Rear hub bearings

[04rebel]

Seems that I just can't stop working on the "happy little car"! Has anyone had early wear out of the rear hub bearings?
I've replaced the ones that came on the car once and another afterwards, now the other side is "growling". NO tire wear to show a "toe" or specifically a loading problem on the wheels to cause it and nut torqued to spec of 160 ft/lbs. This is working out to only lasting about a year /hub. I like using rockauto for my parts source when NOT in a bind(shipping time), anyone have any insight as to cause or a brand recommendation for replacements?
EDIT: for those just seeing this posting...A 2004 Base model.

[occasional demons]

I used a Timken replacement (ebay) on my 2001, and didn't have any issues.

A lot of it depends on how much, and what quality of grease they pack in the replacement bearing. Some die hard folks like to take the new bearing apart, and pack quality grease into them before use.

All 2000 to 2005 rear hubs/bearings are the same. Drum or disc brakes, it doesn't matter.

I got 172,000 miles out of the original, the other 3 wheel bearings are at 210,000 miles. So that's 38,000 miles so far on the Timken.

As long as the axle nut torque is in spec, and there is no extreme alignment issues, most of it comes down to how well the bearing is made, or lubed. Miles really don't mean much to a well lubed quality bearing.

That's why semi trucks use gear lube in their front wheel bearings. It doesn't get pushed out like grease does, and rely on heat to draw it in. The gear lube keeps in constant contact. And it has the ability to handle the pressures, given it is used in transmissions and differentials.

[04rebel]

Points you offered are well taken. Ones I got thru RA were near the cheapest price and others were thru auto zone(although HIGH PRICED, were CHEAP QUALITY). I guess when I order another PAIR thru RA, I'll go "Die Hard" and pop them apart and put my own grease into them before installing them.Changing them is so easy, but the cost of multiple replacements is getting hard to accept!

[Anthonytony]

Okay kinda same topic, I have a front driver wheel bearing that is going and I need to get it replaced. My dad (BRR) says that I we are going to put his Knuckle from his ‘02 and use that to put on my car but I need to buy a new hub and bearing to be on the safe side since his knuckle hasn’t been used in about 5-6 years. Where do you guys recommend me get a new hub and bearing kit for an ‘02 neon knuckle?

[04rebel]

Going to be hard to find the "knuckle(hub)" unless you find one on a salvage yard. I like to deal thru rock auto online.the front bearings are not very expensive and last a long time. A shop with a press can quickly swap out the bearing from the knuckle and press the drive hub back in for not much of a labor charge. The real work is the R&R on the car! I have a way to do them "on the car" without total removal of the Knuckle...but it takes some "finesse and proper sized press "plates",much like a shop hydraulic press would use. Good Luck..and remember it's not that bad a job compared to many other cars!

[occasional demons]

Okay kinda same topic, I have a front driver wheel bearing that is going and I need to get it replaced. My dad (BRR) says that I we are going to put his Knuckle from his ‘02 and use that to put on my car but I need to buy a new hub and bearing to be on the safe side since his knuckle hasn’t been used in about 5-6 years. Where do you guys recommend me get a new hub and bearing kit for an ‘02 neon knuckle?

As long as your car is an MTX, assuming the knuckle is from your dad's R/T, it will work. They made the knuckles different between ATX and MTX cars. The hole location for the tie rod is different. if you mix them, one tire will not be in the same arc as the other when turning.

Both have to be either MTX or ATX. This only applies to 2000 to 2005. 1gn's used the same knuckles for either.

As long as the knuckle was stored out of the weather, it should be ok. Even if it was out doors, it may take a while to fail. I used a Shadow hub bearing that was in the elements and got 30,000 miles out of it, IIRC.

Now laying in a pool of water is a whole other deal.

I have Shadow/Daytona knuckles in my '99. Eventually, I will have them in my 2gn. Bolt in knuckles, and better LCA angle FTW!

[04rebel]

Points you offered are well taken. Ones I got thru RA were near the cheapest price and others were thru auto zone(although HIGH PRICED, were CHEAP QUALITY). I guess when I order another PAIR thru RA, I'll go "Die Hard" and pop them apart and put my own grease into them before installing them.Changing them is so easy, but the cost of multiple replacements is getting hard to accept!

Well finally got the car and part and replaced the offending hub/bearing...AFTER I popped it apart and found NO GREASE for the inner bearing and greased it! Took the other side off and found the same condition(too new to have gone bad), so greased that one too! Then put in a CHEAP pair of "Ultra Power" brand front struts(complete) into the little car. We'll see how long it takes for my son to "blow out" this pair!!!