Wheel Bearing needs replacing. Oem or other?

Hey TW

My 02’ Tacoma needs a front passenger wheel bearing replaced very soon. Lots of noise coming out of there!

My mechanic quoted $300 labor on each side!! Wowee !! That is to be expected I suppose, but right now it’s a kick in the pecker!
The Toyota dealership quoted about 115$ for an oem bearing, while Oreilley quoted $70 for a “Mastercraft” full wheel hub assembly with a new bearing already installed, which would make it a bolt in part and save a ton of labor cost, not to mention the parts cost.
I assume that the “Mastercraft” option is not a good idea. I’ve never heard anything good about that brand..

Just before someone jumps up on a soapbox about oem vs aftermarket, I know nothing stacks up to oem. Thanks anyway..

Only one side is making noise. My truck has 290K, Should I go ahead and replace both bearings, Driver and passenger, to ensure both wheels are rolling smoothly?

B: Due to the amount of noise coming from the bearing I’m concerned I’ll have to replace the wheel hub anyway.
Is there a high quality wheel hub replacement with the bearing already installed that won’t break the bank?
I replaced my lower ball joints recently with “555’s” per recommendations from TW. Maybe they make this part...

As always..
Thank you in advance for any good advice!!

 

That MasterCraft is for 2nd Gens.
$300 is legit

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheels-tires/260188-changing-out-wheel-bearing-how.html

 

Would definitely recomment oem, heres a link to a cheaper bearing
https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-wheel-bearing-left-right-front-9036954002

 

I would try to get OEM from RockAuto.

 

I’m you’re huckleberry for a complete bolt up package deal shipped to your door with all OEM parts just shoot me a PM.

 

not so much anyone is throwing shade

290k is a lot o miles

the thing replacing oem with oem expectations are usually reasonable & realistic

fronts are easy.........U could save alot o money

yet if U dont use oem’s a second crack at same issue down the road

U wont have saved ANY $$$$$

 

not sure if you were directing this at me but I build bolt in OEM first gen knuckles ADD and Manual with or without ABS setups.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/for-sale-4x4-manual-hubs-spindles-knuckles-and-cvs.709082/

 

No, for sure, there is no manufactured setup off the shelf assembly that I have found yet. And, shamefully, I have learned the hard way on pressing in the bearings. YouTube makes it look way easier, but I have done enough now to have a good system even though destroying an OEM bearing is a painful sunk cost to swallow.

 

OP,
I am changing both my front wheel bearings on my '97 TACO 4WD right now: Front Wheel Bearings on '97 V6 TACO 4WD 5 speed w Manual hubs | Tacoma World. This will be FW bearing set number 4 in this '97 TACO. Still waiting on the seals and other small parts to arrive from toyotapartsdeal. My advice is either do an exchange with zippsub9 or buy the KOYO bearings off ebay for $140 a pair shipped and have your mechanic change the bearings/seals in your knuckles. These are the same OEM Toyota/KOYO DU5496-5 "Made in Japan" bearings that Toyota will sell you: Toyota Tacoma 95-04 Tundra 00-06 4Runner 96-02 Front Wheel Hub Bearing KOYO PAIR | eBay Bearings are very important but so are the seals especially if you 4 wheel in deep mud/high water like I do. Buying the OEM seals off ebay may also save you money. Some OEM Toyota seals, which are also made by KOYO, have now gotten crazy expensive such as the seal on the inner side of the knuckle (90316-69001). If I had to use bearings/seals other than OEM Toyota/KOYO, it would be TRW or NATIONAL from Rockauto. HTH

EDIT: I gave the "Made in JAPAN" 555 LBJs a try on my TACO mud machine because they were greaseable. They were a good value & lasted thru 8 years of severe use in deep mud/high water 4 wheeling here in MS. But I am going back with the OEM Toyota LBJs for their added strength/durability. Greasable '97 Tacoma 4WD Ball Joints? - YotaTech Forums