Wheel bearing core charge?

[tn...@mucks.net]

I'm relaying this story. This concerns a wheel bearing on a 2003
Grand Am. It seems that both wheels have needed wheel bearings
since the car was new. These bearings only last about 30,000 miles
before they start to sound like an airplane again. Knowing the history
on this car I suggested to keep the old bearing after the last one was
changed at a major automobile repair franchise. The car owner
was told that the bearing was core stock and they couldn't hand it
over without a charge.

Have things got so bad that they are rebuilding bearings. I can't
imagine such a thing. What am I missing?

[C. E. White]

<tn...@mucks.net> wrote in message
news:g04su45gj67i7jg6e...@4ax.com...

They are probably replacing a complete assembly that includes the
actual bearings. I suppose the assembly might be sent back to have the
bearing replaced. This increases the parts cost, but lowers the labor
cost and avoids all the things unskilled labor can do wrong. See
http://tinyurl.com/dm2vvw or
http://info.rockauto.com/Timken/Detail.html?513137-A.jpg for an
example of the hub assembly.

I might be a little concerned that they are actually sending these
back - none of the on-line parts places mention a core charge. It
looks like an easy part to replace. Maybe your friend should find a
different shop. I definitely don't trust some of the "major automobile
repair franchise." I'd much rather go to a dealer or a local
independent garage that has been recommneded by someone I know. Those
national chains put a lot of pressure on the employess to maximize
profit by overcharging and under performing (use of cheap parts,
unskilled labor, rush the jobs, do unecessary work, etc., etc.).

Ed

Ed

[Steve W.]

It may be that company policy is that parts they change have a core charge.
I would also suggest that there is something wrong with that car 30,000
is VERY low mileage for those bearings. The Grand-Am doesn't normally
have front hub problems for 80-70K at least. I have seen more than one
with 100K on the front end with no problem.

The S-Blazers go through front hubs at 40-50K or so because they are
not heavy enough parts for the vehicle.

--
Steve W.

[jim]

They aren't likely to be charging a fee for the old bearing. What you get is the
hub with bearing pressed into it. The bearing alone (if it was available)
wouldn't have a core charge.

-jim

[m6onz5a]

I work in auto parts, and I've never seen a core charge for bearings/
hub assemblies. He has a right to get his old parts back. I guess
anything is possible though.