3rd set of wheel bearings in less than 6 months!!!

[Jcomnislash]

K guys, i need some serious advice, i got ALL my wheel bearings changed about 6 monthes ago...about 5 weeks later my front right bearing blew out...got that fixed....about two weeks ago, the same stinkin' bearing started making a "dry" sound, it sounds as if there is no grease in that bearing....and than last night, my rear right bearing blew out..and my wheel almost flew off....and now i need a new spindle cuz that one got eaten away....i spent $800 to get ALL the bearings changed and also got a lower ball joint replaced. now i need another new ball joint (opposite side) and new spindle, cap, and more bearings...anyone got any ideas, i dont wanna keep going back to the shop every 3 months and spends hordes of money on bearings.

my car:
91 140000 kilometers (not sure how many miles that is)
it has no mods at all, cept sound system

i live in brampton, ontario, canada

I drive about 100 kms a day.

suggestions??????????

[Dave G]

Sounds like you need a different shop to go to...

[neanderpaul]

Sounds like the mechanic's fault. Did he overtighten the nut?

[neanderpaul]

I'd go back and lean on him to fix it right and give you what you paid for the first time.

[Jcomnislash]

well, the first time i went back, i didnt have to pay nuttin to get the new bearings replaced.....this time however, cuz the spindle is busted and i need a new ball joint, i gotta pay....I'm not sure if they tightened it too much or not...they've been my dad's mechanics for like 10 years, and they've never screwed em over....i'm starting to think its the bearings quality thats bad...i know that not all bearings are made equal, but c'mon//..can they be this bad?

[hotrodin4me]

i replaced front bearings yesterday,cost was 112 per side the nut on the axcel as to be set at 200 to 220 ft. lbs or the bearing will not last. got that info from my ford dealer. hope that helps

[Jcomnislash]

hmmm...i assume a dealer would know what he's talking about...i guess i gotta ask the shop about how much pressure they've installed these bearings at...

thanks man, i appreciate that tip!

[Jcomnislash]

i just read that festiva's bearings are tightened @ 145 ft. lbs here:

http://vsmus-origin.skf.com/Files/Brochures_in_PDF/457377.pdf

anyone have a festiva manual that would have this info? (i aint got one)

[Fordverde]

Guys, I spend $9.00 on each rear bearing, and almost $20.00 for each of the front, I tought that in the US parts were cheaper

[Jcomnislash]

www.rockauto.com i wish i lived in the states...EVERYTHING is cheaper there

[monkeyracing]

I would wonder about a couple of things. 1. Is he using the correct preload spacer between the bearings? 1. Is he torquing them correctly? 3. Is he actually loading the bearings up with grease, or just installing them out of the box?

Torque on the halfshaft attaching nut is 116-174 ft/lbs. Hub must spin freely after tightening. If the attaching nut is damaged, even slightly, during installation, a new nut must be used.

[Jcomnislash]

wow, i've read so many different suggestions on the amount of ft. lbs. to use.....about that spacer though, wouldnt the spacer thats alreadys be in there be good enough>??...sorry if that sounds ignorant...

[monkeyracing]

Yup, everyone's got a different idea about how to do things. I just go by the book and hope for the best.

The spacer that came with the car should work fine, unless it got lost or damaged, or the bearing specs changed.

[roycehof]

The tolerance on the bearings are held pretty tight - You should be find using the old spacer. It is more of a "feel" thing than an exact science. You want some minor resistance but you shouldn't have to work to spin the hub. Basically, an experienced mechanic should know when they feel correct. I suspect they may be "hogging" down the nut like they do on most cars without realizing they are affeected the hub bearings. Have them re-do them and torque to around 145 ft-lb and you should be "good to go".
Another thing to be concerned about is that they don't interchange the spacer. The spacer is to allow for variance in the hub machining and is not intended for bearing race differences.

[Jcomnislash]

yeah, that makes sense, cuz i remember the back wheel being "kinda hard" to spin when i jacked up the car a couple months back. Looks like I'm gonna be doing a lil questioning...thanks for the tips guys..if anyone has any more please feel free to share