I've been advised that I have a worn wheel bearing that will need to be replaced to pass the MoT. The quote is for a new hub at £250 fitted.

 

I'm curious. Is hub replacement the only way to replace worn wheel bearings these days? What other factors could require a hub replacement?

 

Thanks.

Yep, wheel bearing is built into the hub. As is the ABS ring that the sensor uses to determine wheel speed (This is a common failure on mk2 Octavia's)

Yikes! That's not good 😬

 

Thanks.

To a point, the part is expensive but for me it is better than labour costs of pressing in a bearing and the danger of it going wrong - which it does. 

 

Used to do lots of these on other cars in the past!

Edited 20 June, 20196 yr by bigjohn

Certainly feels expensive when you have to have two done at the same time 😖

1 hour ago, bigjohn said:

To a point, the part is expensive but for me it is better than labour costs of pressing in a bearing and the danger of it going wrong - which it does. 

 

Used to do lots of these on other cars in the past!

 

And there is the answer to the OP, the garages despite being equipped with the presses etc to do the job with a simple bearing kit will make more money with no risk by fitting a much more expensive hub assembly and making the money on the parts mark up rather than the labour of fitting a much cheaper bearing.

 

Having done them myself on my MK1 (I have a press) it was relatively simple and very cheap but there was a risk of damaging the ABS trigger wheel so I can see their reasoning.

5 minutes ago, J.R. said:

 

And there is the answer to the OP, the garages despite being equipped with the presses etc to do the job with a simple bearing kit will make more money with no risk by fitting a much more expensive hub assembly and making the money on the parts mark up rather than the labour of fitting a much cheaper bearing.

 

Having done them myself on my MK1 (I have a press) it was relatively simple and very cheap but there was a risk of damaging the ABS trigger wheel so I can see their reasoning.

 

So it is possible for the garage to just replace the bearing? It's not just because Skoda designed the part so that you have to buy an entire hub when the bearings are worn out?

They come pre-fitted on the hub assembly https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/octavia/oct/2008-419/4/407-407000/#20  and a quick google search for the 3 mounting bolt version https://www.autodoc.co.uk/febi-bilstein/7106639?gshp=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3azoBRAXEiwA-_64OpnIYHuBExQd06BM_Jmb4hEI1KDS8AfPHs-W-uRV1-yModWfrSPCHhoCLxAQAvD_BwE  

Am I being overcharged at £150 for the part and £99 for the labour? It looks that way to me if the part is available at retail (not trade) at around £55. I understand they have to make a living but...

Are they fitting a genuine part?

Bearing alone is available for 10 quid, looks identical to the one I fitted to the MK1 without problem.

7 hours ago, Tech1e said:

Are they fitting a genuine part?

 

Yes. They say they are anyway.

18 minutes ago, J.R. said:

Bearing alone is available for 10 quid, looks identical to the one I fitted to the MK1 without problem.

 

Thanks, I'll follow this up with the garage.

£135 inc VAT for the genuine part.

28 minutes ago, J.R. said:

Bearing alone is available for 10 quid, looks identical to the one I fitted to the MK1 without problem.

 

No, it's a hub unit not a separate bearing.

On a car older than 5 years I'b be inclined to fit the Febi part that Nige mentioned above that cost £55. You could probably get it fitted for under £100 at an Indy. Febi make quality parts. 

24 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

£135 inc VAT for the genuine part.

 

No, it's a hub unit not a separate bearing.

 

Ah. Thanks.

1 hour ago, Tech1e said:

£135 inc VAT for the genuine part.

 

No, it's a hub unit not a separate bearing.

 

I know that but was answering the question by confirming that the bearing alone is available, can be fitted, the hub does not require replacement and its a hell of a lot cheaper but not in the interests of most garages to fit.

 

Here in France is you want new rear brake shoes fitted they will charge you for a complete backplate with pre-mounted shoes, cylinders, return springs, adjusters etc at a highly inflated price yet charge you just as much labour.

 

If you pay a garage to do your work you have little choice but to accept what they want to do all the time that they have more customers than time.

 

My press cost me £60 25 years ago and would save me £240 on this job alone.

8 minutes ago, J.R. said:

confirming that the bearing alone is available

 

Are you sure?

When I follow the link to the part numbers above, then look at images corresponding to the part numbers, this simply doesn't appear to be true. It's an integrated unit, as far as I can see. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-1-4-1-6-1-8-1-9-2-0-RS-FRONT-REAR-WHEEL-BEARING-PAIR-2x-1996-10/151215965900?hash=item23352c86cc:g:FN0AAOSwwvZZQlo8

 

Ok after looking in detail it says for MK1 up till 2010 so I'm not sure.

 

It will be a standard bearing inside and it will be removeable for sure.

Edited 21 June, 20196 yr by J.R.

Hmm, like this? https://www.drive2.ru/l/8269706/

48 minutes ago, J.R. said:

My press cost me £60 25 years ago and would save me £240 on this job alone.

 

Assuming everyone undertaking the job has the tooling and skills to do that.

 

Where are a bolt on component is assembled, end of line tested and warrantied as a complete unit.

Not many years ago any garage mechanic worth retaining would have tackled tasks like that every day with their eyes closed.

 

You pays your money you takes your choice.

 

i am happier to invest savings like the above, £240 out of a £250 job in equipment that will carry on giving similar returns and more importantly keep my vehicle out of the clutches of the motor trade. I always buy well looked after and supposedly well maintained cars very cheap because they have issues, every time and my current car is no different it just takes a little time and thought to find and rectify the faults usually for next to nothing that the previous owners have despaired of throwing money at with usually incompetent rather than dishonest garages.

 

This one was bought needing an engine mounting bracket except the seller hid from me the garage report that said the crankcase was broken and the car needed a new short engine, cost £30 for a S/H alternator/aircon bracket and 30 minutes of my time, the next few months were taken up resolving all the other myriad issues caused by the garages like the above (bolt left loose during cam belt change) and evidenced by numerous costly bills for work that either wasn(t done or corrected nothing.

1 hour ago, Tech1e said:

 

Assuming everyone undertaking the job has the tooling and skills to do that.

 

Where are a bolt on component is assembled, end of line tested and warrantied as a complete unit.

 

I suppose fitting the whole hub (assuming there's the possibility to do otherwise) is easier for the garage, not least because they can get away with hiring less skilled staff. After all, they're not footing the bill!

Assuming your car is a mk2, not a mk1?

I think all this talk of separate bearings that could be pressed in is based on the mk1 arrangement, which is quite different.

17 minutes ago, Wino said:

Assuming your car is a mk2, not a mk1?

I think all this talk of separate bearings that could be pressed in is based on the mk1 arrangement, which is quite different.

 

Yes, a Mk 2. I think you're right. Just spent the last half hour trying to identify the part number for a 1Z5 and can't.

 

The ABS sensor ring on the other hand (which I had done this week) does seem to be available separately (at a cost of £6 instead of £150).

Edited 21 June, 20196 yr by StuartA