Front wheel bearings this is the seventh or eighth time?

Tiny
1CRAZYGUIDO
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 KIA RIO HYBRID
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 108,000 MILES
Okay, so my front wheel bearings have gone out yet again this is the seventh or eighth time in the year and a half that I’ve owned the vehicle so I called the Kia dealership to speak to someone about getting them replaced there because I’ve always taken it to mom and Pop garages and figured you know what screw it. I’m going to try and take it to the dealership. Unfortunately, when I called to speak to them, they informed me that Kia no longer makes the spacer that has to go between the bearings for the preload, so they are unable to do anything with the wheel bearings now. I love this car. It’s only got a little over 100,000 miles on it so I don’t want to get rid of it but I don’t know what to do. Nobody seems to be able to take care of the wheel bearings so if you have any suggestions of how I could possibly upgrade them to something else or take something from a different making model that would work with my car. I don’t know, I’m desperate at this point so any suggestions you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 AT 3:18 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Can I ask if you have changed the rims or tire size on this car? If so, this will be the problem, the rims must be the stock offset, and the tires must be the same size. If not, I can see why the bearing goes out, it is because they used non sealed bearing hubs, so the spacers set the preload and if that is incorrect the bearing will be over tightened and never stand a chance. Check out the images (below).
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
1CRAZYGUIDO
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It has 185-65-14 tires with stock 14” rims.
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Saturday, December 7th, 2024 AT 12:41 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, this would be an installation error making the bearings go out because they are too tight.
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Saturday, December 7th, 2024 AT 12:24 PM
Tiny
1CRAZYGUIDO
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Okay, but the problem is that there is nowhere to get a new spacer, so what can I do?
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Saturday, December 7th, 2024 AT 12:28 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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You are going to need to have a machine shop make you a spacer shims, it should not cost to much but you will need to give them the old spacer so they have something to work with.
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Sunday, December 8th, 2024 AT 9:53 AM
Tiny
1CRAZYGUIDO
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Um okay. Is it possible to use spindle knuckle and hub assembly from 2001 Hyundai Accent? I’m only asking because I’m not aware of any machine shops in the area that I live in.
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 AT 3:12 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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You can use anything that will fit, you will need to match the parts up to see if they will work.
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 AT 10:29 AM

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