Need New Hubs - Go With Mazda OEM or Aftermarket?

[RustyMZ3]

Need to replace my front hubs/bearings. Has anyone replaced theirs with factory OEM hubs or have you gone aftermarket? SKG / Timkin

I got 215,000kms out of the originals but worry that the oem replacements won't last as long as the originals.

OEM Fleets has quoted $142 each + tax for Mazda OEM's but have been quoted $180+ for the aftermarket ones.

[jeff7670]

If you're doing it yourself consider Rockauto.

[RustyMZ3]

If you're doing it yourself consider Rockauto.

Haven't ordered from them yet but i think i should start.

[TheMAN]

the factory bearings are koyo... stick with those

[Reddie1337]

Have you ever done press in wheel bearings? Or are you having a shop do these for you? They are not normally easy to replace, and I do them in a shop, and they still aren't easy if they are all rusty. Also, special tools needed to press the bearing out and the new one in. It's not a hub assembly like a lot of domestic cars. Just a heads up if you haven't done them before.


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[RustyMZ3]

Well I ended up going with the bearings only. In my 04 M3 it was a hub assembly, where hub and bearing were one unit. I thought the 09's were the same but it turns out that they are separate pieces, so i just went with the bearing. Got a set of SKF's at NAPA for $47 each. Will change soon as we are heading to Florida in a couple of weeks. Will also attempt tie rod ends and control arms at the same time. Wish me luck!

[brucewayne]

timkin, rockauto, jimmy

[jeff7670]

None of the parts you have listed are to hard to change. Control arms as long as it isn't to rusty are ok. I would recommend you hit everything with some anti seize a couple of times in the week before you attempt to change.

[Reddie1337]

None of the parts you have listed are to hard to change. Control arms as long as it isn't to rusty are ok. I would recommend you hit everything with some anti seize a couple of times in the week before you attempt to change.

Do you mean a rust penetrating oil? Anti-Seize is normally something you put on when you're installing something, not so much taking apart. Something like Break-Thru is a great penetrating lubricant.

Also, as I mentioned before, do you have the proper tools to press a bearing out of a spindle? I'd hate to see you strand your car after beating on a bearing with a hammer. Just something to look into before you do the job.

[jeff7670]

Do you mean a rust penetrating oil? Anti-Seize is normally something you put on when you're installing something, not so much taking apart. Something like Break-Thru is a great penetrating lubricant.

Also, as I mentioned before, do you have the proper tools to press a bearing out of a spindle? I'd hate to see you strand your car after beating on a bearing with a hammer. Just something to look into before you do the job.

You're very right when you say penetrating oil is preferred. I usually just use what I have on hand as I find it gets the job done.

[RustyMZ3]

Have you ever done press in wheel bearings? Or are you having a shop do these for you? They are not normally easy to replace, and I do them in a shop, and they still aren't easy if they are all rusty. Also, special tools needed to press the bearing out and the new one in. It's not a hub assembly like a lot of domestic cars. Just a heads up if you haven't done them before.


Thanks for the reminder! I was planning to take the spindle in to a shop and have the old one pressed out and the new pressed in.

And I will definitely be hitting up the bolts with penetrating oil this week. When I replaced the struts last year the bolts were actually quite easy to remove. Lets hope that its still that easy!