J/Y bearings - worth the effort?

[dougman]

Hi all, I'm a long time lurker, just recently decided to join and hopefully contribute to the boards. Let me start by saying that you all rock! I have gotten tons of great info just by searching threads.

 

Anyway, I need to replace the rear bearings on my '96 regal GS. What do you all think about going to the local pick and pull to search out a cheap set? (I'd rather buy brand new bearings, but the budget is just too tight right now.)

 

Has anyone done this? with what kind of results?

 

Thanks for the input

 

 

[RareGMFan]

Parts like that are NOT worth buying off another 12 year old car like yours. Chances of it lasting much longer (if it's not already toast) are not very good. Then you're right back to square one, difference being you're also out the money you spent on the junkyard ones. Save up and buy new.

[Pontiac6KSTEAWD]

I say just the opisit. I have had good luck with rear wheel bearings from junkyards. Its currently whats on my TGP, from a 92 Cutty Vert with 78000 miles (if memory serves me right). Look around at a yard, look at the tires and see if they are wore evenly, without rivering or alot of side wall gashing. Then rock the tire upwards, downwards, and side to side. Any movement at all. move on to the next donor. My local yard charges 5 bucks for them. its well worth the money saved.

[TurboSedan]

seems alot of people have problems with new wheel bearings from places like NAPA, Checker etc, ecspecially for 2nd GEN W-bodies it seems. i'd try used myself. i have before and didn't have a problem.

[Crazy K]

always check them out, but used ones can be good ones.

[Brian P]

find a car with lower mileage and even better if it was totalled by a front collision.

[GOT2B GM]

Look for ones that look like they were replaced shortly before being sent to the j/y.

[rockfangd]

i agree with all of the above. I prefer on that has been in a collision also. i seem to have more luck

[Andrew]

take the tire off and try to move the hub side to side by hand. if it has ANY play, move on. even 1mm of play will make noise.

[dougman]

Thanks for the input. I'm convinced its worth the time/effort to save the money. I'll let you all know how this turns out as soon as I get over to parts galore.

[GutlessSupreme]

In my experience my our wheel bearings, GM is pretty much the only way to go. I know AZ carries Timkin, but I've never tried those. But stay the hell away from any of the crap on ebay or any of the other parts store stuff.

 

I bought two j/y hubs for the front of my Cutlass, they're doing fine. Check them with wheels on if you can so you can shake them easier (off the ground obviously). As everyone said, just find a lower mileage car and you should be good for a while.