[WheeliePro]

I searched and found a similar post, but realized after I replied that it was in the ZJ Forum.

I have a 2002 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0 with 150k. I have replaced the front, drivers-side wheeling bearing 4 times in about a year and half. The first one was a faulty Duralast bearing from Autozone and needed to be changed within 2 weeks. Autozone exchanged it for a another Duralast. The second one lasted about 6 months and I asked for my money back, rather than another Duralast. I went to O'Reilly's and bought a Master Pro bearing that lasted about 6 months. When I replaced the Master Pro a few months ago, I forgot where I bought the last one and bought a Duralast with the intent on taking back the bad one. I realized my mistake after it was installed and I went to grab the old reciept. I know, I'm an idiot. And now the drivers-side is grinding again.

Before the Master Pro wore out, the passenger-side bearing went bad and I replaced it with the more expensive SKF bearing. I have had zero issues with the passenger-side since then (~9 months). I followed the manual exactly on all installations and always torqued the spindle nut. Is the drivers-side just a case of using crappy parts and getting crappy results? Or is there something else going on on that side?

[TJSWJ]

yep crappy parts, crappy results. I have use only timken bearings in the front of mine. Yes, i have to change them usually once a year, but i wheel it, and have oversized wheels and tires, so its expected. Good thing is they carry a lifetime warranty too, but you have to get them from Car Parts Warehouse. Autozone only gives 2 years on timkens now. But i see your in cleveland, so you should have a CPW local to you.

Also, the axle nut torque is critical in wheel bearing life. So be sure to use a torque wrench.

If your looking for some local help, check out xjor. Link in my sig.

[billzcat1]

Yep, that's the long and the short of it. Couldn't have said it better myself.

[WheeliePro]

Thanks for the info. How expensive are the Timken's at CPW?

[nickblack]

Are you using a torque wrench when you install the bearing? Do not use impact gun to tighten.

[WheeliePro]

Yes, I'm using a torque wrench.

[TJSWJ]

i believe they are around 150-170 each.