Minivan-"Loose" rear hub/bearing assy

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Ed Sievers - 11 Jan 2008 04:06 GMT

Took advantage of a one-time $8.95 special and had my local
dealer lube my 05 Buick Terazza Van....a "Seven Point Safety
Check" was included and they told me the rear bearing/hub
assemblies were "loose" (at 40K miles fer cryin' out loud!)
Not trusting a dealership looking for repair work, I jacked
it up, and sure enuff......there is a wee bit of play or
wobble (I assume it should be essentially undetectable?)
They want $831 to replace them.....AutoZone wants $237 each
for the bearing/hub assys complete with the sensor, etc.
The guy at the "Zone" said you can't just install these and
torque 'em down real good "shade tree mech style" i.e.,
there would be specific torque values to use etc. The "blow
up" dwg at AutoZone looked simple enuff, but having no shop
manual I hesitate a bit to take the job on. Also, I read in
the archives where at least one guy said to stay away from
discount parts-house wheel bearings.....buy 'em from the
dealer. Your thoughts on all this?

I have been repairing my own "rides" since my first used
1933 Chevrolet, but I sure ain't no "Certified Tech" and it
seems like a mistake could be critical in this area, for
sure.

Ed Sievers (aka "old phart") in TX

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Doug Adams - 12 Jan 2008 00:52 GMT

First off I wouldn't trust those quick lubes with the oil change specials,
they always find something wrong with your car that needs replaced right
away. It sounds as though they may really have found an issue with your
bearing though. I assume that your '05 is out of warranty? Maybe it would be
worth a visit to the dealer you bought it from and see if they would be
sympathetic and check it, maybe replace, because it is not far off of
warranty? But at least have them check one to see if it is out of tolerance
that would be expected. Then stay away from Auto Zone for replacement parts
(unless they have lifetime guarantee). I get NAPA parts as cheap and
sometimes cheaper than Auto Zone, and the quality is usually always better.
Find out what the assemblies are supposed to be torqued to and buy yourself
a cheap torque wrench if you have too, they can be had for around $30.00.
You can do the job yourself and have a torque wrench for future use and
still save yourself a weeks pay (unless you have an extremely good job)!

> Took advantage of a one-time $8.95 special and had my local dealer lube my
> 05 Buick Terazza Van....a "Seven Point Safety Check" was included and they
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Ed Sievers (aka "old phart") in TX

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