is there anything i should do or look for when replacing a wheel bearing on the drivers side front? And what replacement bearings do people recommend?

 

It is important to NOT over tighten the axle nut. See the FSM for more information. Replacing the bearings and races is not a particularly straighforward operation with these cars. Mazda sells the hub with the bearings already installed. See the How-to on the Mazdatrix web site and you'll see what I mean.

Mazdatrix has the bearings, or find an exact equivalent at a bearing supply company. [Yeah, there are such places.] The latter will be at least as good as the original, and probably a bit cheaper. Take the old bearing with you if you buy from such a supplier.

 

Do a quick search - there have been several discussions on this. You may want to try cleaning and repacking the bearings first, unless you are hearing obvious rubbing noises.

New bearings are available through any of the standard autoparts stores. Get both the "cone" and the "cup" (aka. the bearing and the race). Go to the Mazdatrix site for info on one method for punching out the old race. If you have a friend with a welder you can try the "run a bead around the race" method (discussed in several of the threads).

Good luck,

-bill

 

Mazdatrix method for removing the old races is gay IMO.

Lay a bolt across the center, tack the ends to the race, flip it over and give it a tap with a hammer. Usually they will just drop out if you flip the hub over and smack it on the ground.

 

tack welding a bolt across the races is a very good idea.... Although more people are likely to own a dremel tool then a mig or tig welder. Lucky for me I have both

 

Do the Mazdatrix bearing include the races?

 

so basically if i dont hear any noise that sounds like a bearing then i can just clean and re pack the bearing with greese and if that doesnt work then put a new bearing and race in? and its a pain to take out....

 

the part number from mazdatrix is 33-0470-B001 in the picture it has the race with it so im assuming it does but you never know

 

o and can you reuse the seal or is it better to just buy a new one

 

honestly inspect the races before going through the pain of removal. a lot of people think you have to remove the race you don't HAVE to. if the race shows no signs of damage (and i mean none at all you can still use it. people may not agree with me but it isn't a problem at all. say for instance you have to replace a rotor on a 4wd truck were the rotor is also the hub. most the time the new hub with come with pre-installed races to save you time. they are expecting you to use the vehicles old bearings or new ones. if the races are not damaged save yourself the time repack new bearings and stuff them in.

 

Definitely replace the seals if you remove them to clean or replace the backside bearings. It's cheap insurance.

 

ok i figured that

 

I agree 100%. You don't even need to repack them unless the grease is nasty, just tighten the nut up with a new cotter pin. The tightening is the tricky part. Snug up, spin the hub, snug up, spin the hub, and repeat until it doesn't snug up with moderate force.

Exactly. FC3S.org used to have a write up on it.

If the bearing was making any noises/rumbling at all, the race and bearing are trash. If it was just loose, that's another animal.

 

Use proper torque spec for the nut, over and under torquing can cause premature bearing failure I have seen it many times every bearing I've torqued properly has not failed.

 

NAPA sells the races/bearings and Advance sells the bearings. They're A LOT cheaper than Mazdatrix. I've purches the races, bearings, and seals for about 1/2 what it would cost through Mazdatrix.

 

ok thanks alot do you still have the parts number by any chance?

 

ebay has a decent deal on the wheel bearings and races. I beleive they are selling koyo brand or skb replacements should b cool

 

No, but if you go and ask they'll know. I also need to amend my post. Advance sells the bearings with the races. However, they don't sell the seal. NAPA sells all of the above. I just went in and asked for wheel bearings, gave them car info, and they looked it up.

 

thanks for the help