What is the hub and bearing of choice?

[dkad260]

2012 XL Denali AWD, 120K, just starting to get the faint grit feeling in the wheel and barely noticeable tire noise like the infamous worn bearing, mud tire sound but again..barely perceivable.

Tires are good, Defender LTX, this sounds like a bearing starting to show it's bad face.

RA has the GM OE as well as the Timken, with the Timken at a lower price.

I've had good luck with Timken in the past, but not sure of their quality now.

I could save $100 with the Timkens, but if they are inferior I might just go for OE.

What's the consensus here?

 

[OR VietVet]

I would use either one.

 

[Foggy]

Timkens are good.. They 'may' even be who builds them for GM
For $100 diff, I'd do the timkens myself.

 

[Geotrash]

Timkens are good.. They 'may' even be who builds them for GM
For $100 diff, I'd do the timkens myself.

+1.

 

[dkad260]

Replaced both front hub and bearings a few days ago with the Timkens, quite the difference. The RF had the most wear, the LF felt ok but that faint sense of tire noise is gone.

 

[me51]

If the Timken box says Made in USA they're good, if it says Made in China just return them.

 

[dkad260]

If the Timken box says Made in USA they're good, if it says Made in China just return them.

That was one thing I did check for, thanks for the heads up.

 

[swathdiver]

That was one thing I did check for, thanks for the heads up.


View attachment 399405

Where did you get them?

 

[dkad260]

Where did you get them?

Rock Auto

 

[Fomoodie]

2012 XL Denali AWD, 120K, just starting to get the faint grit feeling in the wheel and barely noticeable tire noise like the infamous worn bearing, mud tire sound but again..barely perceivable.

Tires are good, Defender LTX, this sounds like a bearing starting to show it's bad face.

RA has the GM OE as well as the Timken, with the Timken at a lower price.

I've had good luck with Timken in the past, but not sure of their quality now.

I could save $100 with the Timkens, but if they are inferior I might just go for OE.

What's the consensus here?

Timkens are made in China. Pay the extra bucks and get OEM. I’ve tried every bearing, by far OEM is best choice. There is a Kryptonite Company giving lifetime warranty on bearings but they’re not cheap…

 

[dkad260]

Timkens are made in China. Pay the extra bucks and get OEM. I’ve tried every bearing, by far OEM is best choice. There is a Kryptonite Company giving lifetime warranty on bearings but they’re not cheap…

I agree OEM is the way to go, but...since they are installed, I'm going to keep on rollin... I have had good luck with Timken in the past, but this is my first swap on a GMT900.


I did verify the QR code and they were authentic. Also, since the boxes didn't have the holographic security seal as I remember in years past, I called Timken to further verify and they said they don't use the sticker anymore, at least for my bearings.

 

[Geotrash]

I installed a Carquest hub recently. It was made in Korea, which I believe is also where the OEM hubs are made. Same factory? Dunno, but it's a well-finished part and no problems with the tone ring so far.

 

[mikez71]

I had read somewhere that Timken and SKF were OE suppliers.

I got SKF x-trackers recommended by someone on the board (made in Korea). They are not OEM design, but are supposed to have less deflection, yet they are not made for heavy duty trucks. Reading here (https://www.cadillacforums.com/threads/upgraded-front-wheel-bearings-skf-x-tracker.233892/), it sounds like they maybe better for cornering loads, but I'm guessing the ball bearings can't take as much weight/abuse as the original roller bearings.

Sounds like the same/similar design as these

KRYPTONITE LIFETIME WARRANTY WHEEL BEARING 2007-2013

KRYPTONITE LIFETIME WARRANTY WHEEL BEARING 6 LUG 2007 -2013 Fits; 2007-2013 GM 1/2 Ton Trucks 6 Lug. Chevy / GMC 1500 Also 2014 Escalade, Yukon, Suburban, and Tahoe Part# KR6301 Our wheel bearings are the highest quality replacements available. Exclusively from Kryptonite and designed to handle...

kryptoniteproducts.com

Figured I'd try 'em out, only time will tell..

 

[swathdiver]

SKF for 4WD GMT900 is BR930661. My brain can't figure out which is for our RWDs.

 

[swathdiver]

If the Timken box says Made in USA they're good, if it says Made in China just return them.

That was one thing I did check for, thanks for the heads up.


View attachment 399405

Timkens are made in China. Pay the extra bucks and get OEM. I’ve tried every bearing, by far OEM is best choice. There is a Kryptonite Company giving lifetime warranty on bearings but they’re not cheap…

I agree OEM is the way to go, but...since they are installed, I'm going to keep on rollin... I have had good luck with Timken in the past, but this is my first swap on a GMT900.


I did verify the QR code and they were authentic. Also, since the boxes didn't have the holographic security seal as I remember in years past, I called Timken to further verify and they said they don't use the sticker anymore, at least for my bearings.

Amazon says made in China, bought one anyway the other day and it just arrived:



Made in USA baby!