1999 V70T5 front wheel bearing MTBF=150k, N=4

Post by **abscate** » 20 Apr 2014, 18:05

That's mean time between failures for you people with real lives...

I've put 2000 miles on the T5 slowly turning up Arethra Franklin to solve my growing growling left front wheel bearing. My question is, once I dive into to do the bearing I might so front struts too.

I have not yet committed to struts. I have no handling nor tire wear issues. I do have some noise from the front end but I'm 99% sure it's links. Both struts pass the nut test and shock test and ball joints are 30k old.

I'm at 150k, and want another 50k out of this car. It gets driven on good Roads for the most part.

Once I am doing struts, should I do the right hand side bearing while I've got the front end apart?

Or, in Car talk fashion...should I:

1. Just replace bad bearing
B. replace bad bearing and struts
(iii) Replace both bearings and struts.

Respectfully submitted for your consideration

SpeedyPete · Post by **SpeedyPete** » 20 Apr 2014, 18:50

Well I would go the option 2 route. 1 bearing hub and both struts and associated spring seats/additional parts needed. However if budget is not a concern then do it all and you should be good for another 100k miles. I have had to replace both front bearing hubs on my S70 but they failed about 40k miles between one another. The first at 120k and the second at 160k. Regards, SpeedyPete

Post by **kahl** » 20 Apr 2014, 18:56

I would just replace the growler bearing. quick and easy task. I would also have a spare dust seal that goes on the axle into the bearing hub.

Post by **mecheng** » 20 Apr 2014, 20:02

Who makes good bearings for these cars?

Post by **JDS60R** » 20 Apr 2014, 20:05

FAG bearings seem to hold up the best in my opinion/experience. They are from the Schaffler family (INA/FAG).

I would do both bearings and wait on the struts.

Post by **mecheng** » 20 Apr 2014, 20:16

JDS60R wrote:FAG bearings seem to hold up the best in my opinion/experience. They are from the Schaffler family (INA/FAG).

I would do both bearings and wait on the struts.

Is that the OEM one

Post by **JDS60R** » 20 Apr 2014, 20:20

Yes- they are the OEM

Post by **Ben850** » 21 Apr 2014, 07:26

SKF, FAG, INA.
Timken.
I had researched hubs for my '93, which are four lug configuration. The rear are hard to find for some reason.
I was fortunate to find someone on e-bay that had a set of FAG-four lug front hubs to let go.
I found out I did not need hubs. Just front tires luckily, but I have acquired both front and rear hub-bearings in the four lug configuration for my '93 850.

If the monetary timing were better, I would have bought five lug bearing-hubs, as a way to make the rotor and wheel choices greater for my '93.
There is also a place here in the Detroit area that actually is very respectable in price and quality.
It is not a Euro manufacturer, but has been doing it forever for international manufacturers.
I do not advertise, but Detroit is in their name as an e-bay seller. Axle may be another part. I do not know them personally, but Dearborn may also be involved in the name.

Wait, Dearborn Axle is worth a try. They build racks as well, but I have not yet needed that service.

For what it is worth.

Post by **jblackburn** » 21 Apr 2014, 11:24

+1 on the FAG bearings.

I have all-original bearings on the car @ 225K, save one that was replaced at 180K. I believe this is one thing that I would just go in and replace one and wait for the other to fail some time down the road.

Mine was not even entirely the bearing's fault - there were a couple lugs loose on one of the wheels that pulled it outwards - they don't like horizontal stress.

Post by **abscate** » 08 Jul 2014, 08:11

For those keeping score, I decided to replace the bad bearing and both struts. After doing my stab bar links, there was no way I could put these struts back on the car.

Parts on order