How many miles did your front and/or rear wheel bearings last?

**drewgold** · 04-29-2018 10:51 AM

Couldn't find a thread on this but curious how many miles people have been getting out of their original wheel bearings? Who is still rolling on their original bearings?

I'm at 205k kms (127k miles) and still on original bearings on all four corners.

I'm planning to replace all of my front suspension this spring, (Control Arms, sway links, inner and outer tie rods, shocks, etc. are all original.) Wondering if I should replace my wheel bearings while I'm at it? Or ride 'em till they die? They still seem fine, however with mileage getting up there I'm wondering if their days are numbered...

Chime in with your experience!

**eurotecknik** · 04-29-2018 12:56 PM

162k miles on original wheel bearings and no issues.

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**Low and Behold** · 04-29-2018 01:30 PM

Just replaced one of my fronts last week. All others are original. 95k

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**daught** · 04-29-2018 03:46 PM

260k km, all original bearings and control arms. No slack or clunks.

**EvolutionArmory** · 04-29-2018 04:57 PM

Both my left bearings went in the same year. Front at 150k, rear at 170k. I believe both right bearings are original at 180k

**vce1232000** · 04-29-2018 07:31 PM

240,000 miles and so far so

**drewgold** · 04-29-2018 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by vce1232000

240,000 miles and so far so

Wow, that's impressive! Thinking it may be overkill at this point to replace my bearings being as it seems they are still fine. Not to mention that they're not exactly a cheap replacement!

Thanks for all the info guys, good to be able to collect some data on this. Hopefully this info helps some others out too at some point.

**funkypterodacty** · 04-29-2018 09:29 PM

240k miles on all 4, no issues.

**aluthman** · 04-30-2018 03:07 AM

Replaced them at around 140k on my old b7 since I was doing control arms anyway. They were still good, but I didn't want to tear it all apart again.

**Theiceman** · 04-30-2018 04:35 AM

Mine are original At 300k km i have one in my parts stock just in case. 100 bucks is cheap in my mind

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**drewgold** · 04-30-2018 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Theiceman

Mine are original At 300k km i have one in my parts stock just in case. 100 bucks is cheap in my mind

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$100 US maybe, plus the cost to press in the hub and/or a new hub to limit down time. x2 for both sides, gets pricey for something that could last another 100k kms!

**Theiceman** · 04-30-2018 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by drewgold

$100 US maybe, plus the cost to press in the hub and/or a new hub to limit down time. x2 for both sides, gets pricey for something that could last another 100k kms!

Drew these are bolt on assemblies, ( unless I bought the wrong ones ) looks like 3 or 4 bolts after taking off the axles bolt and you are away to the races. . Not sure about the backs though.

**Chris@EPL** · 04-30-2018 11:36 AM

Knock on wood, I am at 282k miles or so and only replaced 1 front bearing.

**Jay-Bee** · 04-30-2018 03:17 PM

My service records show both fronts we're done at 91k KMs, seems super early, my driver's front went again after I bought it, really bad by 150k, I just replaced it with a meyle bearing and bolt kit. Gonna don't he other side with an OE equivalent soonish. Hoping this isn't a reoccurring thing. I have 2 front steering knuckle uprights off a junker if anything is out of whack with the bearing seats or something.

**drewgold** · 04-30-2018 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by Theiceman

Drew these are bolt on assemblies, ( unless I bought the wrong ones ) looks like 3 or 4 bolts after taking off the axles bolt and you are away to the races. . Not sure about the backs though.

They bolt on if you you bought a pre-assembeled kit form ECS, however the quality of the bearings in that kit are questionable.

Here's the assembled kit:

Otherwise the bearing kit comes like this:

But the hub still has to be pressed out of the old bearing and into the new one. The bearing and hub assembly bolt up to the knuckle/upright but you still need a good press to disassemble/reassemble the hub/bearing assembly.

**drewgold** · 04-30-2018 11:59 PM

Originally Posted by Jay-Bee

My service records show both fronts we're done at 91k KMs, seems super early, my driver's front went again after I bought it, really bad by 150k, I just replaced it with a meyle bearing and bolt kit. Gonna don't he other side with an OE equivalent soonish. Hoping this isn't a reoccurring thing. I have 2 front steering knuckle uprights off a junker if anything is out of whack with the bearing seats or something.

I have found that bearings are not something to cheap out on. Went through three bearings on my old B5 in one year 2x optimal and 1x Meyle. Finally installed OEM and never had a problem again.

I believe SKF is the OE manufacturer. I'd buy from FCP Euro, free lifetime warranty. Can't beat that for something that is notoriously troublesome like bearings.