZone carries Timken. I remember paying $140 for them, last September or October. And the 2wd & 4wd are different.

xj-Jen · 04-14-2007, 12:48 AM

I just bought the Timken ones from Auto Zone tonight, $145 each. Ouch! That hurt!

TMCXJ · 04-14-2007, 06:08 AM

Remember to follow proper torque when reassembling. 175 ft.lbs. on the axle/hub nut, 75 ft.lbs. on the 3 bearing bolts (tighten in stages), 11 ft.lbs. on the caliper pins.

yeah I know... I sound like Towelee -- "Don't forget to torque your bolts!" instead of "Don't forget to bring a towel!"

**alexrule123** · 04-14-2007, 04:10 PM

arrg i think i got the wrong hub....the wheel won't spin freely

**alexrule123** · 04-14-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckeryOffroad

I know AutoZone carries Timken. I remember paying $140 for them, last September or October. And the 2wd & 4wd are different.

2wd and 4wd use the same bearings. I got the right hub assembly and got both installed. The only problem I am having is the place that did my brakes over a year ago cross threaded the caliper bolt and now there is not enough material for the stock bolt to work

. So now i have to go to a hardware store and get a slightly bigger bolt

the tap i have that fits the threads is a M8X1.25, but there is some play. What is the next size up with the same thread count?

**alexrule123** · 04-14-2007, 10:06 PM

Here are some pictures showing the 2wd hub is the same as the 4wd hub, with the execption of the spline insert.

**balloo93** · 04-14-2007, 11:59 PM

You'll need to take one of the other or the one bolt to a hardware store and start trying to thread on different sized nuts till you find the one that works.

If you could find new knuckle cheap enough, that might be the other solution.

**alexrule123** · 04-15-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balloo93

You'll need to take one of the other or the one bolt to a hardware store and start trying to thread on different sized nuts till you find the one that works.

If you could find new knuckle cheap enough, that might be the other solution.

yeah, i am planning on doing that today

TMCXJ · 04-15-2007, 12:07 PM

Well, you most certainly have my apology for stating that they were not the same. I have never owned a 2wd Jeep, but back when I had my old 1986 MJ (bought new), I worked with a guy that had a 1985 XJ in 2wd, and I helped him with maintenance. His front bearings had a regular cleaning/greasing schedule, and they were virtually NOTHING like my bearing/hub units. In fact, and I don't recall the exact torque now, those retaining nuts were literally just torqued very low, then loosened, then tightened again BY HAND. On the 2wd, mind you. Then cotter pins, etc., and done. Of course I don't perfectly recall the entire procedure, that was almost 20 years ago when last I did it for him. But the parts were drastically different... again, maybe my memory, I don't know. Either way, sorry for the incorrect info.

**alexrule123** · 04-15-2007, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckeryOffroad

Well, you most certainly have my apology for stating that they were not the same. I have never owned a 2wd Jeep, but back when I had my old 1986 MJ (bought new), I worked with a guy that had a 1985 XJ in 2wd, and I helped him with maintenance. His front bearings had a regular cleaning/greasing schedule, and they were virtually NOTHING like my bearing/hub units. In fact, and I don't recall the exact torque now, those retaining bolts were literally just torqued very low, then loosened, then tightened again BY HAND. On the 2wd, mind you. Then cotter pins, etc., and done. Of course I don't perfectly recall the entire procedure, that was almost 20 years ago when last I did it for him. But the parts were drastically different... again, maybe my memory, I don't know. Either way, sorry for the incorrect info.

it is all cool, i just wanted to let people know they are the same since i didn't know at first. Even my mechanic thought they were different

**alexrule123** · 04-15-2007, 02:47 PM

i used a heli coil to fix the threads. now i have another problem, whenever i turn the wheels a lot i hear a pop and then it goes away. everything is tightened the right amount. what could this be? The pop comes from both sides, if i turn the wheel left it comes from the left side and if i turn it right it comes form the right side. i am so confused right now

04-14-2007, 12:48 AM	#6
xj-Jen Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Central California Posts: 24 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I just bought the Timken ones from Auto Zone tonight, $145 each. Ouch! That hurt! __________________ [COLOR=DarkGreen][FONT=Impact]1992 Cherokee Limited[/FONT][/COLOR] [FONT=Impact][COLOR=DarkGreen]TnT Y-Link, 33"MTR's, d44, d30, 4.56, ARB's [/COLOR] [/FONT]