Front wheel bearings this is the seventh or eighth time?

Tiny
1CRAZYGUIDO
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 KIA RIO HYBRID
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 108,000 MILES
Okay, so my front wheel bearings have gone out yet again this is the seventh or eighth time in the year and a half that I’ve owned the vehicle so I called the Kia dealership to speak to someone about getting them replaced there because I’ve always taken it to mom and Pop garages and figured you know what screw it. I’m going to try and take it to the dealership. Unfortunately, when I called to speak to them, they informed me that Kia no longer makes the spacer that has to go between the bearings for the preload, so they are unable to do anything with the wheel bearings now. I love this car. It’s only got a little over 100,000 miles on it so I don’t want to get rid of it but I don’t know what to do. Nobody seems to be able to take care of the wheel bearings so if you have any suggestions of how I could possibly upgrade them to something else or take something from a different model that would work with my car. I don’t know, I’m desperate at this point so any suggestions you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 AT 3:18 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Can I ask if you have changed the rims or tire size on this car? If so, this will be the problem, the rims must be the stock offset, and the tires must be the same size. If not, I can see why the bearing goes out, it is because they used non sealed bearing hubs, so the spacers set the preload and if that is incorrect the bearing will be over tightened and never stand a chance. Check out the images (below).
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2024 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
1CRAZYGUIDO
  • MEMBER
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It has 185-65-14 tires with stock 14” rims.
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Saturday, December 7th, 2024 AT 12:41 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, this would be an installation error making the bearings go out because they are too tight.
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Saturday, December 7th, 2024 AT 12:24 PM
Tiny
1CRAZYGUIDO
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  • 25 POSTS
Okay, but the problem is that there is nowhere to get a new spacer, so what can I do?
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Saturday, December 7th, 2024 AT 12:28 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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You are going to need to have a machine shop make you a spacer shims, it should not cost to much but you will need to give them the old spacer so they have something to work with.
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Sunday, December 8th, 2024 AT 9:53 AM
Tiny
1CRAZYGUIDO
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Um okay. Is it possible to use spindle knuckle and hub assembly from 2001 Hyundai Accent? I’m only asking because I’m not aware of any machine shops in the area that I live in.
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 AT 3:12 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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You can use anything that will fit, you will need to match the parts up to see if they will work.
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Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 AT 10:29 AM
Tiny
1CRAZYGUIDO
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
  • 2001 KIA RIO
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 111,569 MILES
I’ve just recently ordered new steering knuckles hubs bearings seals and spacers for my Rio. Now I know how to put them together what I need clarification on is exactly how to set the preload properly so that I don’t waste all the money I just spent for these parts so if you can help me I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
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Monday, January 27th, 2025 AT 9:59 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Nice work, here is how to set the bearing preload. Remember to add the correct spacers, if you leave them out the bearings will go bad again. Check out the images (below). Let us know if you need anything else.
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Monday, January 27th, 2025 AT 10:27 AM
Tiny
1CRAZYGUIDO
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Well it took forever but the steering knuckles finally came in so I’m definitely ready to get the bearings hubs ect taken care of. I just have a question because of things I have read in the Kia forum and multiple people are talking about how you need a special tool when setting the preload but not a single one of them actually say what this tool is. So I’m really hoping that you can tell me what it is and whether or not I actually need it in order to set the preload. Look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you so very much.
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Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 AT 10:13 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I have never heard of the tool to set the preload except for a micrometer (dial caliper) to measure the bearing gap to the shims to help get measurement correct, but it will be trial and error to make sure they are not too tight which is what ruins the last bearings. Also, leave a little play because when the bearings heat up, they expand.
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+1
Thursday, February 27th, 2025 AT 9:50 AM
Tiny
1CRAZYGUIDO
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  • 25 POSTS
Thank you so very much for your assistance it is so greatly appreciated.
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Thursday, February 27th, 2025 AT 2:18 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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You are welcome, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Friday, February 28th, 2025 AT 5:26 PM

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