Car question re: brakes and wheel bearings

[dwtw38351]

(Asking for a friend).

if the front brakes were replaced last Friday, including new rotors....

should they have known or noticed the wheel bearings on the front left side were going to go completely out on Wednesday?

[joz*garage]

You would think the wheel bearings get an inspection while the brakes are done

Maybe the wheel bearings were fine at the time, and now started to make a noise, something you'll have to ask your friend, any strange noises before the brakes were done?

A wheel bearing noise annoyed me on my previous car, lucky I had a good spare unit on my wreck and a monster socket  

[joz*garage]

should they have known or noticed the wheel bearings on the front left side were going to go completely out on Wednesday?

Not sure what you mean there? Prior to friday? if so then the mechanics should have detected it, or if the owner knew about it then they should have mentioned it to the shop.

[elheron-grande]

Well, every repair 'shop' gives specific instructions to their mechanics.  

As for replacing wheel bearings when brakes are replaced, Heron has his own experiences

and ALWAYS replaces wheel bearings when brakes are repaired or replaced.   

Wheel bearings are cheep compared to the problems one might have if NOT replaced.

As per the informacion contained in OPs post.  

FYI - The same situations are present in electric motor repair shops.  Some electric motor

repair shops ALWAYS replace motor bearings when a motor repair is made - including a rewind

job.   Some repair shops do not replace the motor bearings but at least usually 'hand test' the

bearings for possible 'roughness' in the bearning(s)

Note: Heron's opinion is based on his 31 years of experience in the electric motor and electric

generator industry.  Plus having many company auto brakes replaced due to many miles of

driving and braking the old company autos.  

[joz*garage]

---

@elheron-grande wrote:

Well, every repair 'shop' gives specific instructions to their mechanics.  

As for replacing wheel bearings when brakes are replaced, Heron has his own experiences

and ALWAYS replaces wheel bearings when brakes are repaired or replaced.   

Wheel bearings are cheep compared to the problems one might have if NOT replaced.

As per the informacion contained in OPs post.  

FYI - The same situations are present in electric motor repair shops.  Some electric motor

repair shops ALWAYS replace motor bearings when a motor repair is made - including a rewind

job.   Some repair shops do not replace the motor bearings but at least usually 'hand test' the

bearings for possible 'roughness' in the bearning(s)

Note: Heron's opinion is based on his 31 years of experience in the electric motor and electric

generator industry.  Plus having many company auto brakes replaced due to many miles of

driving and braking the old company autos.  

---

I disagree

Changing the wheel bearings every time the brakes are due for service isn't necessary

Plus it isn't cheap to replace wheel bearings or wheel bearing hub units if you get the shop to do the job, try a minimum of $300 + aussie dollars inc parts for just one hub.

Your choice though, wheel bearings could last up to 180,000kms

[joz*garage]

On my previous car it had done approximately 210,000kms before there was an annoying noise, and only needed to replace one wheel bearing.

In some cases if quality bearings are fitting they could last the life span of the car. 

My previous car was a Ford Fairmont AU so nothing quality about it, it was designed in the U.S LOL

(oh but awesome engines)

[elheron-grande]

Yes, of course Heron would expect someone else to have a differing opinion.  That is the

way things happen on a chatting bjord.   Heron will still change the wheel bearings anyhow.

In addition, Heron nowadays Heron might have a brake replacement job on each vehicle purchased new.  

Heron has not purchased a used vehicle since 1984 and that was a 2 year old Ford sedan used as a corporate auto.  Heron purchased it from the corporation where he was employed.

Got a nice discount onnit and the brakes had already been replaced (with new wheel bearings

included.  Heron knew this vehicle well.  It was a company car assigned to Heron). 

(Heron's most recent vehicle (Ford 4 cylinder Escape)  was purchased new in 2012.  Now has almost 18,000 miles on the odometer.  Probably Heron will never have to replace the brakes on this vehicle.  But if he does, the wheel bearings will be replaced at the same time.  Personal choice)

[elheron-grande]

By the way, 300 Bucks Aussie is about $210 or so U.S.A.   For such a low price

it would make sense to have the wheel bearings replaced.  Opinion.  

[joz*garage]

Doesn't make sense/cents to spend anything at all if there's nothing wrong with the bearings.

That was an approximate figure, could run into $600 depending on the car model.

[joz*garage]

You'd know what you have spent though, don't you?

[joz*garage]

Can't remember what it cost you exactly to replace wheels bearings.. yes-no, no-yes? but it sounded like you changed them so often!

[atypicaloldgoat]

Joz sounds like he knows what he is doing. 

Perhaps the mechanic should have noticed the wheel bearing. Was there any damage to the rotors as a result? If not, no harm no foul - the labor savings would have just been the time it takes to lift the car, and remove and replace the rotors (if they also are capable of doing wheel bearings. If you go to the same shop you are certainly in a position to negotiate that savings. If they are unwilling, it may be time to consider a new shop.

If the rotors were damaged, good business would dictate they fix it and replace the rotor on their dime, minus the bearings themselves, IMO.

[joz*garage]

Not to mention faulty wheel bearings can cause uneven tyre wear.

Easy to check hey, on my wreck the hub I chose had no play and spun silky smooth.

[elheron-grande]

The most recent year Heron was involved with wheel bearing replacements was 1984, mas o menos.  It is true that Heron cannot remember the exact cost.  The invoice was paid by el Heron and el Heron submitted the invoice to the accounting department for re-imbursement there-of.

And Heron was paid for the cost of company auto maintenance and/or repair.  

(Heron was driving company autters from 1963 until 1985.  In '85 the corporation changed to

an employee owned vehicle with reimbursements made for cost of vehicle, maintenance. and operating costs.

During the time between 1985 and 1994 (when Heron retired from the big bad corporation) no

brakes or wheel bearings were replaced.   Since 1994 Heron has not driven enough miles to 

wear out a set of brakes or wheel bearings on any vehicle owned by Heron.   The only major

autter cost since 1985 was a transmission failure on a 9 year alt Shivverlay Exploder in 2010.  Heron paid for the factory rebuilt replacement.   And then six months later traded that Exploder

for a new vehicle.  Part of the negotiations for the new vehicle was that the autter dealer would pay Heron for the rebuilt transmission cost on the Shivverlay.  The autter dealer agreed to that stipulation.

(If we do not ASK we shall not receive) (That sales guy NEEDED a sale pronto).  

[elheron-grande]

Did not seem to work well for the OP.   Quizas?  Quien sabes?