My '05 has 33K on it and about 8-10 track days. A left rear wheel bearing was replaced a few weeks ago and now it's starting to sound like I need the right rear as well. Was wondering if you track people had rear bearings fail with this kind of use. Was also wondering if I should take the spacers off the wheels (10mm on the rears). Any insight appreciated.

 

My '03 track model had umpteen track days and over 50K on it when I elected to replace all the wheel bearings on it. The LR started to get noisy and I decided it was cheap insurance to replace the others.

IMO- bearing wear can be accelerated whenever you take the car off the track. Spacers will definitely add some stress as well, but how much is difficult to quantify unless you're an engineer.

 

jack up the car and see if there is any play when put pressure on the wheel. Put on hand on the top of the tire and the other at the bottom and see if you can get any wiggle out of it. If so you might want to have it replaced.

I replaced all mine at the 60,000 mile mark.

 

I did mine around the 50k point too just to be safe (didn't need it)

 

Thanks guys, I was hoping I wouldn't get 10 responses indicating the bearings are a weakness in the car's design but I'm still scratching my head about why they're failing so soon. FYI about replacing them "just to be safe", you will get a metal on metal noise warning you of wear that can sound like a squeaky spring at first but always oscillates like it's related to the wheel rotating. No reason to change em before you hear that...

 

https://my350z.com/forum/nismo-350z/363843-nismo-wheel-bearings-crap.html

here read this.... My husband and I have been through 3 wheel bearings in the last 2 months.

 

Thanks Ex2 for the link (why don't searches bring up specific posts like yours ?)
You sure opened-up a giant can of blah-blah with the show & shiners. Sometimes car love = rubbing (wax), sometimes car love= racing, but it's all love I suppose. I'm going to try to chalk this up to a bad batch of bearings and see if Timken makes a difference. You and the hubby should think about the Chin Motorsports event at VIR in early Nov since you're in the neighborhood. Me and my buddies are going to try to get there.
Keep your foot down...

 

Yeah, the searches aren't always perfect... but it's kinda hard to figure out where to post such an issue.. is it drag is it car specific lol we havn't had an issue with the new bearings.. but We've only had them about 10 days now, we'll see how they hold up on the 27th at the track, I plan on running her hard. I'm really really aiming for a 13.2 this time. I would love to do that at VIR.. didn't know about it I'll check into it.

 

I'll be replacing all 4 corners this coming week. Let you all know how it turns out. Going to try to locate the Timkin replacement bearings vs. the OEMs. Anyone have the part numbers for the Timkins?

Front are at the point I have to tap the brakes pre-braking markers at the track to reseat the pads back to the rotors. Rotor deflection due to loose bearings FTL.

 

Some of the wheel bearing problems people are having may be due to the fact that a lot of cars have wheels with offsets that are far from OEM specs.Getting that fat lip look puts extra load on the bearings.

 

I got my front and rear Timkin wheel bearings from www.autopartswarehouse.com but I am sure many places sell them.

Timkin front = HA590027
Timkin rear = BM500006

These parts number came right off the Timkin labeled boxes...

You may want to check to confirm what years this fits... but I believe they fit 2003-2006, but maybe later MY..dont know for sure.

 

How difficult is the job? I've replaced my wheel studs, done my BBK, done most everything except the JWT kit. No idea how the wheel bearing replacement is.

 

hard to beat these prices!!

 

I try to buy my "spare parts" when www.autopartswarehouse.com has big sales. They often have between 5% to 15% off sales...When they do, I buy things like brake rotors, wheel bearings, water hoses, misc crappage

 

Well, ordered a full set for my G. Not sure what the part numbers were, but the ones I ordered were listed as 2003-2006 G35/G35X, so they should be good.

From the searching I have done, the fronts should be easy, but the rears require a machine to press the new bearings in. I might take it all apart, and then have my neighbor drive me to a local machine shop...

I'll post up this weekend how difficult it is.

 

Oh, do a search for "autopartswarehouse coupon" I found a site that listed them all, and got $20 off and free shipping for $300 or more orders.

 

are those timkin parts good? Nissan OEM is the same price..actually a bit cheaper. I have an invoice somewhere. I'm going to install my parts soon as well.

 

I don't know, I'll find out soon enough, I guess. The Timken rears were about $10 cheaper a piece at APW, and there were no OEM fronts available.

 

I spoke with someone yesterday who thought there's a very strong chance Timken _IS_ OEM (just not Nissan boxed). He said they make the OEM stuff for a number of Subarus too... wouldn't surprise me. Anyone else confirm/deny this?

 

R-compound tires will also accelerate bearing wear because of their "stickiness." i have about 56k miles on mine and several track days as well. thankfully, there are no weird metallic noises, vibrations, or play. i do have new OEM replacements on hand though.