Aftermarket Wheel Bearings - A word of warning

[CT]

I've been buying Bearing Trader hubs for a couple of years now and just last week, grabbed a couple more. The bearings and hubs are made by NTN in Japan and sold locally through Bearing Traders. The latest couple don't actually fit. The ABS rings are 2mm larger in diameter than both Mazda ones and previous NTN ones. If you have purchased aftermarket ones and not fitted them, check them. The ABS ring diameter should be around 82.7mm - these were 84.7mm. Meanwhile, it's back to Mazda for spares.

[Caffeine]

I've been buying Bearing Trader hubs for a couple of years now and just last week, grabbed a couple more. The bearings and hubs are made by NTN in Japan and sold locally through Bearing Traders. The latest couple don't actually fit. The ABS rings are 2mm larger in diameter than both Mazda ones and previous NTN ones. If you have purchased aftermarket ones and not fitted them, check them. The ABS ring diameter should be around 82.7mm - these were 84.7mm. Meanwhile, it's back to Mazda for spares.

Tried CBC?

[CT]

I am going to speak with them tomorrow but I am fairly confident that NTN are the only maker of aftermarket front hub/bearing assemblies for the NA/NB MX5s. I wouldn't be suprised if they supply Mazda as well - so I will be interested to see what I find. Will keep you posted.

[Caffeine]

I'll check downstairs, I still have the boxes that the CBC bearings came in and I'll find the part number...

[mx5racing]

Hey CT, we got a heap of sets from Powermax a couple of years back. They were identical to the CBC ones - you just had to swap the ABS ring over. Part number was KWB8013. Still got one left if you need it.

[CT]

Thanks Chris and Liam. It was just spare stock for me so I'm OK at the mo. If the CBC boxes are blue and the kit is a 130 something, they are NTN kits. These ones come with the ABS ring too. Will get to CBC next week and check....

[CT]

I checked with CBC yesterday and their bearing kits are supplied by NTN too - all their stock is the same too - wrong size ABS ring......at leastthe guy at NTN knew of me and the issue....let's hope they can resolve it.

[rascal]

Just on this, I need (I think) new bearings on the front of my 99 NB (non abs)
I rang Mazda and they quoted $250 per side, as cannot buy bearings seperately and have to buy the hub assy as well.

Is this correct? Is there another (cheaper) option?

How much are you guys paying for the bearing kits mentioned here?

Tks
Rus

[Caffeine]

as cannot buy bearings seperately and have to buy the hub assy as well.

Is this correct? Is there another (cheaper) option?

How much are you guys paying for the bearing kits mentioned here?

Tks
Rus

That's correct, the whole hub assembly comes as a sealed unit. I paid around $130ish each for my ABS ring equipped ones.

[philz]

CBC Caffeine?

[CT]

CBC or Bearing Traders.

[Benny]

I had my front wheel bearings replaced recently by Heasmans as one of them was squeeking and sounding a bit dry.
He rang me to say the OEM bearings would cost me around $500, but he had some very good aftermarket ones for around $280 a pair.
Obviously, I went for the aftermarket ones.

Heasmans didn't say anything about the ABS ring not fitting etc., and they seem to be as good as gold to me.