Need to change tie rods, wheel bearings, hub assembly, but what part to buy?

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vieboi

Member
Location
Vancouver
I was hearing some hum from my front of the car, the faster I go the louder it sounds. At first I thought it was the cars engine, then later I thought it was something wrong with wheel balancing and alignment, so I took the car to a local wheel alignment and suspension shop, they drove test and said both front and rear wheel bearing at passenger side, as well as tie rods needed to be replaced. They quoted me $1395 +taxes for parts and labor.
Feeling like I have been hit by a rock. I did a little research online when got home and found out it's much cheaper to buy parts online and either do it myself or bring it to a cheaper local shop. Labor cost would be around 3-4 hours.
The confusion is which parts to buy. I have very little knowledge about how car works.
I have 2003 FX35 AWD.

1) Should I just replace tie rods and two wheel bearings on passenger side or replace everything (tie rods and all 4 wheel bearings)
2) Should I buy the bearing alone or whole assembly, or does it just come one style for front and one style for rear?
3) For either the bearing or whole assembly, does it matter for left/right side, or front/rear matter? I got very confuse about it. infinitipartsusa lists everything with left and right (no specify front or rear), but roockauto only says front or rear.
4) Now for tie rods. I believe tie rod is for front wheels only? (sorry for my car knowledge) So I only need to buy 2 sets
4) Do I need both inner tie rod and outer tie rod? How about other parts of tie rod?
5) Anything else do I need?

Thanks for answering some of my Newbie questions
​
 
You need inner tie rod or outer tie rod?
Inner: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/185-6086930-4184915?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=MEVOTECH+Part+%23+MS30711
Outer:http://www.amazon.com/Deeza-Chassis...ive&Make=Infiniti|68&Year=2003|2003&carId=001
Front Hub Bearing Assembly: http://www.amazon.com/Timken-HA5901...ive&Make=Infiniti|68&Year=2003|2003&carId=001
Rear Hub Bearing: http://www.amazon.com/Timken-Bm5000...ive&Make=Infiniti|68&Year=2003|2003&carId=001

---------- Post Merged at 11:10 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 11:05 PM ----------

My experience was that the ABS sensor most likely will be seized onto the hub when you replace the front hub bearing. I would suggest to have the ABS Sensor on hand, http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Motor-Products-ALS784-Sensor/dp/B001TEOKXE/ref=au_pf_ss_1?ie=UTF8&Model=FX35%7C928&n=15684181&s=automotive&Make=Infiniti%7C68&Year=2003%7C2003&carId=001

Note these links are for reference. I'm sure you can find them cheaper on ebay or RockAuto.

---------- Post Merged at 11:15 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 11:05 PM ----------

Here are the DIYs:
Front hub bearing, https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=11012-HOW-TO-Replace-AWD-Front-Hub-Bearing-Assembly
Rear hub bearing, https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=15192-DIY-How-to-Replace-Rear-Wheel-Bearing

---------- Post Merged at 11:16 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 11:05 PM ----------

Lastly, I would replace what needed for now. You know you will need an alignment afterward.
 
I would replace sway bar bushings and links as well. Check to see if ur motorounts are in tact. If your car is over 80k i would replace your struts and shocks as well.

---------- Post Merged at 09:36 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 09:34 PM ----------

inner tie rod is connected to your outter tie rod and its not one piece. If you got the money amd ur car is over 100k replace it.

---------- Post Merged at 09:39 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 09:34 PM ----------

Rack and pinion steering system (which the FX has) consists of 2 outter tie rods and 2 inner tie rods both located in the front
 
Thank everyone for detail info.
As the the wheel bearing I know that people recommended Timken, how about tie rods and sway bar links? Do you have any particular referred brand or they are most likely the same?
la_fx35: I note from your links, the Rear Hub Bearing part doesn't have hub assembly. Do you know anywhere that sells the bearing & hub already pressed together? I'm thinking to do it myself, so it would be easier.

How do you rate this job from 1 - 10? 1 would be very easy for beginner and 10 would be for only experienced mechanic to do it.
 
I don't think the rear bearing and hub comes pressed together. Most place that I seen sell them together, but not pressed in. I guess replacing the hub save you the trouble of getting it off the old bearing.

I would rate this job a 8 if you reuse the old hub, 6 if using a new hub,
 
vieboi said:
Thank everyone for detail info.
As the the wheel bearing I know that people recommended Timken, how about tie rods and sway bar links? Do you have any particular referred brand or they are most likely the same?
la_fx35: I note from your links, the Rear Hub Bearing part doesn't have hub assembly. Do you know anywhere that sells the bearing & hub already pressed together? I'm thinking to do it myself, so it would be easier.

How do you rate this job from 1 - 10? 1 would be very easy for beginner and 10 would be for only experienced mechanic to do it.
Click to expand...

Not sure about some of the advice you have been getting here.

I would NOT replace your tie rods. I can't even imagine why they would need replacing unless taking damage from road debris. Maybe the bushings are aging? Sounds fishy to me.

I've also never had problems with the ABS sensor - it's plastic and mounted with one bolt. Take out the bolt and the sensor will slide out. If not, hit it with WD40 and wiggle it.

As for the hubs, they come as one peice. There is no separate bearing to purchase, no pressing in. Buy four Timkin hubs (which are OEM by the way) and make sure you buy the proper hubs for RWD or AWD if you have it.

With this handy DIY I put together a couple years ago, I think you could handle it without any significant experience. The question is - do you want to? Take a look at the DIY and decide for yourself.

https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=7595-Replace-front-Hub-(RWD)

All four hubs shipped to your door should be less than $450.
 
jumbosrule said:
I would NOT replace your tie rods. I can't even imagine why they would need replacing unless taking damage from road debris. Maybe the bushings are aging? Sounds fishy to me.
Click to expand...
He did not mention if he needed the inner or outer tie rod. I have not needed to replace the inner tie rod. I suspect he need the outer tie rod end because of wear and tare on the ball joint.

jumbosrule said:
I've also never had problems with the ABS sensor - it's plastic and mounted with one bolt. Take out the bolt and the sensor will slide out. If not, hit it with WD40 and wiggle it.
Click to expand...
You're lucky to be in a state there no snow! That sensor seize so bad on my 03 that I have to drill it out!

jumbosrule said:
As for the hubs, they come as one peice. There is no separate bearing to purchase, no pressing in. Buy four Timkin hubs (which are OEM by the way) and make sure you buy the proper hubs for RWD or AWD if you have it.
Click to expand...
Yea front hub bearing assembly comes in one piece. I have not seen the rear bearing hub assembly comes in one pieces though. They sell them together but not pressed in.
 
I'm not sure whether I need inner or outer tie rod, probably the outer tie rods. I thought someone mention replacing both if my car is over 80K.
I know very little about suspension, I don't even know what a tie-rod does. But the guy at alignment shop said he can't do an alignment until the tie rods are replaced.
Since they're not expensive I'm thinking to replace all. Is difficult to replace the inner? Or should I just need replacing the outer? Execute for my car knowledge.
I found out infinitipartsusa selling the rear bearing hub assembly. Can someone please verify part#43202WL010-1431950-98477 . Am I correct? Are they pressed together? Can i use different brand wheel bearing for each wheel?
jumbosrule: can you show me where to buy 4 timken hubs, and correct part# or links?
 
check link for wheel bearing info https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=12482-Anyone-Replace-FX35-Rear-Wheel-Bearing-Hub


I think infinitiparts usa does not sell the bearing pressed in. Also im sure ur outter tie rod might be bad, buy oem and replace both fronts. You can do this its very easy heres a diy writeup https://www.infinitiscene.com/search/1/?q=9487-2003-2008-FX35-FX45-Outer-Tie-Rod-Replacement

---------- Post Merged at 11:40 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 11:38 PM ----------

Also how many miles do you have on ur car? I was saying that its best to change ur shocks and struts at 60k, i change mine at 80k, and noticed my front right strut was bad. If your around 100k i would eplace them asap
 
For the rear wheel bearing, do we nee
My car is a bit over 90K now. So need to replace shocks and struts as well? Can you show the the correct part# for shocks and struts?
Seems like so many things to replace, and I don't even know how they work together...
 
The part you listed, 43202WL010-1431950-98477 (item #5 on the Infinitipartsusa site) is for the hub only. If you follow the Inifinitipartsusa site, item #7; product code 43210WL000-1431950-9871 for the bearing; therefore, they are two separate parts and definitely will not be pressed together. BTW, that is not a the oem "part #", it's a product code or catelog # instead.

Just remember that jumbosrule has a RWD, so the front hub bearing assembly part # he ordered will not work for your AWD. unless he looked it up for you for your AWD. Anyhow, the Timken front bearing and hub assembly that I have listed above from Amazon is the one you need. Here is it again! http://www.amazon.com/Timken-HA590125-Axle-Bearing-Assembly/dp/B000IYHXO4/ref=au_pf_ss_1?ie=UTF8&Model=FX35%7C928&n=15684181&s=automotive&Make=Infiniti%7C68&Year=2003%7C2003&carId=001

To me bearing is bearing, it doesn't bother me if they're all different brands as long as they of good quality. Timken or SKS are bigger names in bearing!

As for tie rod, the inner need a "special tool" that you can rent from Autozone if you need to replace that. It's not difficult. very stlight chance you need the inner tie rod (speaking from experience). Most likely will be the outer tie rod end is what you needed because the wear and tare on the ball joint that gives the play and it may have caused by weaken struts.

Struts and shocks; most of us replace them around 60K. If you still on stock struts and shocks at 90K, Pretty sure they're due. There is only one replacement out there for our car. KYB http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Pieces-KY...niti&hash=item27c62f6df7&vxp=mtr#ht_580wt_941​
 
Thanks all. Placed order for all necessary parts. Now is the time to collect all DIY write-ups and FSM. I will have some fun this weekend.
 
Hi guys, it took me awhile to look after my car, since I was busy last few weeks. Do you know which size for the center hub nut? I guess it would be around 30-32 mm, but not sure.
 
vieboi said:
Thanks all. Placed order for all necessary parts. Now is the time to collect all DIY write-ups and FSM. I will have some fun this weekend.
Click to expand...

Your better off buying the parts and doing the work yourself, its not that hard and when your done just bring it in for an alingment. Lots of DIY's here if you need any help.
 
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