Bad wheel bearing, less than 300 miles.

[jmm3807]

So, I was having my tires balanced and they showed me I had a bad wheel bearing. 2006 Toyota 4Runner V6 2WD 164k miles. Since this model doesn't have the bluepit bearing style and the shop wanted 350 to do it I decided to do it myself. The only thing the autozone store had was duralast so I did that. Took apart, and had Napa press the new bearing in. So here I am messing with the brakes and once I lift the wheel I notice that the tire seems loose like I can jiggle it left and right up and down. When it spins it makes almost no noise. The other bearing had a noise before I replaced it. Anyway, long story short what could possibly cause this bearing to go out again in less than 300 miles. I had a different shop verify that the bearing was bad again. Should I have went oem or something. I mean I know duralast wasn't the best choice but really this short of mileage it would seem something else was to blame.

 

[NJshadow93]

What was it, a rear wheel bearing?

 

[jmm3807]

Front right bearing sorry. Could it be poor alignment. If it makes any difference the strut mount is broken and I'm fixing that on the 4th. I don't know if that could cause a repeat failure.

 

[NJshadow93]

If it's the front, the bluepit bearing will work just fine. Also, check your tie rod. When the wheel moves up and down, that's indicative of a bad wheel bearing, but side to side could mean a bad tie rod.

 

[lehiguy]

Play could come from ball joints, the wheel bearing or tie rod ends. Determine which. I have seen many front wheel bearing assemblies die because they were over torqued. I have seen many die because they were inferior Chinese trash. Koyo and SKF are good bets for bearings.

 

[97hb]

Mine died at 208k and replaced with an auto zone duralast made in mexico bearing. I've heard not to impact them to the hub but to press them together. I impacted with no problems and now at 260k and counting. Might get timken next go around.

 

[jmm3807]

I bought an SKF which comes in on the 3rd. Now since this bearing isn't making any noise would it be alright to drive it say 15 miles a day on semi bumpy roads until I can get it replaced on the third? It's got around a 1/4" of play if I'm estimating correctly haha

 

[Atlanta_man]

If it's the front, the bluepit bearing will work just fine. Also, check your tie rod. When the wheel moves up and down, that's indicative of a bad wheel bearing, but side to side could mean a bad tie rod.

on a 2wd ? hope so... link please ?

 

[NJshadow93]

on a 2wd ? hope so... link please ?

My fault, missed how it was a 2WD.

 

[RPS13]

Not torquing these types of bearings will kill them in short order. But if you don't have noise yet, try retorquing it (to the upper range of the FSM range if they do give a range - Nissan does). That play is basically no preload on the roller bearings, so they can move around.

Make sure you use the factory locking mechanisms on the nut.