Denver bearing service? Updated

[4by4runr]

Hey all,
So I just moved to Denver, and I’ve noticed recently I’ve got a kind of hum groan when going straight that goes away when right turn pressure is applied. My knowledge says right wheel bearing.

With that being said, can anyone here recommend a good reasonable place here in Denver.
Thanks!


updated: There is no play at either wheel at 12-6 or 9-3...

 

[alextmullis]

Baker Garage, have a couple good friends who work there

 

[JLTD]

Thanks for that....I'm in the Denver Metro area as well.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Hoshi Motors in Boulder, a little drive but worth it.

 

[Kid4runner]

$200 and an hour of your time for both fronts...

 

[Diamond_D]

Greg at The Toy Shop just south of downtown has provided excellent and reliable service for me, always a stable of 4Runners there.

 

[4by4runr]

So I watched a couple vids, seems pretty straight forward to diy. I’m considering that now. Probably going to go with Marion.

Welcome to additional input

 

[montijo505]

Denver bearing service recommendations

So I watched a couple vids, seems pretty straight forward to diy. I’m considering that now. Probably going to go with Marion.

Welcome to additional input

I think he had a rough time filling orders a while ago, I’m not sure if that’s still the case. There’s a guy on TW that has them in stock usually or within a few days. I’ll look his username up. They are super easy to do if you’re mechanically inclined. Also if the noise goes away when turning right it’s most likely your left bearing going bad.

EDIT: Link to guy I was talking about.
Wheel Bearings & Hubs *** 4x4 *** PreRunner *** $165 ea - 3rd Gen | Tacoma World


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[4by4runr]

I think he had a rough time filling orders a while ago, I’m not sure if that’s still the case. There’s a guy on TW that has them in stock usually or within a few days. I’ll look his username up. They are super easy to do if you’re mechanically inclined. Also if the noise goes away when turning right it’s most likely your left bearing going bad.

EDIT: Link to guy I was talking about.
Wheel Bearings & Hubs *** 4x4 *** PreRunner *** $165 ea - 3rd Gen | Tacoma World


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Ok thanks for the heads up, I thought it was the bearing in the direction you steer that noise goes away. But it does sound like it’s coming from the left.

 

[Terminator03]

Ok thanks for the heads up, I thought it was the bearing in the direction you steer that noise goes away. But it does sound like it’s coming from the left.

Honestly, it’s best to just change both as a pair, even if only one is the problem. The other is most likely not far behind, so why not get it out of the way while you have all the tools out anyway? The only reason NOT to do both is if you are on a seriously tight budget or something like that.

 

[montijo505]

Denver bearing service recommendations

Ok thanks for the heads up, I thought it was the bearing in the direction you steer that noise goes away. But it does sound like it’s coming from the left.

It’s opposite I believe because when the body rolls it puts weight on the bad one and that’s why the noise goes away. So if turning right makes the noise go away, most likely left. I would replace both as a pair unless funds are an issue. Worth it as you are gonna save money on the labor as well. Only advice is to use a large flathead screw driver to pry it away from the spindle. Be patient it takes some working around the outside several times to get it all the way off. An extra set of hands comes in handy but not necessary.

EDIT: you can get the left wheel off the ground and see if there’s any play at 3 and 9 o clock. Check both. If there’s play, they need replacing.


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[4by4runr]

Does anyone have experience with the Napa combo?

 

[villaphoto]

Does anyone have experience with the Napa combo?

That's what I put on my 4runner a few months ago. Went on easy and I have about 15k on it so far with no issues. Took about 2 hours from start to finish to install.

 

[Terminator03]

Does anyone have experience with the Napa combo?

Don’t have direct experience “yet”, but I did find that Napa carries the factory Koyo bearings, so my plan is to buy those. I will reuse my existing hubs, since I need longer studs anyway because of my aftermarket wheels. I figure it’s not really worth it to buy new hubs, since I have to press everything apart anyway. The only advantage in buying new hubs is that I’d be able to fully assemble everything for an easy swap without the downtime of having to do all of the press work while the truck is apart.

 

[Burt]

Even though I've never had any repairs on my 2008 4runner, I use a good mechanic in Sedalia called Auto Alley.
He's (Brian) done great work on my F250.

 

[montijo505]

Don’t have direct experience “yet”, but I did find that Napa carries the factory Koyo bearings, so my plan is to buy those. I will reuse my existing hubs, since I need longer studs anyway because of my aftermarket wheels. I figure it’s not really worth it to buy new hubs, since I have to press everything apart anyway. The only advantage in buying new hubs is that I’d be able to fully assemble everything for an easy swap without the downtime of having to do all of the press work while the truck is apart.

The guy I linked above offers the full assembly with I think .5” longer studs as an option. In case you are interested in avoiding the pressing/down time.


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[foragg]

I think he had a rough time filling orders a while ago, I’m not sure if that’s still the case. There’s a guy on TW that has them in stock usually or within a few days. I’ll look his username up. They are super easy to do if you’re mechanically inclined. Also if the noise goes away when turning right it’s most likely your left bearing going bad.

EDIT: Link to guy I was talking about.
Wheel Bearings & Hubs *** 4x4 *** PreRunner *** $165 ea - 3rd Gen | Tacoma World


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Please do yourself a favor and DO NOT go with Marion. I did and they only lasted a Year. ONE YEAR. Sorry for the caps but I dont drive that much like 6K a year. Then when I tried to get service or help nothing but crickets. Stay away from them.

 

[AuSeeker]

I think he had a rough time filling orders a while ago, I’m not sure if that’s still the case. There’s a guy on TW that has them in stock usually or within a few days. I’ll look his username up. They are super easy to do if you’re mechanically inclined. Also if the noise goes away when turning right it’s most likely your left bearing going bad.

EDIT: Link to guy I was talking about.
Wheel Bearings & Hubs *** 4x4 *** PreRunner *** $165 ea - 3rd Gen | Tacoma World


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Does anyone have experience with the Napa combo?

For the guys that sell the bearing assemblies via the various Toyota forums, etc.
I would agree that the guy from Tacoma World would be the best seller and I have recommended him because as mentioned he usually has assemblies on hand ready to ship and he response/communicates quickly, the only caveat I would have with him is he only warranties his work to assemble the parts correctly but not the parts themselves from how I read his warranty, I was all ready to buy from him until I thought about that a bit more, now I'm going to be buying from NAPA, as mentioned they do sell the Koyo bearing but it just the bearing and carrier but not the hub and I don't want to have to press off my hub and press them back on the new bearings, not only do you need a 20 press but to do it correctly you also need the correct adapter plates for the press to avoid damaging the new bearing...but Napa offers a complete assembly...their Napa Solution line of parts which has a Limited Lifetime Warranty and I can get them locally and get them replaced if needed locally if needed, no shipping, etc.

I would much rather have the Koyo bearing but they are only warrantied for 12 months or 12,000 miles through Napa and I would still have to have them pressed on and no warranty at all through the guys selling on the forums

 

[4by4runr]

[MENTION=149207]AuSeeker[/MENTION] yeah I think I’m leaning the same direction as you. Even if it only lasts a year, if I have to replace it, it’s just my labor time.

 

[waypoint]

...Napa offers a complete assembly...their Napa Solution line of parts which has a Limited Lifetime Warranty and I can get them locally and get them replaced if needed locally if needed, no shipping, etc.

Looks like the NAPA part doesn't include the big O-ring, maybe also the ABS ring based on their pictures? And the hub bolts don't appear to have blue thread locker pre-applied like the Toyota ones.

I still agree this is a good option. NAPA has always honored their warranties in my 20+ years of wrenching, just bring them the dead part and receipt.

I just re-did my passenger front bearing due to a failed outboard seal, the one that presses into the interior side of the spindle. I'll put up a post w/ pics.