Aftermarket front wheel bearing assemblies - any of them worthy as replacements?

[89Z51]

Curious if anyone else has experiences (good or bad) with aftermarket replacements. The factory assemblies are quite pricy and I don't necessarily need something that will run another 70K miles, as I hope to be moving to an updated Vette before that. However, I bought one set of replacements from Mid-America and the bearings started howling after about 25K miles. Now, one of the two "no-name" replacements I bought to finish out the driving season has excessive play (after 2K miles!). Do I need to cough up for the OEM components (which are probably coming from China by now as well), or is there another good quality option?

 

[boomdriver]

even the cheapo hub sets should go 10,000 miles...

There are so many and so many mixed reviews due to mixed use that its a tough call. I go strictly by price and who/where sells them. Evem MA and other catalog stores offer the economy grade or the OEM bearing.

There is a difference and you truely get what you pay for,. I would'nt install a bearing that cost less than $125. Lots of them out there sell for $75.,...thats a sure sign of inpending failure.

Something else, the way they are installed matters as well. The torque on the spindle nut is important. Too loose and the bearing inner race can move and that creates excessive wear. Too tight and the race can be damaged. The use of the thrust washer against that inner race is advised but the proper torque is more important as far as I'm concerned.

 

[raidoman]

wheel bearing replacements

I paid the long buck for OE replacements from Mid America and have had no regrets after several years of driving. I would stay away from the China cheapies - you will just wind up doing the job over again. Not to mention you life depends on those bearings not coming unglued.