Wheel hubs and bearings need fixing

[Corden]

Anyone have experience with wheel hubs, ABS sensors and bearings?

I have a 97 Ford Freda 2.5 Diesel.
The front bearings are sounding real rough. I grabbed some new bearings off Bongo Spares.co.uk. I took the van to the garage today but they were unable to get the old bearings out due to damage/age etc. They said that the bearings had probably been mashed into the metal and seized.

The garage told me that I could look for another pair of wheel hubs with ABS sensors and replace the whole hub. I've seen these on bongo spares at £115 each but I'm not sure if these are what I'm after. (noob)

The garage also said I could just get the sensors and they would get the other parts. Ive seen a set of new sensors on bongo spare for nearly £400!!! Then how much are the parts the garage are gonna get?

I feel like this could a costly repair.

Has anyone else had any experience with this or has anyone got any guidance?

I've seen that bongo spares is just over an hour away from my location. I'm wondering if its worth taking the van to some experts. Not sure what other specialists are nearby. I'm based around stoke/staffs, crewe/Cheshire area.

Im stressed.

[Bob]

Bongo Spares know what they’re about, also Ian Taylor, Stoke.

[Hazzobongo]

I'd let the local garage souce the parts and give you a price, wheel hubs are a generic item and will be fitted to multiple makes of car which garages source source parts for from motor factors locally I recently fitted abs sensors on my daughters mini cooper which were recommended to be replaced along with discs and pads, they were 13 quid a side and I doubt Mazda makes those either, 400 quid is a joke.

[teenmal]

I'd let the local garage souce the parts and give you a price, wheel hubs are a generic item and will be fitted to multiple makes of car which garages source source parts for from motor factors locally I recently fitted abs sensors on my daughters mini cooper which were recommended to be replaced along with discs and pads, they were 13 quid a side and I doubt Mazda makes those either, 400 quid is a joke.

That's good news never knew that they generic, are the 4wd and 2wd hubs the same and do you know of any other compatible hubs from different manufacturers ,

[Hazzobongo]

I've no idea between 2w and 4w drive but as they have nothing to do with the drive system I can't see why they'd be different, any parts I need I tend to use the same motor factors the garages use as they normally have a counter outlet, for small parts like the sensors I'll take one with me and tell them what its off, in this case a mazda and let them look through their parts fiches on the computer.

I doubt any of the makers make much in the way of hubs, sensors, relays, brake parts etc etc.

I used to go to a mob called NPA who were excellent for pretty much all consumables but I moved so sourced others where I now live, even so NPA have another outlet only ten miles up the road so if I cant get something in the local town I'll go the few miles.

I had no trouble getting anything for my toyota truck in these outlets and it was an import.

[sotal]

Ian Taylor, on the edge of Longton may be able to help you out. He used to sell hundreds of bongos and repair and service them. He used to have a yard full of donor bongos to get parts from. However last time I went down there it was all cleaned up. No bongos in pieces in sight! He might have a collection of the parts inside though.

The ABS sensors are ridiculously expensive. I had one go and ended up getting one for about £70 after a lot of searching.

[teenmal]

I've no idea between 2w and 4w drive but as they have nothing to do with the drive system I can't see why they'd be different,



Hazzobongo , just a wee bit of information regarding 2wd and 4wd hubs ,the 2wd hub has a thread and nut ,the 4wd hub has a straight through hole that the drive shaft goes throughout and gets secured with a nut and it drives the front wheels when required.

[Hazzobongo]

OK Teenmal but what I'm saying is that these hubs and most other parts are made for car companies by other companies and they'll be produced for several vehicle makes and not be Mazda specific, this is how theres an alternative parts list for items for the bongo above these posts, its just a matter of finding what fits.

Obviously if the dealership provides your parts they're going to cost more as they'll come in Mazda packaging with the ridiculous markup, similarly these 'specialist' parts suppliers for bongos here have expenses incurred sourcing their gear but they're either having them made specially or buying from their local motor factors also.

For instance the timing belt kit I just bought from bongospares is nothing special its simply a 101 tooth belt with an eccentric tensioner included come from FAI automotive which is simply another motor factors from what I can see online.

[Corden]

A quick update.

I have finally got the bearings sorted. Oh my days! The ride is soooo much quieter now. I might even be able to listen to music now.

I had spoken to Ian Taylor, a bongo expert in Stoke and he pretty much suggested the same thing as the garage had told me before. He did put me at ease though and is very welcoming with his advice. So thank Ian. Lots of help.

I sourced new bearings and some hubs from bongo spares. I had the new bearings put into the hubs and fitted on the van today.

I'm happy that I managed to get them sorted in the end. Took awhile but we finally got there.

Thank you everyone here for your advice and guidance.