Hubs & Knuckles

[steven d. ferguson]

Katie,
Where are you located?
I can tell you that it's very expensive to have this done by a shop, IF
you can find one in your area that will even take on the job. The Black
list has names of people in most areas that have the specialized tools
required to service and replace bearings and these folks wouldn't be
listed if they weren't very willing to assist. Since I've had my GMC (8
months now) I've only found one shop that has the tools necessary to
correctly service the hubs. Very, very, very costly. Especially since
you're most likely going to find that your lower ball joints need
replacing too. Not many shops do this right either. Check out the list,
give a fellow GMC'er a call and get the assistance this group is willing
to provide or get a recommendation on a tried & true facility in your
area.
Steve Ferguson

 

[gary miller]

Katie,
Steve is exactly right when he says that you will probably find more than
just hubs that need attention. But I feel that the cost factor was somewhat
overstated. Perhaps Steve has just not yet found the kind of dependable and
skilled shop that we are blessed with here on the Central Coast of Oregon
(Anderson Automotive in Bandon). Bearing replacement and ball joints were
less than $200 labor and that to me is a pittance compared to the
consequences of failure of any of these components.

Steve is right on when he says to seek out other fellow GMC'ers. And I will
add that going to a few rallies will give you information and connections
that will be invaluable to your GMC experience.

Gary & Edie
North Bend, Oregon Coast

> Katie,
> Where are you located?
> I can tell you that it's very expensive to have this done by a shop, IF
> you can find one in your area that will even take on the job. The Black
> list has names of people in most areas that have the specialized tools
> required to service and replace bearings and these folks wouldn't be
> listed if they weren't very willing to assist. Since I've had my GMC (8
> months now) I've only found one shop that has the tools necessary to
> correctly service the hubs. Very, very, very costly. Especially since
> you're most likely going to find that your lower ball joints need
> replacing too. Not many shops do this right either. Check out the list,
> give a fellow GMC'er a call and get the assistance this group is willing
> to provide or get a recommendation on a tried & true facility in your
> area.
> Steve Ferguson

 

[steven d. ferguson]

Gary Wrote: Bearing replacement and ball joints were
less than $200 labor and that to me is a pittance compared to the
consequences of failure of any of these components.

That's pretty close Gary. My problem was that the hubs were spinning
in the knuckles and the knuckles had to be refurbed and re-enforcing
accomplished on the lower control arms where the ball joints had come
loose and the idler arm had a pretty good-sizedoblong hole worn in it.
The shop charged me $100 per ball joint. I was ticked off since retail
at Napa is only $72, lord only knows what he charged me for the
bearings. I was really stuck so I just bit my tongue and paid the
piper. Won't happen again and I hope I can keep it from happening to
someone else.
The wheel alignment (different shop) was what I considered to be a
bargain though. All 6 wheels checked, the rears were good and every
adjustment possible had to be done on the front since I had replaced
everything but the tie rods. $150.00 total. Drives like a dream!
Thanks for the comments.
Steve Ferguson