This is just a rant thread...but to come, a Wheelbearing DIY while smoking crack

[krimsalt]

Ball bearings... You're kidding me. A bearing system that was outdated in the 1940's when Roller-pin bearings were developed. Furthermore the bearings are pressed into the control arm, and the wheel hub is pressed into the bearing. What a flawed and stupid design!
The car was engineered by idiots when it comes to the drivetrain. I recently spent the entire weekend replacing these flawed bearing systems. Only time will tell when it is replaced again (I hear an average life of 100,000km with the earliest case of 35,000km)

This system is a dealbreaker. I would not have bought the car if I knew about this.

Seriously Mazda... What the F**k

[The Wolf]

Did they died?

[krimsalt]

hopefully will.. I am going to be documenting the adventure into the depths of my wheel-well (complete with pictures) and posting it as a DIY when I get the chance.

[loki]

this thread title is a bit extreme and quite misleading.

just sayin'

and if you wanted to get your point across, you'd never be able to search this on the forum and get what you were looking for.

1) either you're looking for engineers who were killed by meth, read this and were dissapointed
2) you were looking for info on wheel bearings and couldn't find it on a search, when someone finally pointed them to this thread.

[krimsalt]

ok so why has my post title been changed?

[krimsalt]

this thread title is a bit extreme and quite misleading.

just sayin'

and if you wanted to get your point across, you'd never be able to search this on the forum and get what you were looking for.

1) either you're looking for engineers who were killed by meth, read this and were dissapointed
2) you were looking for info on wheel bearings and couldn't find it on a search, when someone finally pointed them to this thread.

it's a curiosity title. it isn't supposed to be a direct meaning. in the litterary world many people use curiosity titles to draw the attention of readers saying "what does this mean". saying "mazda3, bad wheelbearing" or "flawed design in mazda bearings" (etc) may not be catchy enough

[Shizuka_Osamu]

all i have to say is lock this thread up.

:lock

[krimsalt]

yea, lock it up if you wish. i will be doing a DIY later with more explanation. This thread is more of a quick rant >.>

[loki]

it's a curiosity title. it isn't supposed to be a direct meaning. in the litterary world many people use curiosity titles to draw the attention of readers saying "what does this mean". saying "mazda3, bad wheelbearing" or "flawed design in mazda bearings" (etc) may not be catchy enough

haha I didn't change your thread title, but that's funny.

all I'm saying is, when you do your write up with pictures etc., it sounds like it'll be useful information to some of the people on this forum, so make sure you title that thread properly, so that if anyone was to search for it, they can find it and benefit from the info that you took the time to put together

it's a car forum, you don't need a "curiosity title". anyone interested in that info, will click on it and have a read.

[krimsalt]

haha I didn't change your thread title, but that's funny.

all I'm saying is, when you do your write up with pictures etc., it sounds like it'll be useful information to some of the people on this forum, so make sure you title that thread properly, so that if anyone was to search for it, they can find it and benefit from the info that you took the time to put together

it's a car forum, you don't need a "curiosity title". anyone interested in that info, will click on it and have a read.

hmm... what if i mix it up? "Mazda smoked crack when making bearings: A DIY on changing your wheelbearings" lol

[cwp_sedan]

I want to see this DIY thread...

[mazdabetty]

ok so why has my post title been changed?

http://myspace.roflposters.com/images/rofl/myspace/1208824856458.jpg.%5Broflposters.com%5D.myspace.jp g

[krimsalt]

I want to see this DIY thread...

It comes with pictures :) give me time I work all week :|

[boyracer]

Who's selling crack? ;)

[krimsalt]

Who's selling crack? ;)

the engineers at mazda

[Cosmo77]

Ball bearings... You're kidding me. A bearing system that was outdated in the 1940's when Roller-pin bearings were developed. Furthermore the bearings are pressed into the control arm, and the wheel hub is pressed into the bearing. What a flawed and stupid design!
The car was engineered by idiots when it comes to the drivetrain. I recently spent the entire weekend replacing these flawed bearing systems. Only time will tell when it is replaced again (I hear an average life of 100,000km with the earliest case of 35,000km)

This system is a dealbreaker. I would not have bought the car if I knew about this.

Seriously Mazda... What the F**k

Obviously not a mechanic....many many other car makers use this system. Threads like this always make me giggle. An entire weekend....wow....it only pays 1.6-2.3hr a front bearing depending on the year.

Slacker

[Cosmo77]

Further more I think my first year apprentice can do it under 2hours....

Whiner

[n00bMeiSter]

I was not informed of any optional meth package when I was buying! I totally would have bought one! lol


So you're going to change your wheel bearings to roller pin bearings? Or are you just buying a new wheel bearing and replacing it?

[TheMAN]

SRSLY? another one of these bullshit "mazda sucks" threads? :rolleyes

you show your complete lack of competence in mechanical engineering fundamentals if you think roller bearings is the key for wheel bearings.... MANY brands of cars uses this style of bearing, so you're stupid for even blaming mazda
do you know what "axial load" means? I guess not because otherwise you wouldn't even be posting this stupid thread whining about the wheel bearing design

[krimsalt]

Further more I think my first year apprentice can do it under 2hours....

Whiner

impossible. on a new car, improbable. when you are under the car and everything is seized to shit, and the bolt of the tie-rod snapped when taking it off, so that set back a few hours to order.

ford and volvo use this design because its the same design shared with mazda.

[krimsalt]

SRSLY? another one of these bullshit "mazda sucks" threads? :rolleyes

you show your complete lack of competence in mechanical engineering fundamentals if you think roller bearings is the key for wheel bearings.... MANY brands of cars uses this style of bearing, so you're stupid for even blaming mazda
do you know what "axial load" means? I guess not because otherwise you wouldn't even be posting this stupid thread whining about the wheel bearing design

dont put "mazda sucks" in quotes if i didnt say it, i am simply saying its a design flaw.

[TheMAN]

you're still implying mazda sucks if you're saying it's a "design flaw"... the same kind of design used by many other auto makers

[Booostin]

http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/27/seriouscall.jpg

[Cosmo77]

impossible. on a new car, improbable. when you are under the car and everything is seized to shit, and the bolt of the tie-rod snapped when taking it off, so that set back a few hours to order.

ford and volvo use this design because its the same design shared with mazda.

All those licensed for over 15 years at Mazda, and a Master Tech please raise there hands.....bet I could do it in 45 mins.

And yes sometimes the tie-rod breaks.

[mrfrostyman]

Hey cosmo which one do you work at?

[Cosmo77]

Hey cosmo which one do you work at?

No comment

[Thrizzl3]

i replaced both sides last year..after 150k. no issues since *knock on wood*.

[woodsball_delight]

can i bring mine over for the diy? i got some rear trailing arms I gotta get to lol

[krimsalt]

All those licensed for over 15 years at Mazda, and a Master Tech please raise there hands.....bet I could do it in 45 mins.

And yes sometimes the tie-rod breaks.

I am not saying you personally are not a good mechanic. But licence in this city doesnt mean much. The 25 year master mechanic says he drove manual his whole life but couldn drive my car proper. And he insisted the noise is tires. Im not saying your the same tho lol.

[mazdabetty]

^ yeah don't worry. gabbygenier had this done on his car at a Mazda dealership recently, if the job only took was only 45 minutes he wouldn't have been charged $1000+, mainly in labour lol...

Yeah sure a mechanic with the right tools can do it in no time. Doing it in your own driveway/garage is another story.

Good for you for trying it out anyway I'm sure there are lots of non-licensed/non-Mazda techs here who would love to understand/know how the job is done! :)

[cwp_sedan]

^ yeah don't worry. gabbygenier had this done on his car at a Mazda dealership recently, if the job only took was only 45 minutes he wouldn't have been charged $1000+, mainly in labour lol...

Yeah sure a mechanic with the right tools can do it in no time. Doing it in your own driveway/garage is another story.

Good for you for trying it out anyway I'm sure there are lots of non-licensed/non-Mazda techs here who would love to understand/know how the job is done! :)

You aren't charged more because the job takes longer. You would/should only be charged by the book (time determined by Mazda).

[mazdabetty]

You aren't charged more because the job takes longer. You would/should only be charged by the book (time determined by Mazda).

Exactly.... and 45 minutes was definitely not what he was charged for.... lol he would've saved a hell of a lot of money if that were true!! :P

EDIT: Then again, when I had my alignment done they did in fact charge me more (without my approval) because my tie rods were seized. The manager did end up crediting my account in the end, but they can and will charge more if need be.

[cwp_sedan]

Exactly.... and 45 minutes was definitely not what he was charged for.... lol he would've saved a hell of a lot of money if that were true!! :P

EDIT: Then again, when I had my alignment done they did in fact charge me more (without my approval) because my tie rods were seized. The manager did end up crediting my account in the end, but they can and will charge more if need be.


Yeah I know it's not right that they charge you more when the time is less but that's just how the system works unfortunately. Most times it works out to be more I guess for older vehicles. That's why dealers are iffy when it comes to "some" repairs.

Yeah that's odd since it's part of the service. They shouldn't be charging you more unless something was broken/bent to begin with. At least you got your $ back.

[Rob23]

i can't even count the times ive brought in my car to have something "looked at" and they tell me they will call me but just end up fixing it without calling me. like every time i go to a dealership they do this. this is why i NEVER TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP unless i absolutely have too.
they are scam artists.

[gabbygenier]

@ cosmo77 im going to guess youre like one of the mazda techs where i go for service. youre going to tell us that theres no way we can change things on our car ourselves and do it properly like the rear control arms, shocks, springs

although im not 100% sure whats involved in doing this job. i can bet you that if i brought my car to cosmo77 there is no way in hell he would have got it done it 45 mins. my car had 160 000 + kms on it and at that point parts are getting old and rusted.

[n00bMeiSter]

@ cosmo77 im going to guess youre like one of the mazda techs where i go for service. youre going to tell us that theres no way we can change things on our car ourselves and do it properly like the rear control arms, shocks, springs

although im not 100% sure whats involved in doing this job. i can bet you that if i brought my car to cosmo77 there is no way in hell he would have got it done it 45 mins. my car had 160 000 + kms on it and at that point parts are getting old and rusted.

Hate to say it, but after 10,000km parts are getting old and rusted (or one rainfall, whichever comes first). It's a mazda .... :chuckle

[Cosmo77]

LOL I was thining about you guys today when I was doing one....wish I had my go-pro on.

@gabbygenier I never said people can't do it themselves as a matter of fact I really don'tcare if you do it yourself...its the DIY's that are SUPER cheap and do stuff like buy all the white box brake parts from some flea market and come to me and complain that there brakes are squeaking.

@Everyone....its flat rate, some jobs we beat the time's and some we don't. And after doing 100's of wheel bearings over the years...so guys get good and it and know what to do and how to do it to make things come loose or apart EVEN if they are rusted.

AS for people doing work without authorization from you. Well that is your dealer, not mine. We always get consent before doing work on a customers vehicle, its just common sense and saves head aches for both sides in the end.

[n00bMeiSter]

LOL I was thining about you guys today when I was doing one....wish I had my go-pro on.

@gabbygenier I never said people can't do it themselves as a matter of fact I really don'tcare if you do it yourself...its the DIY's that are SUPER cheap and do stuff like buy all the white box brake parts from some flea market and come to me and complain that there brakes are squeaking.

@Everyone....its flat rate, some jobs we beat the time's and some we don't. And after doing 100's of wheel bearings over the years...so guys get good and it and know what to do and how to do it to make things come loose or apart EVEN if they are rusted.

AS for people doing work without authorization from you. Well that is your dealer, not mine. We always get consent before doing work on a customers vehicle, its just common sense and saves head aches for both sides in the end.

So is there a way to replace the bearing without having to buy the whole bearing / hub assembly? (I need to fix my front passenger side)

[Cosmo77]

No still have the replace the bearing and hub if its a 04 with the small bolt in the center of the axle. If it has a big axle nut then you can seperate the bearing and hub. Both system's take abotu the same amount of time. Look for labor times around the 1.5-2hour mark for a front wheel bearing, dependant on the year.

Someone was asking about trailing arm bushings. I think it pays 3.5hours for the pair (both sides) plus alignment. They can go wither way on the difficulty side. Really dependant on how the sun rose that morning

[krimsalt]

So is there a way to replace the bearing without having to buy the whole bearing / hub assembly? (I need to fix my front passenger side)

Stay tuned for tomorrow when the article is written ;)

[cwp_sedan]

Stay tuned for tomorrow when the article is written ;)

Make sure to take detailed pictures otherwise the how-to is not as useful.

[krimsalt]

Make sure to take detailed pictures otherwise the how-to is not as useful.

considering i already did the job, and i didnt have the ability to stop and take pictures, a few of them will come from internet source

[zoso]

how to change the wheel bearing (i'm skipping basic steps, and my terminology may be a little off but I have done this twice on my car already) This is basic steps and i may have missed something on my recap

1) Take off your wheel
2) Take out the Bolt holding your CV Axle in place
3) remove the tie arm
4) loosen the bolt holding the lower control arm
5) now this is the hard part, and you may need a hand with this. Push down on the arm and take out the Lower ball joint
6) Loosen the bolt holding the knuckle onto the shock
7) remove the knuckle (takes a lot of hitting and lubricant)
8) take it to a shop to press it out and press in a new bearing
9) Get the knuckle onto the Shock doesn't have to be all the way, DO NOT Tighten it
10) Put the Axel back in DO NOT Tighten it
11) Get the lower ball joint back into the knuckle (because the arm wants to push up be careful you don't pinch your fingers
12) once it gets snug in the hole, it will help push the knuckle into place onto the shock but you will need to force it back up into Place (also be very careful with the Metal guide on the shock)
13) on the Shock there is a metal piece that sticks out on the back, this will go into the small slit on the top of the steering knuckle
14) with everything in place, put the tierod back in
15) tighten everything and but the tire back on (Just read this for tightening the bolt on the axle http://www.thaimazda3.com/svmanual/esicont/en/srvc/html/B3E031104060W02.html)

[n00bMeiSter]

No still have the replace the bearing and hub if its a 04 with the small bolt in the center of the axle. If it has a big axle nut then you can seperate the bearing and hub. Both system's take abotu the same amount of time. Look for labor times around the 1.5-2hour mark for a front wheel bearing, dependant on the year.

04 GT. So maybe I'll be lucky and have the big axle nut.
I may need to replace my stabilizer links. But if I just replace the hub for now, and do the links in the spring; is there any chance of damage to the hub/bearing?

[TheMAN]

all 04s and early 05s have the axle bolt
it is a torque to yield bolt and must be replaced

mid year 05s and newer went back to the conventional axle nut which usually is reusable (but not advised)

[krimsalt]

im gunna post my DIY in Engine & Drivetrain, is all good? Or does anyone have another place?

[cwp_sedan]

Are wheel bearings engine or drivetrain related? No.

Since we don't really have a specific section for it, put it in the How-To section.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?84-How-To-Guides-amp-Reference

[n00bMeiSter]

Actually they are drive train related, they are part of the Drive Axle according to warranty.
However, it's a DIY/How-To, so it's a toss up

[krimsalt]

hmm.. but the how-to section is for mods isnt it? not really parts-replacements. and yes what n00b says, they are drivetrain related lol

[cwp_sedan]

Either or is fine.

[n00bMeiSter]

Either or is fine.

Maybe put a link in the other to point to it?

[krimsalt]

- My Fun Experience with the bearings (http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?59201-Krimsalt-s-Experience-with-the-DIY-on-a-front-Wheel-Bearing&p=858913#post858913)

- The DIY (http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?59200-DIY-Front-Wheel-Bearing-Mazda-3-Gen1‏)

Enjoy!

[n00bMeiSter]

Didn't read the whole DIY thread, but I read the other thread. Sounds like quite the adventure lol.

Any issues with the ABS sensor? I've heard they get easily damaged when replacing the hub / bearing.

[krimsalt]

Didn't read the whole DIY thread, but I read the other thread. Sounds like quite the adventure lol.

Any issues with the ABS sensor? I've heard they get easily damaged when replacing the hub / bearing.

if you disconnet the clip first, then gently pry out the piece that sticks into the hub, it should be fine. In my opinion they get "damaged" because the bearing is put in wrong and the magnetic side doesnt face the pulse from the sensor

[n00bMeiSter]

if you disconnet the clip first, then gently pry out the piece that sticks into the hub, it should be fine. In my opinion they get "damaged" because the bearing is put in wrong and the magnetic side doesnt face the pulse from the sensor

Oh. So a little caution and you can save $40 bucks. Sweet.

[xxSlidewaysxx]

Where did you order the parts from?

[krimsalt]

Where did you order the parts from?

The bearings were bought from crappy tire, but the new wheel HUB was mazda

[xxSlidewaysxx]

Cool thanks