How much should it cost to rplace front wheel bearing on 04 Vue V6 FWD?

[Blue Goose]

Front left wheel is making the roaring noise that indicates bearing is shot...brought it to the Saturn dealer and he confirmed that the bearing is "pitted and noisy" Said "possible bearing is seized to knuckle which would cause bearing and knuckle to be replaced"

He said it was still safe to drive as there was no real play in the bearing but should be replaced....est $375 to replace the bearing and $585 if the bearing is seized to the knuckle and both need to be replaced.

Both of these sound really high to me cost wise...I'll do some comparison shopping at some local shops to get an idea...they also quoted $240 to replace the sway bar links and I know for a fact that they are 32 dollars apiece at Auto Zone and don't look all that difficult to replace.

In any event.....is it really safe to drive with the bearing sounding like that and any idea how much $$ a non dealer would charge?


Thanks



Goose

[newbievueowner]

These dealer mechanics make me laugh, they seem to instill a sense of fear in the general public to get them to spend big $$$$ on repairs.

How does he know the spline is siezed on without even disassembling it? Even if it is lightly corroded there are ways to get it off without too much difficulty.

Won't really hurt to drive with the bad bearing but it will sound like crap and probably be loud as heck.

[Chazberry]

In any event.....is it really safe to drive with the bearing sounding like that and any idea how much $$ a non dealer would charge?

A local Saturn shop recently quoted me $575 to do a front on my '03. I purchased a wheel hub ass'y w/ ABS from RockAuto for $112 incl. shipping. Btw - I drove a bad one for quite a while. End links are easy to do, as are the sway bar bushings.

[Blue Goose]

Is the hub assembly the whole deal? Knuckle and bearing? Difficulty in replacing?



Goose

[andyr13]

From what I understand the wheel hub assembly is the bearing and housing in a sealed unit. We are going through the same thing right now. The mechanics I have talked to have told me they are safe to drive on as long as the is no play in the wheel also. But I am getting it replaced this weekend. I know Auto Zone has them for $140 w/o ABS, don't remember how much they were with ABS. A buddy of mine said it shouldn't be a problem changing it out. We are taking it to his shop and doing it.

Most shops around here all wanted between $350 and $500 per wheel.

[Blue Goose]

Holy Carp...called 3 other places (Sullivan Tire-408, Pep Boys-367, Gurneys -470) and they are all more expensive than the dealer save Pep Boys!!


This looks like a pretty simple job save unless you need a puller I can't believe the pricing!!

Part is only like 120 from Rock Auto.....jeeesh



Goose

[Chazberry]

Is the hub assembly the whole deal? Knuckle and bearing?

A photo of what you get from RockAuto (Timken Part) on this thread . . .
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118267
The ABS version comes with that Wheel Speed Sensor.

[Blue Goose]

Did you replace the hub yourself with regualr tools?



Goose

[VTchemist]

I have had both front hubs replaced. One at the dealer$hip, and the other at a local mechanics shop. Parts for the 03 (AWD, ABS) was right at $240. They charged me $80 for labor.

The dealer$ship was a bit over $400.

[Blue Goose]

Thats a good deal....I think I will go with Sullivan Tire at 408..at least they use the Timken assembly which I've heard is better than the OEM..everything is going up in price I guess



Gooose

[Blue Goose]

Check that...going with a local shop...384 for parts and labor...National something or other brand from NAPA. He will also install the sway bar links that I was going to DIY for just labor charge...(bought already at Auto Zone)

Seems like a good guy to deal with




Goose

[newbievueowner]

If that's $384 for both sides including parts then that's a good deal. Doing wheel bearings is not hard at all.

[Blue Goose]

Nope..that is for 1 side only..I guess if I had the right tools it may be easy but I unfortunately don't and with it being my wifes car, I prefer not perfect my mechanics technique lol

Like anything else, you may not be paying for the work, you are paying for the knowledge behind the work

I'll do some investigating on how it is done so when the other one goes I can DIY



Goose

[newbievueowner]

You would be surprised to see how easy they are to do, no real special tools are required. Torque wrench, socket, breaker bar, hammer, chisel set, allen or torque drive set and a ratchet is pretty much all that is needed. I'm sure I'm missing a couple very small things but you get the idea. If you have a buddy that can fix this stuff get him to help you and show you how it's done. :)

[Blue Goose]

Job completed and he charged an additional 78 bucks to install the sway bar links...said it was a bear to get the bearing out as something about 2 different metals? Needed a heat gun or blowtorch to get it apart....

Said it took 2 hours to do but he only charged me for 1.3...I think I may have found a new local mechanic :


Goose

[andyr13]

said it was a bear to get the bearing out

That's quite the understatement!! :dizzy:

something about 2 different metals?

My friend said the same thing. The hub assembly is made of steel while the knuckle is make of aluminum.