Wheel bearing gone at 37k

EmmEve

We bought a second car a few mths ago (2011) reg from a local garahe/dealership. It seems a front wheel bearing has gone after only 37k, is this unusual? Will it be covered by the warranty or will they cite wear and tear? Thank you.

Joe_Horner

It's fairly unusual but well within what's possible without a manufacturing fault.

Bear in mind, its not only had 37k miles, it's also had 6 years for moisture or dirt to find it way past the simple rubber lip seals that protect them. Once there, it only takes a tiny amount of dirt or corrosion to damage a bearing.

In 37k miles, assuming fairly average modern wheels, that bearing has rotated around 25 million times with probably a quarter of a ton load + any cornering forces on it, so any damage will lead to pretty rapid failure. It's a testament to modern engineering that they last anything like as well as they do!

So, unusual? Yes. Unlucky? Yes. Grounds to claim a fault? Probably not.


eta: That said, there's no harm in approaching them and seeing if they'll help.

[Deleted User]

On a 6 year old used vehicle probably not that unusual.
Wear and tear item.
Post up the make and model for further input from others:cool:

EmmEve

It's a Meriva S.

motorguy

EmmEve wrote: »

It's a Meriva S.

Just echoing what others have said. Wear and tear item really.

Shouldn't be expensive as it's a Vauxhall and not tricky to fit

Nebulous2

Merivas have a reputation for bearing problems. My one was making a slight noise at 3 years old and the same mileage.

System

EmmEve wrote: »

We bought a second car a few mths ago (2011) reg from a local garahe/dealership. It seems a front wheel bearing has gone after only 37k, is this unusual? Will it be covered by the warranty or will they cite wear and tear? Thank you.

Not for a car with that low mileage. 5-6000 miles a year average suggests a lot of town driving which will wear out a car far faster than doing motorway driving, especially the brakes, suspension, steering and clutch.

House_Martin

Rear bearings are easier to fit then the front.There is a very high torque nut on the front wheel bearing on many cars.Last time I changed one I vowed to let the garage do it for me despite the cost .Not only did i have to find a long pipe to add pressure to get the 250 lb nut off the next problem was virtually un- doable by the home mechanic.
Pressing out the old bearing needed special equipment. I had to heat the whole thing up to get it out. I think it would be an expensive job in a garage.

Manxman_in_exile

So the car's only done 37k in seven years?


As others have suggested, low mileage is not necessarily a good indicator on a modern car

System

House_Martin wrote: »

Not only did i have to find a long pipe to add pressure to get the 250 lb nut off the next problem was virtually un- doable by the home mechanic.
Pressing out the old bearing needed special equipment. I had to heat the whole thing up to get it out. I think it would be an expensive job in a garage.

Hour labour tops. Jobs rarely take as long when you have the proper tools to do the job. Whilst you are still waiting for the hub to get hot enough to remove the bearing a mechanic with a bearing press will have removed the old one, fitted the new one and already be putting the car back together.

Robisere

Tarambor wrote: »

Hour labour tops. Jobs rarely take as long when you have the proper tools to do the job. Whilst you are still waiting for the hub to get hot enough to remove the bearing a mechanic with a bearing press will have removed the old one, fitted the new one and already be putting the car back together.

Spot on! Do you bake your own bread, grow your own veg, butcher your own meat, do your own plumbing and electrics? I agree with anyone saving money by doing repairs and maintenance whenever they can, but some jobs are best left to the professionals who have paid for expensive tools, rigs, overheads, insurance and materials, and learned how to carry out their work over several years of experience and courses.