I had to have my two front wheel bearings replaced on my 07 Honda Fit Sport yesterday and I am in quite a bind. I took it to Firestone and they screwed it up. When I went to pick up my car the ABS light was on and as it turns out the mechanic installed the driver side wheel bearing in backwards setting off the ABS light. I live in Tennessee now and have to travel to San Diego for a military move on Tuesday. Unfortunately no one in the area has a replacement and Firestone said that they would fix it when I got to San Diego. Can anyone tell me if there is any concern for me to drive across the country with a wheel bearing in backwards? The only thing I can figure out is that the ABS will not work for the trip so I will basically just have power brakes. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Todd

 

I would have insisted the original Firestone place source a new bearing from a dealer so they could install it before you leave....


Failing that, they should call the Firestone dealer you plan to bring it to. Get names...

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I don't see any downside to driving the car like that as far as reliability. How many times have you invoked the ABS in the past six months? I bet it was pretty seldom aside from the 10MPH self-test.

 

Thanks for the information. I was insistent that they put in writing that they said my car was safe to drive and since they couldn't get the part in, even the dealer, prior to having to drive out to San Diego that they call a Firestone out in San Diego for them to fix it there. I was in the main office today when they spoke to the manager out in San Diego and they said they would fix the problem as soon as I showed up out there. Talk about ridiculous that this happens and the mechanic didn't even come out and apologize for their error. I was floored with the fact that the mechanic installed it improperly, noticed the ABS light and didn't even say anything about it. Absolutely disgusting customer service and that mechanic should be fired and have his ASA certification revoked. I could only imagine if this would have been breaks that were installed improperly.

 

^^ Well that's little harsh.


Chain tire centers like Firestone are "Jacks of all Trades, Masters of None"

They have a turnover of techs that have little or no experience with the foibles of certain makes, like the orientation of the bearings in Honda wheels. Not all manufacturers use the ball bearings to trigger the ABS sensors. Many use separate "tone wheels".

That's why I always recommend an "Independent Honda Specialist" for off-warranty repairs. If this were a BMW or Volvo forum, I would recommend a specialist of those makes.

 

i do my own wheel bearings myself. the first time i did it i put it in backwards and drove on it for like 4 months without correcting the issue. the only difference between one side to the next is a magnet in the bearing the bearing runs off a race that has ball bearings in the center of the bearing. it literally will have no effect on the performance or safety of your car other than the ABS issue. that being said the ABS is obviously a small concern but if you just drive cautiously you shouldn't need to worry about it. no big deal. have a safe trip to OCEANSIDE!

 

Hey sox, what's up man.

I think my left front bearing is shot. Do you have to mess with stuff like the control arm or the knuckle etc to replace the bearing or is it as simple as removing the brake caliper and rotor and just undoing the huge spindle nut?

 

You can try turning off the traction control and ignore the ABS light. As long as the computer doesn't shut down your drive i think you can make it. The new wheel bearing will be ruined and must install a new bearing with the magnetic side facing the correct way.

 

The old wheel bearing must be pressed out and a new wheel bearing with a new hub will have to be pressed in. Shop charges 60.00 to 70.00 bucks. Make sure you tell the shop to install the bearing ABS side correctly. Or ABS light will come on. You will also have to install new speed sensors. Wheel hub spindle hole for ABS sensor might need to be drilled out because of rust.