Rear wheel bearings

[packetstormin]

Anyone ever heard of the brand Centric? They make brake parts but also they make bearings. I will be replacing my rear wheel bearings this weekend and I cant bring myself to pay 60 to 80 bucks a pop for wheel bearings.

The other brand I am considering is the ATM brand from Napa.

 

[NorCalBorn]

KOYO/NACHI FTW!

IMHE w/ Centric(Centrix) they suck same as their rotors. Spring for the factory bearings, $ well spent.

They're ~$50 per side via Marlin's Shop and it's only ~$65 per side for the full kit before $S/H$.

It's your money, but at least w/ Marlin the price is very competitive and you'd be supporting someone who gives so much back to all of us.

*I didn't bother to verify their indstock b/c honestly I am not calling or bugging someone there 'til Monday, and the lead time to your location (PHX, AZ?) might be a factor.

Call them: (559)25-CRAWL

If you prefer to support our humble Mud sponsors, call up CDan or Beno!

 

[packetstormin]

Any thoughts on the ATM brand? They are supposed to be re-branded Koyo bearings.

 

[NorCalBorn]

Any thoughts on the ATM brand? They are supposed to be re-branded Koyo bearings.

ATM

KOYO. That's like saying a Great Wall Safe is a re-badged 4Runner/HiluxSurf. Most know ATM as the base level set of bearings they get for a skateboard wheel. Honestly they should stick with that, too many issues to list and not worth my ranting any more over.

Here's a good read to reference: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/18310-wheel-bearings-timken-koyo-vs-skf-bca-beck-etc.html

**
Beno=
Onur
Parts Manager
LHM Toyota of Albuquerque
505.332.6508

C'Dan=
CruiserDan
PartsManager
LHM/AmericanToyota
505.823.4440

Ask if they'll fight over prices!
(I know you know who those two are, I just put it in here for the Mini Crowd to learn about.)

 

[liveoak]

Anyone ever heard of the brand Centric? They make brake parts but also they make bearings. I will be replacing my rear wheel bearings this weekend and I cant bring myself to pay 60 to 80 bucks a pop for wheel bearings.

The other brand I am considering is the ATM brand from Napa.

i am assuming you have a press to remove/install those bearings. as far as i remember i had to take mine to a machine shop.

 

[packetstormin]

Nope gonna pound it off on the ground like in this write up...

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/rear_axle/wheel_bearing/shadetree.jpg

 

[NorCalBorn]

Nope gonna pound it off on the ground like in this write up...

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/rear_axle/wheel_bearing/shadetree.jpg

[Walks away from the thread for the night smiling/laughing.]

Try to aim ahead of your toes when ya do try it.

 

[fjfodee]

If you buy ATM bearings from NAPA, they ARE Koyo's. ATM is just a distribution company, they don't make anything.

 

[Sam Stewart]

If you buy ATM bearings from NAPA, they ARE Koyo's. ATM is just a distribution company, they don't make anything.

We've had to get bearings from places like O'Reilly or AutoZone for cars/trucks in the shop before and I'm surprised how many times they were Koyo or Timken. In reality there are only a few companies that actually make the bearings. They are just rebranded and sold in all kinds of different packaging.

All that said, you should just buy the factory ones from me!

 

[snobdds]

Nope gonna pound it off on the ground like in this write up...

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/rear_axle/wheel_bearing/shadetree.jpg

Just cut the retainer off, it's a lot easier.

Bearings are one area it's best to get quality. If the ATM bearings don't have KOYO on the side of it...its not a KOYO. My NAPA ATM's are not KOYO, but that does not mean your's isn't.

Good luck with the project.

 

[KLF]

My advice:

1. Swapping those bearings is a huge PITA. Don't be cheap. How long did your OEM ones last? Mine lasted over 200K, I swapped them out "just cuz" when I did my RDB swap. Call Lowe and get the real thing. Done.

2. I tried that "pound on the ground" trick once. I thought I was gonna have a stroke. Those bearings are ON THERE. And cutting that retainer ring off is a good way to put a nick in your axle shaft, which will result in the shaft snapping on you when you're out in BFE and no spare parts. I made a jig for pressing the stuff apart, so much safer. But I'll tell ya, it really strains my 20T press getting them to pop apart sometimes.

 

[liveoak]

Nope gonna pound it off on the ground like in this write up...

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/rear_axle/wheel_bearing/shadetree.jpg

i looked at this link and i can clearly see a press in the background. he might be removing them that way but what about pressing the new ones on?

 

[Sam Stewart]

My advice:

1. Swapping those bearings is a huge PITA. Don't be cheap. How long did your OEM ones last? Mine lasted over 200K, I swapped them out "just cuz" when I did my RDB swap. Call Lowe and get the real thing. Done.

2. I tried that "pound on the ground" trick once. I thought I was gonna have a stroke. Those bearings are ON THERE. And cutting that retainer ring off is a good way to put a nick in your axle shaft, which will result in the shaft snapping on you when you're out in BFE and no spare parts. I made a jig for pressing the stuff apart, so much safer. But I'll tell ya, it really strains my 20T press getting them to pop apart sometimes.

i looked at this link and i can clearly see a press in the background. he might be removing them that way but what about pressing the new ones on?

A press is def required to put the new bearings on. We have a 20T press as well and it takes a LOT of pressure to get those bearings on. Also, depending on the truck you do need a special adapter to "hold" the axle basically. The Toyota special tools actually bolt onto the axle and hold it in the press. You can def get around it but it makes the job much easier of you have it or something like it.

 

[fjfodee]

A press is def required to put the new bearings on. We have a 20T press as well and it takes a LOT of pressure to get those bearings on. Also, depending on the truck you do need a special adapter to "hold" the axle basically. The Toyota special tools actually bolt onto the axle and hold it in the press. You can def get around it but it makes the job much easier of you have it or something like it.

I made one out of a spare rear axle housing.

Works great!

 

[NorCalBorn]

My NAPA ATM's are not KOYO, but that does not mean your's isn't.

That. Check the facing/leading edge of the bearings. I've even seen the outers non-O/E and inners Koyo. All or nothing in my book.

 

[liveoak]

here is the link to the procedure packetstormin was referring to Toyota Maintenance: Replacing Rear Wheel Bearings and Seals

it looks like the author suggests using a hammer and a pipe as one method of installing the new bearing. i guess it could work but it doesn't seem worth it as the chance to damage the new bearing is too great.

 

[KLF]

Yup, that's exactly what my setup looks like, I have that same orange 20T press from Harbor Fright. I also made up a collar for pressing the new bearing back on.

 

[Sam Stewart]

I made one out of a spare rear axle housing.

Works great!

That's actually what the Toyota special tool looks like. It's like a shortened axle tube (about 2' long) with flanges on both ends to facilitate different setups.

 

[packetstormin]

So where can I buy the sst?

 

[packetstormin]

Do you guys like nsk wheel bearings?