Need some expert help

[HK-DEMON-]

Wheel hub bearing issues.

I'm hoping this is in the right section, if not, MODS please move. Thanks

Alright, let me see if I can explain this in detail.

A few months back I decided to lower my 2001 Tahoe to ride height 3/5. The wheels currently on my vehicle are 24's with 305/35R24 tires. I replaced both the front wheel hub bearing assemblies with new ones since I was swapping out the spindles and everything was already apart. The new wheel hub assemblies I bought were aftermarket from auto zone, not factory AC Delco. After lowering my Tahoe I took it into the shop for alignment. About 3 to 4 months later the steering wheel began to shake during freeway driving, so I took it back to the shop and they told me that the driver side wheel assembly was shot (no good). So I took back the shot out wheel hub assembly back to auto zone for the lifetime replacement warranty. I replaced the shot out hub with the new hub. A few more months passed by and I noticed the steering wheel began to shake just like before, only during freeway driving.

Today I decided to check out the wheel hub assemblies out for myself. I jacked up my truck up and I come to find out that both, driver and passenger side wheel hubs are shot dead. I did the checking by placing one hand at 12 o'clock and the other hand at 6 o'clock on the wheel and just puling and pushing back and forth to see if there was any play. I was told that if any play exists the hubs are shot. Is this true?

Has anybody here on the forum had an issue like this before?

My questions are the following, can it be the heavy wheels causing this problem? can it be the cheap auto zone wheel hub assemblies? any information would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[The 'ER]

I had the same issue with stock rims with over sized tires had a bad shake and grind and had the shop put in a new bearing fixed it no problem. I think it may just be a cheap bearing from the zone. I have not had good luck at auto zone. I stick to factory motor parts for my replacement parts seems to be a better quality part.

 

[HK-DEMON-]

I had the same issue with stock rims with over sized tires had a bad shake and grind and had the shop put in a new bearing fixed it no problem. I think it may just be a cheap bearing from the zone. I have not had good luck at auto zone. I stick to factory motor parts for my replacement parts seems to be a better quality part.

Thanks for the info bro.

Yeah I might be purchasing the OEM AC Delco wheel hub bearing assembly, the only thing holding me back is the price $500 for the set

 

[HK-DEMON-]

Anybody else have any info?

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

Yes, with oversized wheels you can have premature hub failure. I have had good luck with the hubs I purchased at Carquest. I only had one issue in the past with them where I had to grind on the tops of the hubs so that the ABS sensors would communicate with the ABS gear inside. The carquest hubs only cost a couple hundred, definitely my choice. They are going to wear out and you will be replacing them again whether AcDelco or not running large rims like that.

 

[HK-DEMON-]

Yes, with oversized wheels you can have premature hub failure. I have had good luck with the hubs I purchased at Carquest. I only had one issue in the past with them where I had to grind on the tops of the hubs so that the ABS sensors would communicate with the ABS gear inside. The carquest hubs only cost a couple hundred, definitely my choice. They are going to wear out and you will be replacing them again whether AcDelco or not running large rims like that.

Thanks for the reply.

Ill see if I can look into those hubs from Carquest.

I also wanted to add, don't really know if this is relevant to this thread but my ride quality is pretty stiff, I know, I know, I wasn't going to get a factory ride quality by lowering my Hoe and setting it up with those wheels but maybe if I loosen up the torsion keys a bit do you think it might soften the ride quality?

My thought is maybe because its a rough and hard hitting ride it might be the reason why the hubs keep getting shot out.

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

Yes, it could, but of course you will lose some of the clearance over the tires. It will lower the front of the truck even more.

 

[HK-DEMON-]

Yes, it could, but of course you will lose some of the clearance over the tires. It will lower the front of the truck even more.

I think I might just give it a try to see if it helps a bit.