Wheel bearing

Eseventeen · Post by **Eseventeen** » Tue Apr 02, 2002 1:35 pm

Hi,

I took my '90 BRG into a testing station over the weekend for a WOF, and it
failed due to a worn wheel bearing. I then rang my mechanic who quoted me
$470 to do the job.

This sounds like a lot especially when you consider that the other one will
probably need doing as well, so can anyone advise me whether this price is
OK and whether this problem is normal for a car which has done 140,000 km's
?

Thanks in advance.

Tim

Mike Donovan · Post by **Mike Donovan** » Tue Apr 02, 2002 6:23 pm

Dont know about the '90, but if it's a front wheel, unlike nearly any other
car in the world you cant easily (if at all) replace the wheel bearings, you
have to buy a whole new hub assembly..last time I checked from Mazda retail
was about $430.00 ea. I checked yesterday repco have them for about $370.00
I think it was. You could probably find them cheaper if you looked around
but the price sounds about right..if it's the fronts. I've never checked
prices for the rears.

Mike

carl.halvorsen · Post by **carl.halvorsen** » Wed Apr 03, 2002 6:12 am

Thats way over the top, did they see you coming? A wheel bearing is a very
straight foward job. Replacing it yourself is in the realm of most DIYers.
Check out the price of the bearings at repco and make a decision.

Carl

Fletcher Blades · Post by **Fletcher Blades** » Wed Apr 03, 2002 7:36 am

Carl,

Are you speaking of specific MX-5 / Eunos Roadster experience, here?

Everything I've heard, is that the front wheel bearing of the MX-5 is
not a slip in ball/roller race like most cars, but the bearing is
integral to the whole front hub... making the price over $300 instead
of the more normal $20-$50 for most cars...

Fletch.

redwon · Post by **redwon** » Wed Apr 03, 2002 8:37 am

Are there any servicing requirements for the wheel bearings ie greasing or
are they
a sealed unit?
Steve

carl.halvorsen · Post by **carl.halvorsen** » Wed Apr 03, 2002 9:19 pm

Hi Fletcher,
Sorry not MX5 experince. I may of jumped the gun. Seems a silly idea to have
to replace the whole hub!

carl

SG & NA Fisk · Post by **SG & NA Fisk** » Wed Apr 03, 2002 10:28 pm

Fletch - can't the old bearing be drilled/pressed out and a new one put in -
Have been mucking round with cars for 30 years & never heard of such a rip
off! - As U say - usually a front bearing is 20 to $40 and a 15 min job to
replace.
Stevan

Fletcher Blades · Post by **Fletcher Blades** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 7:29 am

I've never had one in my hands for close examination, so I'd hate to
come across all knowledgable and then be found wrong...

But I believe that the body of the hub IS the outer race (rather than
having the race pressed into it).

The rear is more normal, you can press the old bearings out and fit
new ones.

Cool to hear Mazda is responsive to this list...

Fletch.

SG & NA Fisk · Post by **SG & NA Fisk** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 8:39 pm

Thanks Fletch - If I ever have to do one - quite likely with my mileage of
800Km /week - I would look at machining out the hub & pressing a race in.

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