Update here... Called all local auto parts stores (Advance, Autozone and Oreilly’s) and none of them press bearings in. Carquest appears to not be local here in Illinois or at least nearby. Called my local Toyota dealer, who have been pretty helpful, and spoke to their service department. A master tech said that do not replace bearings alone on an old hub spindle. They sell all new parts and press them on when repairing.

At least I know what my options are. I’m leaning towards trying to rebuild mine vs buying a preassembled unit. If I did go with a preassembled unit, I would most likely go with the ones recommended here that use the Koyo bearings. I will most likely leave the bearing as is for my trip unless it starts to make noise prior to then.

The harbor freight press is terrific. When I did my front bearings I just used the pre-assembled kits. Super easy. But, I didn't have a press at the time. now I do. I got it to have in case my rear bearing go, you need the press for that and a special pulling tool. Knock on wood my rears are still good at 253k. But I've also used the press for a few other things, plus if you decide to do ball joints or control arm bushings, etc, the press is the ticket, but you'll probably still need to rent a kit with the sleeves/cups or have several sizes of steel tube available to use. If you get into your own fabricating of odds and ends that press will be golden. Swag offroad has a press brake made for the HF 20T press. There is a weld-it-yourself version and I think a fully complete one for more $. Then you'll be able to bent small pieces of thin-ish plate and sheet metal. Basically, if you like DIY projects, a the HF press is a no-brainer. I think it's easily the most valuable tool they sell. That and the 2T engine hoist.

^^^^^ This! And with him, you get a top quality bearing assembled correctly.

Beware the ones on eBay featuring fake Koyo bearings. (Yes, the Chinese have sunk that low.) How do you tell if they're fake? They're unusually inexpensive.

Where can we contact him? it looks like his user profile no longer exists on the Tacoma forum. I'm doing some maintenance on my front end suspension, replacing the front axles and figured I mine as well do my wheel bearings as there is some play in them.

Wheel Bearings & Hubs Press Service *** OE NSK*** | Tacoma World


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thanks, had to create an account before I could start a conversation with him. Any idea how these compare to koyo bearings? was about to purchase on ebay Dorman front hub 930-403 or equivalent with Koyo/Timken Bearing but after reading this thread kind of hesitant now, the set on ebay goes for 280 but I'd rather pay 345 from somebody reputable and that people on this forum have experience with.

I’ve been running them for quite a while, at least three years I’d say. I’ve had no issues and he has hundreds of sales and reviews on his thread.


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Great, I appreciate the feedback. He's already responded to me.

I am planning on going with a complete assembly this time around. I have a few questions though.

Any concerns with durability or corrosion when going with assemblies that have the Dorman hubs? Seems like most of the options include a high quality bearing with a Dorman hub.

Also, will I be able to tell whether or not my old bearing is a factory one when I take it off? I am not the original owner so I don’t know the complete history of the vehicle.

If the old bearings have Koyo written on them they're very likely the originals.

I replaced my fronts with the assemblies (from blue pit bearings. I think He sold through his own website, but also on ebay with a different name). They were done in 2013 @78,000 miles. I'm now at 253k and no problems. Koyo bearings and Doorman hubs. BTW, when I got my press, I pressed out the old bearings to try and keep the OEM hubs, which I still have. The inner bearing race stayed on the hub and the bearings came apart. Not surprised and it allowed be to see that water must've gotten into the bearings. They looked red, which I took to be from some rust. Not much, but enough to toast the bearings. But again, my current set up is A-ok.

Appreciate the info.

I actually ordered from Bluepit yesterday and got them today. I opted for a set with the Toyota hub but that sounds like it was overkill. I know that is a good price for all Toyota parts but it’s more than I ever spent on a hub before. Next time around I will do the Dorman hub option if I need another one. I hoping to put it on this weekend. I just picked up a Toyota CV dust seal since I never replaced that when I did my CVs a few months ago. I have a set of seals that came with my Napa axels but considering I spent so much money on the bearing I figured I would get an actual Toyota seal.

I think you're going in the right direction, just buy and bolt on. I have a 30T press and did the press route but like the service tech said, putting a new bearing on an old hub doesn't really makes a whole bunch of sense. Yeah, you save some $$$ but not really an ideal situation.

I used to have Subarus and for those cars, I bought a mondo OTC wheel bearing kit with every conceivable adapter doohickeys and a massive "forcing" screw. The molded plastic box alone weighs around 50# and I bet I can put together adapters to separate bearings from the hubs but I didn't bother when I did the 4runner bearings.

Anyway, enjoy this project. If you happen to have a needle tip for your grease gun, you may be able to sneak some grease into the BJ boots by going under the metallic rings. Just a simple PM while you're in there.

The best bearing and hub set in the world won't last long if you don't replace what most likely took out the original bearing(s) - the seals. Good move!