Replacement wheel bearings

Hi all, I tried to post this in the original thread but the forum wouldn't let me because of my low post count so here I am. Referencing the link below I ask the following:

Wheel Bearings & Hubs Press Service *** OE NSK *** | Page 113 | Tacoma World

Pardon my naiveté, but what sets these bearings apart from cheaper aftermarket replacements? I'm seeing some sets for half the price. Seriously asking as I need to do all 4 of mine so it's going to be a chunk of change. Also why are pre-runner bearings more expensive than 4x4? Aren't pre-runners less complicated?

Having an intermittent ABS light and while replacing the speed sensors I discovered grease/goo on 3 of the 4 sensors. My sources tell me that means it's time for wheel bearings and axle seals for the rear. Got an 06 prerunner with 200k so from what I read it sounds like they're due. Consensus?

Looking for decent bearings to install. Planning on doing the fronts myself, and removing the axle shafts on the rear and taking them to a local shop. We'll see how it works out.

Thanks all!

 

The bearings and the attention to detail on assembly.
That's what sets them apart.

You know you are getting REAL not counterfeit bearings.
And they are hand built by a guy that has been doing them for many years.

BTW, the rear bearings are NO FUN.
You have to press the old ones off, and the new ones on.
A shop press and jig are needed. (In case you didn't know)

 

You can buy OEM bearings at your dealership and have them pressed on at a local shop too.

 

i just did rear bearings on a '02 Tacoma. I had a press already and the SST/tool is another $80. the rest of it was not bad, but did involve a lot of wrangling the shaft in and out of the press and lining up the sealing surface properly.

I did lookup the 2nd gen rear bearings and they look slightly easier, but you still need to have the special tool and a large press. Definitely not the average DIY job.

 

It's more of the service and knowing what bearings you're getting. If you are DIY-ing pressing the bearings yourself just grab some KOYO or Toyota bearings. If you don't have the press tooling then jump on the service. I have 343k miles on my truck, put one set of his bearings in with another set sitting in the garage for the next time.

 

For the rear wheel bearings I got a koyo one and a carquest bearing on one side. the koyo one is the same bearing as oem. unfortunately I ordered the wrong one and had to get one from the parts store hopefully it lasts! I haven’t touched the front wheel bearings.

 

Ahh gotcha.

Anyone wanna weigh in on my diagnosis?

 

For the rear bearings, you'll need to let us know what lead you to the diagnose that the bearings need to be replaced, other than the age of the truck and mileage? Noise, axle seals leaking (gear oil running into the brakes), what are the symptoms?

Front bearing replacement is more common....I am assuming you have tested the front bearings for play/noise and have conlcuded they need to be replaced. Some decennt threads on here on how to test the front bearings if you haven't found them already.

 

So far that's it. Could be a little noisy but I have no other Tacoma experience to compare it with.

 

If the only symptom you have is grease/goo on the speed sensors, I don't think that warrants replacing the bearings, front or rear. To me, grease/goo on the spead sensors isn't a solid indication the bearings are bad.

Here is a thread what to look for/test for the front bearings: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-diagnose-front-wheel-bearing-failure-2nd-gen.332548/

Here is a thread about the rear bearings: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-diagnose-a-bad-wheel-bearing.747783/

 

I'll look into those thanks! What does grease and/or goo on the speed sensors mean to you?

 

Could just be dielectric grease used to keep water out of the connections.

 

On a 20 year old truck, could just be accumulation of crud. On the front, could be a CV boot lead go at some point and sprayed grease everywhere. Maybe a bad rear axle seal if you have oil leaking into the rear drum brakes too.