Bad Timken Hub Asembly?

[gmartin1215]

Hi.

I recently purchased two new Timken SP500301 hub assemblies for my 2009 Tahoe LT. Unboxing both hub assemblies, I noticed some grease around the area where the sensor wire attaches to the hub. Both hub assemblies are doing this and I provided a picture of one of them. Is it normal to expect something like this coming from the box? I wouldn't think so and would expect this area to be clean. Please, let me know if you think this may be a problem.
Also, one hub assembly has what looks like burn marks or where the metal overheated near a couple of places where the wheel stud is attached. I attached some pictures. Again, I would not expect this for a new part.
Anyway, I mostly want to know if these parts are OK to use, or if you would return them for another set.

 

[Foggy]

I'm on the fence like you on that...
If you purchased locally, I think I'd exchange them for a diff set..
If you did online, IDK, could be a PITA

 

[gmartin1215]

I'm on the fence like you on that...
If you purchased locally, I think I'd exchange them for a diff set..
If you did online, IDK, could be a PITA

I got them from Amazon, so the return is not too bad, except for the wait time. But, hoping to avoid that if this is only some sloppy assembly work

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I got them from Amazon, so the return is not too bad, except for the wait time. But, hoping to avoid that if this is only some sloppy assembly work

Hmm. Amazon, eh? I'd return and order from Rock Auto. Here's what mine looked like. Never known Timken to be sloppy.

 

[thompsoj22]

IMO return them both, There is so much "CHINA CRAP COPY" infiltrating our supply system and amazon is a "Dealer" in "CHINA PRODUCTS". As advised above, Purchase OEM from a reputable source such as rockauto.

 

[gmartin1215]

Hmm. Amazon, eh? I'd return and order from Rock Auto. Here's what mine looked like. Never known Timken to be sloppy.

View attachment 278321 View attachment 278322

Thanks. Unfortunately, I can't order from Rock Auto. They won't ship to my location because they would have to pay state and city taxes separately.

 

[gmartin1215]

IMO return them both, There is so much "CHINA CRAP COPY" infiltrating our supply system and amazon is a "Dealer" in "CHINA PRODUCTS". As advised above, Purchase OEM from a reputable source such as rockauto.

The parts were tamped with Timken and Made in USA. I can't order anything from Rock AUto because they won't ship to my location - they won't pay the state and city tax seperate.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Thanks. Unfortunately, I can't order from Rock Auto. They won't ship to my location because they would have to pay state and city taxes separately.

That sucks. You're not the only one here that has that situation. Got a friend or family member that you could ship to?

 

[gmartin1215]

Is ordering from Summit as good as Rock Auto?

 

[gmartin1215]

That sucks. You're not the only one here that has that situation. Got a friend or family member that you could ship to?

Maybe. I have been considering that option. Unless Summit is a good alternative.

 

[gmartin1215]

Hmm. Amazon, eh? I'd return and order from Rock Auto. Here's what mine looked like. Never known Timken to be sloppy.

View attachment 278321 View attachment 278322

Does your's have grease residue around where the sensor wire attaches to the hub? See one of the pictures I posted of the wire attachment. Both of the ones I got are like this.

 

[swathdiver]

Grease looks cooked and should not be there.

 

[Monz11]

So, correct me if I am wrong, but when do you usually replace the hubs? I have 12 and have rebuilt the engine, new brakes, booster, rotors, pads, lines, and master cylinder. why should I or shouldn't I replace the hubs? Mine dont look worn, or it at a specific mileage recommended replacement?

Thanks for the advice, I'm still learning all this gear head thing

 

[Geotrash]

Is ordering from Summit as good as Rock Auto?

Yes. I've had great luck with parts I've bought from Summit.

 

[Geotrash]

So, correct me if I am wrong, but when do you usually replace the hubs? I have 12 and have rebuilt the engine, new brakes, booster, rotors, pads, lines, and master cylinder. why should I or shouldn't I replace the hubs? Mine dont look worn, or it at a specific mileage recommended replacement?

Thanks for the advice, I'm still learning all this gear head thing

You will usually hear a hub that's starting to go, but not always. It's a roaring sound that gets louder over time. I also check mine whenever I have the wheels in the air, or at least once a year. To check them all you have to do is raise a wheel in the air, grab it at the 12 and 6 o'clock position (not the 9 and 3) with your hands, and try to wiggle it. If there is play then you likely have a worn hub that's due for replacement.

 

[Sparksalot]

So, correct me if I am wrong, but when do you usually replace the hubs? I have 12 and have rebuilt the engine, new brakes, booster, rotors, pads, lines, and master cylinder. why should I or shouldn't I replace the hubs? Mine dont look worn, or it at a specific mileage recommended replacement?

Thanks for the advice, I'm still learning all this gear head thing

Mine were loose enough to feel the slop when the tire was off the ground. I’d say mileage, not just age. Theothertwin had 180k. Thecopcar had 192k.

 

[gmartin1215]

You will usually hear a hub that's starting to go, but not always. It's a roaring sound that gets louder over time. I also check mine whenever I have the wheels in the air, or at least once a year. To check them all you have to do is raise a wheel in the air, grab it at the 12 and 6 o'clock position (not the 9 and 3) with your hands, and try to wiggle it. If there is play then you likely have a worn hub that's due for replacement.

So, correct me if I am wrong, but when do you usually replace the hubs? I have 12 and have rebuilt the engine, new brakes, booster, rotors, pads, lines, and master cylinder. why should I or shouldn't I replace the hubs? Mine dont look worn, or it at a specific mileage recommended replacement?

Thanks for the advice, I'm still learning all this gear head thing

For me, I am doing a complete rebuild of my front-end (ball joints, cv axel, tie rods...), since my Tahoe has 140K miles on it; the ball joint is shot on one side. There also seemed to be a little play on the tires when I rocked them while jacked up. Since I am tearing apart the front end anyway, and there are a lot of miles on it, I decided to go ahead and replace the hubs, too.

Now, if I can only find a good part supplier without having to empty my wallet too much, and one that will ship to my state...

 

[gmartin1215]

Grease looks cooked and should not be there.

Perfect! That's the answer I was looking for! I thought that grease should not be there, too, but was not sure because I had not replaced a hub and wondered if this is what is like coming out of the box.

 

[jz57]

I ordered Timken hub from RockAuto before, the hub was Made in China, but it had decent shape.

For your "Made in USA" hub from Amazon, it is highly knock-off parts from China.

Also, contact Timken customer service and send pix to them, let them know the China made knock-off item being in the USA market.

The parts were tamped with Timken and Made in USA. I can't order anything from Rock AUto because they won't ship to my location - they won't pay the state and city tax seperate.

 

[gmartin1215]

I ordered Timken hub from RockAuto before, the hub was Made in China, but it had decent shape.

For your "Made in USA" hub from Amazon, it is highly knock-off parts from China.

Lovely.
Well, sending back the Amazon POS parts and going to try Summit. Unfortunately, I can't use Rock Auto since they won't ship to my state (Colorado).