Front Wheel Bearing - part question

JimHare · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-06, 05:36 PM

Hey guys. Gotta replace the R/F wheel bearing on the 02 Deville. Local GM dealer wanted $400+ for one wheel. I can't see it could be that tricky a job. $330 for the part... ???

I searched around RockAuto, GMParts Direct, AutoZone, Napa, etc. and found bearings ranging from $175 to $200.

Question is, some parts are noted as for a car "W/O heavy duty brakes" - in fact, the parts as pictured on AdvanceAuto's site look quite a bit different.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

The first (left) pic is an "SKF Spindle Hub: Front Wheel; W/O Heavy Duty Brakes; 2 Required Per Vehicle" at $200 bucks, the right t/n is "BCA Hub Assembly; Exc. Heavy Duty Brakes" at $197.77

I assume since it's a base Deville, it does NOT have the "Heavy Duty Brakes" ?

Dadillac · #2 (**permalink**) 03-24-06, 07:56 PM

The first pic shows the hubs backside, where it mounts to the knuckle. The secong pic shows the frontside, where the wheel mounts to. Not sure about the HD brakes. I do not believe that there was an option for that. Curious; why are you changing the hub? What symptoms do you have, that you are trying to fix?

Don

**Ranger** · #3 (**permalink**) 03-24-06, 09:25 PM

Don't assume anything Jim. Check your RPO codes. I thought my '97 was a run of the mill Deville til I took it in for the fuel rail recall and was told it was a "Limo" per the vin. Not sure what that meant (it was not a convert as it only had 17K when I bought it. Point is, that may have qualified it for HD supension or brakes and I had no idea.

JimHare · #4 (**permalink**) 03-24-06, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dadillac

The first pic shows the hubs backside, where it mounts to the knuckle. The secong pic shows the frontside, where the wheel mounts to. Not sure about the HD brakes. I do not believe that there was an option for that. Curious; why are you changing the hub? What symptoms do you have, that you are trying to fix?

Don

The right front has the "wheel bearing going bad" noise. Narrowed down to that after eliminating interior ventilation fans, engine, transmission, tires and brakes....

130,000 miles on her, I guess that's not all that bad.

JimHare · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-06, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

Don't assume anything Jim. Check your RPO codes. I thought my '97 was a run of the mill Deville til I took it in for the fuel rail recall and was told it was a "Limo" per the vin. Not sure what that meant (it was not a convert as it only had 17K when I bought it. Point is, that may have qualified it for HD supension or brakes and I had no idea.

We bought it as an off-lease vehicle. But I'll check the RPO - they're in the trunk somewhere, right????

I may enlist my ersatz son-in-law to help pull the bearing. The job doesn't look all that difficult, once you get the rotor and caliper out of the way.

Thanks

**Ranger** · #6 (**permalink**) 03-25-06, 12:12 AM

Yeah, I think the RPO codes are on the underside of the spare tire cover. When I did the hub & bearing on my '92 Deville it took me less than an hour, and that was the first time I had done one.

Terry Lange · #7 (**permalink**) 03-27-06, 12:27 AM

I went through the same bs while trying to order a new front hub for my 2001 DTS. All of the internet discount parts houses listed a first design and a second design for that year. The Cadillac dealership parts dept. was of no help, since it was apparent to them that I wouldn't be ordering the part from them. They told me that they wouldn't be able to tell if the hub on my car was a first or second design without pulling the old one off and inspecting it. I then went to another GM (non Cadillac) dealership, who was able to tell me which one was on my car based on the VIN only. I ordered the part through gmpartsdirect.com for $187.00 (shipped) and had a local mechanic install it for another $85.00.

JimHare · #8 (**permalink**) 03-27-06, 09:55 AM

My son-in-law is going to take it with him this week when he goes back to work and do it. He's a tech at a Honda dealer (aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!) but there's a GM dealer right across the street. He'll be able to get the part at a hopefully better price, and slap it in for us after his regular shift.

I guess it always help to know someone in the bidness...

97DevilleBeige · #9 (**permalink**) 03-27-06, 10:37 AM

In response to Ranger's reply about having a limosine conversion code in the VIN, Cadillac told me the same thing for my 97 Deville when I called them when I was having gasket/engine problems. When I was caught by suprised and told them I don't have a limosine, they clammed up and didn't tell me any more about it. I am very curious what differences there may be with it from a regular Deville. I'm afraid that the frame is in two peices joined together in the middle so it can be split and streched easily but I have no idea. If anyone has any information on this, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

**Ranger** · #10 (**permalink**) 03-27-06, 12:28 PM

Well in my case, the car only had 17K on it when I bought it, so it would not have been cost effective to cut it in half, stretch it, and put it back to original for 2-3 years and only 17,000 miles. I also asked what the differences where and the answer was vague but the dealer said maybe ashtrays in the rear, heavier suspension etc. Had it for 107K and never a problem.