How often do these go out ? Is it a good idea to change both out if one goes bad ?

 

Not sure how often they go out but it is very common for them to do so. I just bought a 2000 Silvy ECSB 2wd and found the passenger side showing some pretty good signs of wear. Took it to the shop to let them have a look, and they told me it was very normal and common for this to happen (one side wear out and the other be fine). They said they could just replace that side and the other side would be fine to leave since it was still good.

Steven

 

parts manufacturers and service centers say change both...
I replaced my right one at about 150k miles...
I'm now @ 199k and the left one is still fine...

 

One of mine went out at 11k miles GM only replaced the one...

 

lol...of course they did...it was on their dime...

 

It is finie to replace one.... it is not uncommon to replace one and have the other last as much as three to four times as long. most of the time we have found that it is from a commonly used onramp or turn taken at signifigant speed at which the side loading of the bearing causes repeat failure of one side..... that is why most people think one side is commonly bad they just dont realizing pushing 2 tons around a turn every day putting all that weight on the one side. the side loading of that bearing will cause it to wear out pretty quick..

mine i replaced at a lil over 12k and i thought that was nuts and mind you i worked at gm.

then when one of the other engineers told me i looked at my path to work and realized i have one of those BIG LOOP onramps to the freeway almost a 360 degree turn to get on the freeway... lets say like a 1000' in diameter skidpad. and every morning i tend to push it to the tires limits hitting that thing..... then i realized... "hey maybe thats why my front left hub wore out quick


sorry for the long story.... just figured it may help

 

GM's wheel hubs are made by BCA and I swear that BCA is a pile of ****! GM has placed crap bearings on their trucks for years.

There's really nothing we can do about it. tHE REPLACEMENT BERINGS FROM ANY AUTO STORE ARE ABOUT THE SAME QUALITY.

 

Can you replace just the bearings or is it a whole hub assembly??? I have to do my front driver side.

 

sealed hub assy only...no replaceable or serviceable bearings...
BCA # 515036 (for 4WD only)...$157.99ea @ O'Reilly

 

you only replace the one that is bad. the other one might never go out. why throw away money?