I'm new to this forum - first post although I come around to see what'* being said. I have a 2000 SSei (Black w/gunmetal grey leather interior) which I LOVE!!!! but all of a sudden I'm throwing $$ at it :(

The latest thing today is the front wheel bearing. The Dealer quoted me $800 (GM retail price) for the part. Everywhere else for same part installed is around $300. What'* the story?

I'm a girl and I don't really know what'* fair, but isn't that outrageous? this is a genuine question... maybe it'* not outrageous, I don't know

Ah yes...wheel bearings...

Unfortunately on these cars the wheel bearings, hub and ABS sensors are a sealed unit, this adds to their cost. Bearings can be bought from the dealler or from aftermarket parts suppliers...with a huge difference in price.

I think the part is about $340 US retail from GM so someone is exagerating a bit. You could get them cheaper at about $125 US for Timkin bearings from places like Autozone. If it were my car I would only instal the GM replacement bearings.

For your own information, at least for my car and your'* should be the same, the service time involved is only 0.4 hours.

If you were quoted $800, that'* about double what the installed price should be.

Cheers,

Thanks for the reply FogHorn. I did check around a bunch of places to check on his quote. When the guy at the Dealership gave me the $800 price on that part, believe me I complained .

Where would I get GM parts besides the dealer? I've been looking online - seems like many places, but how do I know what really IS a genuine gm part?

You can go to www.gmpartsdirect.com

GM PART # 12429204
CATEGORY: Front Wheel Hub
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $401.70
OUR PRICE: $151.00
DESCRIPTION: HUB KIT

There shipping is where thay make the money, but still you'll get it much cheaper than any of the quotes you recieved. From there all you need to do is have it installed.

Call the dealer back and ask the service manager why you were quoted $800 for a part they sell for $401.70 to anyone that just walks in?

Cheers,

I just replaced my drivers side front wheel bearing a few weeks ago, I managed a deal at $290 cdn.
A good u.*. source for gm parts is
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/

Working outside with only hand tools took me about an hour?

If you put your year and location in your profile, we may have a member nearby that can help. Foghorn, thanks for the p/n. My book needs a correction for the updated part.

The dealer fixed it - price out the door was about $390, which isn't bad since it included doing the rear brake rotors.

Next time, tho, I come here first. Thanks for all your replies!

I have one more question regarding the grade of gas to use. I was told to use premium, but every other tank or so I could use plus, or mid level, but not regular. Does that sound kosher ?

Glad to hear you got it fixed and at a reasonable price.
You really should only run premium fuel in a supercharged engine, any knocking or pinging can really rob power and fuel economy.

GM does not make their own bearings, they are made by Timkin or BCA and the other major companies. They just box them in GM boxes. You are paying a higher price just for the name. Go to any auto store and just buy bearings from any of the major companies and you will be fine!

Just so we're clear its not just the bearing here. Its the bearing, hub, wheel studs, speed sensor and spline adapter. The whole assembly has to be chaged out (all included with one part number).