The rear wheel bearings on my 98 dx hatch started making noise last year so I changed them and the noise went away. after about 1 year and 15k miles later, they have started making noise again and its much worse this time. I'm wondering why are they getting such an unusual wear? Could alignment be a factor in this?

 

did you put a cheap bearing in it? I wouldnt use anything besides a National bearing or an oem bearing. We put those cheap *** parts house brand bearings in at work and we warranty them out all the time....What did you torque the bearing nut to?

 

I don't exactly remember the torque specs. the bearing brand was NTN which I got from http://fap99.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q...+Wheel&mode=PA

any experience with those?

 

should be ok, most non-oem bearings are fine, most problems arise from user/installer error or out of spec equipment, such as too wide rims, wrong offset, etc.

 

I say it's always best to go with factory OEM parts. And lube those bearings up ! lol

 

NSK and NTN bearings are best for most Honda/Acura models. There is a known issue with water ingress into those bearings through the dust cap, where it seals to the hub. Preload (achieved with torque) is the most important thing. Toe can have an effect, but wheel offset, camber and tire size are the biggest factors. Wheel offset changes the axis that that loads the bearing.

 

thanks. I'm still trying to figure out whats causing this. only thing that might be out is the toe, everything else is normal. I don't want to keep putting a new bearing every year..