Front wheel bearings and CV joints maintenance.

[losh1971]

Protex are not known for high quality parts. They have flooded the market though with a cheap alternative to most things brakes and steering plus a few other lines.

 

[Immortality]

OEM was designed to last a minimum 3/5 years and 100,000km where as most after market only give warranties for 12/24months and 20,000km.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Been looking at Ebay advertised stuff ............ not as expensive or rare as I thought they may be. But quality ?
Going to have to do some internetting, and asking at what remains of the local Holden servicing centre..

VZ front AWD bearings and hubs .......... same as RWD ?
Surely not. Has to be a catch somewhere in the parts catalogues. Too simple.

Front hubs are completely different.
It’s a two piece part. Lower ball joint is pressed into the assembly. The hub bearing housing is bolted to the assembly with three bolts.

They differ in that the front CV axle goes through the centre of them.

I’ll go get a photo…

 

[greenacc]

I was having a discussion with a place in Town who balance and repair shafts. They said to me nothing is as good as OEM. They sell better quality than Protex yet he said the gear they sell is not as good as factory.

Yep, not saying you're wrong.
Just saying if you buy a shaft from say burson or super cheep or Autobahn or spares box or most other online options it doesn't matter what brand is on the box. I am reasonably sure the product that comes in the box is the same product. Genuine is a different animal for sure. I wonder what they charge for a complete shaft compared to the 200 bux i spent.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Three bolts here

Axle bolted through the front centre

 

[figjam]

Front hubs are completely different.

That is what I thought.
The parts catalogue PDF (Ebay greatdeal auto) that I looked at indicated that the part shown fitted all sorts of VY / VZ era Commodores, including AWD.

 

[lowandslow]

If theres no noise or play in the bearings - play on.
If the CV boots aren't torn or making noises - play on.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Here's the front AWD hubs etc.

 

[figjam]

Sir Fu ......... you deserve a 'Professorship in Car Research' for your invaluable informative input.