repeated wheel bearing failure 05 corolla

[huntertownsen]

Hell ,im new to your forum, ty for making it, and any help in advance. I am having issues with the left front wheel bearing, I am not sure if I am doing something wrong or whats happening. I just replaced the front wheel bearing for the 4th time. the vehicle only has 55k miles on it. A little history on the vehicle, it was my mothers , she had to give it up because her driving skills have gone south. about 15k ago , she hit a curb, it damaged the lower a arm and rack for the steering , I replaced the damaged parts, and had it aligned, about 2k miles after that the wheel bearing failed. she had this repaired at a shop. it failed again about 3k miles later. I replaced it myself and it lasted about the same amt of time. since then it has failed 2 more times. I noticed after the last replacement when i make left hand turns , it sounds like its rubbing on the dust shield. ir once again lasted about the same amt of time. I just replaced it again and its doing the same thing , as before it has 0 miles on the replacement. I have been turning wrenches my whole life, I have replaced 1000's of bearings of all types, w/o issues. I assumed i made an error on the last replacement , so i did alot of research on this and followed everything to the letter. I am pressing these in , supporting the inner and outer races, and they are pressing in smoothly. to me it acts like there is play in the hub bearing assembly, but it presses nicely , I also replaced the hub this time for the sake of it. I am at a loss, the only thing i can think of is I am using import bearings, I talked in great deal to the supply store, they said they dont have any issues with the product. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

 

[alan333]

Not sure if the arrangement on your particular car is the same, but my Father had similar problems with a Peugeot 206 a few years ago.  It went through two N/S/F bearings in a very short time and virtually no miles.  I can't exactly remember the details but I'm pretty sure it was something to do with a washer/spacer being missing, somewhere between the driveshaft and hub.  Perhaps try to find an exploded diagram of yours and ensure all the parts are there.

edit - his was a 55 plate Pug 206 estate

[oldcodger]

Just looking in the Haynes manual and it does cover renewing those bearings, but apart from the bearing circlip it does not show or mention any other washers etc.

In view of whats been replaced, what about the driveshaft, could that be slightly bent ?

Although only a few miles done, any clues from  excessive tyre tread wear ?

[Vitor Pereira]

Not sure you're familiar with it. Have a look at http://www.japan-parts.eu/. Diagrams available.