Rep Power: 267

What makes a wheel bearing go bad prematurely? Last year when my wheel studs sheared off, I also replaced the front wheel bearings to not have to worry about them again for a while. Today I go for an alignment and the driver's wheel shakes all over the place. Yeah!

So is replacing a good bearing before it goes bad like poking a sleeping bear? Is this an "If it ain't broke don't fix it" item?

For some reason I do not foresee any waranty on the install or parts, so I get to drop another $80 on a new bearing. But at least it pushes me to get that press I've had my eye on...

 
Rep Power: 192

Did you use Honda (NTN) bearings? Or aftermarket?

Even a cheap bearing should last a few years. So either you got a defective bearing or it was pressed in wrong, I've heard about people pressing them in backwards.

 
Rep Power: 366

^ these are the things that came to my mind too

 
Rep Power: 267

They were OEM bearings from the dealership. Of course there was a 1 year warranty on the bearings that expired 4 months ago, and there was no labor warranty since I supplied my own parts. So basically, I'll make sure the bearings were installed correctly before, and be sure to install them correctly this time.

 
Rep Power: 192

The rubber seal should be facing down when its pressed in. Usually there is a perfect circle of grime when you look at the old bearing in the hub, kinda looks like a rubber seal. I think this is why they sometimes get pressed in backwards. So when you pull the knuckle wipe off the grime to verify it was pressed in correctly.

If you pull the knuckle off and see the rubber seal facing up then chances are the other side was pressed in the same way.

 
Rep Power: 220

Make damn sure the alignment shop properly attached the wheel and torqued the lug nuts!!!
Jack up that corner, remove the wheel and make sure all four studs/nuts are in place.
Weird **** happens when others work on your ****.

 
Rep Power: 267

Thanks, I'll verify when I pull it all apart.

 
Rep Power: 267

I thought the same, but there was no wobble when driving. I haven't pulled the wheel off yet, but it is coming soon...

 
Rep Power: 192

When my bearing was bad the wheel was still tight, it was just humming badly.

Also fixed my crooked steering wheel that I had for a year+ so the bearing had gone bad some time before.

Also check your ball joints and tie rods, that would cause a wobbly wheel too.