My car is generating some horrible noise from the front right suspension somewhere when the car moves, I took the wheel off and everything seemed in order. It squeals ever once in a while but usually just sounds like a fork in a kitchen disposal. I called Honda seeing what replacement would cost, $360!!! Holy f*ckin' rapage Batman! The guy on the phone tried to explain how Honda bearings were some kind of uber-bearing and how it was alot of work to do the job. My '90 Camaro cost $90. How different could this be? I have the Helm's Manual but I'll be the first to say that I think I'm in over my head on this one. The OEM bearing is $180, I try to always use Honda genuine parts but does anyone make a decent one that is less expensive (i.e. Autozone?)?

 

Replacing the Front hub/bearing assembly is no joke. Most shops will stick it to you because it's such a pain in the ***... You have to take off more than the wheel to inspect it.

For most Civics, the Front hub/bearing assy is not a "sealed" component (you have to "seal" it yourself), whereby the assy for the rear is. Furthermore, the front hub usually gets stuck to the rotor, and replacement often requires the removal of the steering knuckle. For those equipped with OTC's HubTamer (or similar, ~$325), this process may be made easier.

Either way, it's going to be a tough bullet to bite. Most DIY'ers don't have the equipment to properly seat any associated bearings, races, clips or seals. While the Haynes Manual lightly glosses the subject, it still recommends getting your hubs serviced by pros. If you have the Helm Inc manual, you might have better luck, but they still recommend the use of some uncommon DIY tools.

The Hub/Bearing Assy is one of the most critical components for a car's drivability. If you are hearing the clicking of your hubs when you start to move, and it goes away as you gain speed, or if they make noise every time you turn, definitely do something about this. You don't want your hubs to seize while driving... not fun

Let us know how things turn out.
JasonGhostz


Modified by JasonGhostz at 8:38 PM 9/22/2005

 

JasonGhostz is correct. If you have replace axles before, then I would suggest getting the parts from http://www.majestichonda.com, remove your knuckels and take them to someone who can press your new ones in. You are still going to have to pay for an hour worth of labor. Good luck.

 

Most commonly, it is the bearing that needs to be replaced (for the front). If your bearing was damaged by/with your hub assembly, then you will need to replace both. Check the inner surface of the hub assy and bearing (the inner and outter diameters) for scoring or fouling. Also check the mating surface of the steering knuckle. The bearing will run around $45-60, and the hub assy will run around $100-130 (for a single wheel).

If you are adventurous enough, you might be able to order some of the "Special Tools" listed in your Helm manual directly from a Honda dealer. You have to do some major googling to find them, and even more searching to find one who can sell you something. If time is a concern or you don't want to go through the pain, you'll probably have to take it to the shop.

I've been looking on eBay at those cheap (~$40, shipped) bearing/seal kits. It's basically a rod used to drive circular plates with a mallet or hammer. These plates are assumably sized to fit bearings, races, and seals for commonly driven cars. If anyone has used them or is considering doing so, please share your experiences...

But it's a major PITA, with no easy way around it... I would think that even shop workers would prefer to take their cars to other pros when their hubs go...

How many miles on these hubs? What kind of driving? Just curious for trivial reasons.

I hope things go as smoothly and inexpensively as possible ,
JasonGhostz

PS - Grease is the word. Dry hubs = The hub/bearing is one of the most neglected crucial components of a vehicle (imo). They basically operate on faith, and most driving citizens aren't made aware of them until they go bad. Since it's a tough component to access, make sure that it's got plenty of slick to roll. If you ever have to take off your rotors for replacement or resurfacing (another infrequent occurrence), it might be a good time to get them rechecked. Grease is the word.


Modified by JasonGhostz at 8:41 PM 9/22/2005

 

I am st00pid for my typo in the title.

So do you think that the dealer means bearing and hub for 180? Or just the bearing?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CaptivaBlue &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am st00pid for my typo in the title.</TD></TR></TABLE>
lol It still made sense to me.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CaptivaBlue &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So do you think that the dealer means bearing and hub for 180? Or just the bearing?</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's tough to say how a dealer prices things out. They generally try to replace as many parts as they can. $180 from a Honda Dealership for the front bearing AND hub assy is actually a pretty good price (around where I live). Just ask them and make sure. You will likely be able to buy less expensive replacement parts from a reputable online store (saving about 10-20%), but from a local Honda Dealership that will be doing the work, it's a (I would think they would charge more). No matter where you go, try to ask for your old parts to make sure they replace them with what you paid for.

Anyway, just be careful driving for a while, especially when making a turn with the problem wheel on the outside. Let us know how things go.
JasonGhostz

 

Grease is the word

Hmmmm, Is this a song to a movie??? hehehehe