Front wheel bearing issues

2000BlueJ

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Location
Hebron Maine
TDI
2000 Jetta
Driver side front is gone. Again. This will be #4 going in since I bought it in Feb 2011. I don't understand what's going on here. Would worn suspension have anything to do with it? I just did a complete refresh yesterday but before that they were pretty worn. Ball joints, tie rods, LCAs are solid too. Stock Montreal 16's with stock tire size until tomorrow but only going to 215/60's. I can't think of anything that would cause this, every other bearing was pressed in straight and torqued with new nuts using the proper procedure. I'm getting pretty pissed that I'll be up to $200 in bearings on one corner. If anyone has any thoughts or what else to check any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 

Seatman

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 23, 2010
Location
Scotland
TDI
2014 Skoda rapid elegance 1.6 cr tdi
Something wrong with the hub maybe, incorrect install, bad batch of bearings, I've not had that much bad luck even with cheap chinese ones.
 

2000BlueJ

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Location
Hebron Maine
TDI
2000 Jetta
Guess I'll just have to order another one and hope for the best. Its not like they fail only a gee weeks later the last one was put in in December, the one before that was April or may I think.
 

davebugs

Vendor
Joined
Sep 15, 2003
Location
Pittsburgh suburb
TDI
2001 Golf TDI Automatic, MKIV rear axle bushing install tools
I'd replace the whole stub at this point.

You've got something causing those bearings to go bad.

I get over 100k easy out of the FAG's I get from folks here for front and rear.
 

ritsco

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2005
Location
Northeastern CT
TDI
2015 TDI GSW SEL and 2006 Golf TDI GLS
Replace the whole hub assembly. The wear on the hub may not be readily identifiable, but the hub could be shot and causing the bearings to fry.
 

Corsair

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2003
Location
Weedsport, New York
TDI
2002 Jetta GLS TDI 5M
Just covering the bases... Have you in the past replaced one or more front wheel bearings on same type car, with good results ? Is it possible maybe the same (procedural) problem is being repeated, just not realizing it? Honest mistakes do happen.
 

BobnOH

not-a-mechanic
Joined
May 29, 2004
Location
central Ohio
TDI
New Beetle 2003 manual
ruling out improper install (they are a bit tricky), something else is bad, hub, spindle, I've not done this repair. I had this happen on my '81 Ford pick-up, the spindle was junk from the factory (KC USA)
 
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