I just recently had my front driver's side hub go out, just over 297K miles so quite impressive. I ordered a Timken hub a week ago from Rockauto as they are one of the only hubs known to have the Koyo bearings since Moog stopped using them, and to my dismay it appears Timken has also stopped using them as well. I ordered one a few years ago, also from Rockauto for the passenger front and it said Koyo Japan on the ABS sensor, however on this one there is no lettering at all, similar to the generic chinese bearings used on cheaper hubs. Definitely disappointed, I called Timken and they are supposed to get back to me regarding what bearings are currently being used. However, there is a likely chance that the newer manufacture hubs from them are no longer using Koyo bearings. Just a FYI for anyone looking to purchase these since they are supposed to have the Koyo bearings.

 

I replaced my front and rear passenger side hubs with Koyo axle hubs. They looked identical to the original OEMs taken off. Aren’t Koyo hubs still available?

 

Koyo hubs cost 3x-4xtimes more than Timkens.
it’s sad if Timken downgraded their hubs

 

that summed it up. It's cost reduction

 

The Timken rear axle hub is listed on autohausAZ for $241.42 and the Koyo rear axle hub is listed for $269.99 I'm aware these are rear axle hubs and not fronts.

https://www.autohausaz.com/catalog?v...5~7&c=5&page=1

 

Got you. I also checked rockauto, looks like Inflation did its job and front Timkens are no longer cheap. I see pricing above 200 as well.

 

I bought OE for my spare 4 that I keep around, timken is starting to go the way of Moog.....it's very sad but they refuse to just increase prices.

I've taken to just buying OE for my high end cars now due to the further degrading quality

 

If you're able to wait a couple weeks, usually less, they are currently just under $250 shipped from Amayama.

https://www.amayama.com/en/part/toyota/4355050011

 

Just as a reminder on how much money you are saving, I just had both front hubs replaced with new Lexus ones at a cost of £1250 (US$1550) including 3 hours labour and taxes.
I have a problems with my back so can't do them myself and the front left sounded like a coffee grinder chewing on gravel, so it needed replacing NOW!
If I'd been able to do them myself it would have cost me around $300 for the parts and 4-5 hours.
Oh well, it's only money <sigh>

 

Bringing this back up from the dead.

OP: did you diagnose a failed hub bearing by hearing a humming sound at highway speeds?

 

A highway with a long curve or a large empty parking lot is a good place to diagnose a bad bearing.
If you hear thumping or grinding when you turn to the left one of your right bearings is bad and vice versa.
Another method- safely raise (jack up) the wheel in question. Put one hand on the coil spring and rotate the wheel with your other hand. If the bearing is bad you'll feel a vibration through the spring.

 

I just went through this last month. I had a slight howl over 70mph and on long sweeping curves that went left, which told me it was the right wheel bearing. I did the jack up and try to wiggle the wheel and it all seemed fine, no movement.
Anyway I ordered some cheap wheel bearings on Amazon as my car is pretty old and high miles, I figured I'd roll the dice. Price was $130ish for set of 2.

I'm old and wasn't looking forward to taking this on, but I jacked the car back up and literally had the bearing off in about 20 mins. After removing the 4 rear bolts it was one minor blow with a 5lb sledge and it popped right out. When I went to put the new one in I noticed the sway bar link was broken. Great. I tracked down another and that install was trickier than the wheel bearing.
Anyway, it took about 90 mins to do both and the car is quiet and smooth and now handles better. I thought about OEM parts but at $320, I was willing to roll the dice. I now have about 2K miles on it and it seems fine. Will it last? no idea. I read a post by striker223 where he reported using lower end parts and he gave the long term results, so I thought I would try an aftermarket bearing. If it fails, I will report back.

 

Thanks for sharing. The thing about me, I rather spend a little bit more money to NOT have to do it again, I have zero faith in Chinese/Mexican made parts.

 

I will say this came at a time where I just had to replace a flickering tail light(OEM, no choice), change out all the motor mounts (OEM), Front caster bearings (OEM) so I felt like I was putting a lot of cash into a car with 193K miles. The car is now all dialed in does not need anything and I find myself driving it more than an newer Camry I have. It's just a better, quieter, smoother car.

 

Jackpot!