I'm gonna repack my bearings this weekend, and I have a suspision that my front driverside bearing is hooped. (its buzzing pretty bad)

Does anyone know if I can replace it with a generic aftermarket brand instead of ordering one through the Suzuki dealer?

Any info would be helpful.

Thanks.

This is funny, I just finished repacking my
driver side wheel bearing, it's the stock one
still running good after all these miles.

See if you can get a Japan made one, should
be better quality, that or USA Made

 

Wild

one of mine was acting up a few weeks ago also so i replaced them both.  i got them at them at O'reillys for about ..... $50 each side, i think.  they are a double bearing inside a single race.  they are made by NSK which is a Japanese Co.  but they are made in the US, their plant is in Iowa about 5 miles from where my mom and dad live  o, and mine were pre-packed.

make sure you have good set of snap ring pliers,  those snap rings are heavy duty and expencive to replace, they are a 'dealer only' item:'(

I had mine replaced over a year ago with some high qaulity Japanese ones.  I paid a lot for them! I think like $100 CDN each.

autozone,lifetime warranty!

autozone,lifetime warranty!

Ya, but Lifetime warrantys really suck 500 miles
from home, out in the dirt where there isn't an
autozone to give you another bearing.  

Buy good parts, it's worth the piece of mind.

Wild

There's too much mud here in Michigan (I've said this before).

So far my bearing last about a year.  Something to do with mud not mixing with grease too well.

I went to repack them, just because it's that time of year.  No noise, no vibration but when I took them apart the grease looked like there was mud in it.  The races where scored and worn.  And one cage fell apart.  So now here I am with 2 new sets of wheel bearings!!!

Note:  For the part of the manual hubs that doesn't turn against the axil/spindle.  I'm using anti-seize instead of the wheelbearing grease to see if it will do better with the mud?

Did you check the inner seal ?
I think that would be a easy point
of entry for water and mud, also
if the snap ring is off (the one behind
the hub) it might allow the axle to move
away fron the inner seal and get water
and mud in there.

You might also use waterproof boat
trailer wheel bearing grease, helps to
prevent corosion and repels water.

Anti Seize, hmmm  I dunno, does a good
job to prevent galling of the metal but I
don't know how good it's water repelent
quality is, might work, it can only get worse,
so you'll never know if you don't try it.

Wild

How many bearings are in the front?

I haven’t pulled the front end apart ever, and I've seam have to misplace my Haynes Manual.  

If someone can reply ASAP with the number of bearings I need for the front I would be grateful. I want to get them today before NAPA closes.

No body knows?  

I know its only 1 or 2 on each side.  What is it?

Did you check the inner seal ?
I think that would be a easy point
of entry for water and mud, also
if the snap ring is off (the one behind
the hub) it might allow the axle to move
away fron the inner seal and get water
and mud in there.

Wild

Only every time I have to replace a broken axil shaft.  

The mud just gums up the seals.  My Jeep friends have the same problem around here.

2
There's an outer and inner wheel bearing.
When I bought mine they came as 2 bearings in 1 box per side.
NAPA 60 bucks
Dealer 100 bucks

I take it then these rigs have packable bearings?

WHat about the new ones, like mine?  I'd have to guess its sealed as the manual makes no reference to a repack.

2
There's an outer and inner wheel bearing.
When I bought mine they came as 2 bearings in 1 box per side.
NAPA 60 bucks
Dealer 100 bucks

Ok sweet, thanks for the info bud.

I knew that it was most likely two, I just wanted to make sure so I didn't short hand myself.

Always happy when I know something.