Seems a lot of folks are needing wheel bearings replaced early in life. Mine are going at 95Kmi, some have been shot at under 50Kmi. Apparently on the 3rd Gen Prius the wheel bearings are ball type instead of the older roller type - I guess to reduce bearing friction. Timken makes a higher priced version that might be a better choice for those planning to drive their 3rd gen for a long while. Got over 300 Kmi on my old 2000 Honda Insight with never a bearing replacement. Anyone with opinions on replacing with the Toyota OEM that fail earlier, or going with the Timken ?
My mechanic thinks it may have something to do with arcing across the bearing. He has seen keyless cars have this issue. My 2013 only went 75k before I replaced both front bearings.
That would be very strange. Any details on that theory? Most wheel bearing failures I've known about on other cars were due to maladjustment or to water (or dirt) intrusion. Has anyone noticed whether their prematurely failed Prius bearings show signs of rust, meaning water got in? Or is this merely a case of inept design? My Subaru went beyond 190K with no trouble in its (ball) wheel bearings. My Mazda went over 600K miles with no trouble from the original bearings on three of its wheels, but the left front pair had to be replaced three times due to water invasion.
I don't know where my mechanic got his information, but he also mentioned hearing about it happening inside a transmission of a ford also.
This is our first Toyota, have been Honda since the early eighties. Never had a bearing failure. Did have a few CV joint issues.
