Wheel bearings

[Maddog209]

I am planning to remove the wheels on my 78 GS550 to have them powder coated. Since I have to remove the bearings I figured I would just replace them. Well, seems I am discovering a wide range of prices when it comes to bearings....everything from $9.00 a kit for the front and $9.00 for the rear, all the way up to $84.00 for a complete front/rear kit from the factory. Does anyone know if the $84.00 factory bearing kit is priced fairly? Anyone know of a good source for buying quality aftermarket bearing kits?

 

[chuck hahn]

Be sure your powder coater plugs the hubs so no material can get in the bearing seats.

 

[Maddog209]

Be sure your powder coater plugs the hubs so no material can get in the bearing seats.

Absolutely, we already discussed that.

 

[chuck hahn]

just thought i would mention it..have seen some pretty stupid stuff in my day!!

 

[hampshirehog]

They're just wheel bearings. $84 would seem a tad excessive - I'd pay less than ?10 a wheel.

 

[Maddog209]

They're just wheel bearings. $84 would seem a tad excessive - I'd pay less than ?10 a wheel.

I was thinking the same thing. I questioned the price and was told.."these are factory bearings", I told him I was going to do a bit of research before ordering. eBay sells kits for just under $9.00 for each wheel plus shipping.

 

[hampshirehog]

I was thinking the same thing. I questioned the price and was told.."these are factory bearings", I told him I was going to do a bit of research before ordering. eBay sells kits for just under $9.00 for each wheel plus shipping.

I did a rebuild on a TS250 for a guy who insisted on everything being new Suzuki. New main bearings cost around ?100 in the red S box. When I opened them up they were stamped 'made in Germany'. Like I said, they're just bearings....

 

[DPage]

Z1 sells All Balls bearings for about $5 each, or $10 per wheel. and they work fine.

 

[Maddog209]

I did a rebuild on a TS250 for a guy who insisted on everything being new Suzuki. New main bearings cost around ?100 in the red S box. When I opened them up they were stamped 'made in Germany'. Like I said, they're just bearings....

I just priced a set for the front and rear on eBay that also includes seals with the bearings. The complete price including shipping will be $37.60.

Thats a substantial savings over the $84.00 the dealer wanted which did not include seals. Pretty sad considering I have been doing business with the same dealer for over 20ys. I have purchased several bikes and a watercraft over the years and have spent countless amounts in the service dept. I thought maybe they would have offered a better price. But I guess customer loyalty means nothing to them. Oh well!!

 

[Nessism]

The OE bearings are typically made in Japan, from a major bearing house. Those All Ball's bearings (or those ebay offerings) are going to be from China or maybe India. I suspect the cheaper parts are fine but might not last as long.

Partsnmore.com sells some made in Japan bearings for cheap so you might want to check them out.

 

[tkent02]

Germany makes fine bearings. So does Japan. USA, maybe. China, Korea? India? Dunno.
Any bearing supply place will have a selection.
$84? Wow.

 

[Maddog209]

The OE bearings are typically made in Japan, from a major bearing house. Those All Ball's bearings (or those ebay offerings) are going to be from China or maybe India. I suspect the cheaper parts are fine but might not last as long.

Partsnmore.com sells some made in Japan bearings for cheap so you might want to check them out.

Thank you for the link