Need opinions from engineers, ASE certified mechanics, etc.

[Fbomb]

Ok guys so there may be some problems in store for me due to people laying blame for problems with nobody at fault. Car in question is a 2007 Chevy Aveo with snow tires.
Long story short is that the front hub bearings went out on my GF's car; this past winter we pulled the handbrake and drifted it once or twice in a snowy/icy parking lot. No curbs were hit. The dealership mechanics told her that pulling the handbrake and drifting the car--even in a snowy parking lot--could cause premature failure of the wheel bearings. Now her mom is pissed. So much so that she's thinking about suing me over it.

For peace of mind, I would like confirmation of my opinion that this scenario is near impossible. We have a failure of BOTH left and right front wheel bearings at 40k miles, handbrake applies brakes to the rear wheels and car is front wheel drive.

Urka Chevrolet in Ludington MI would be the dealership. Honestly I think these guys don't know what they're doing. The brake pedal in this car goes all the way to the floor and they say that it's perfectly fine.

[JoeliusZ28]

Sounds like you and your girlfriend are the only rational human beings in this situation. Handbrake has NOTHING to do with front wheel bearings.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

I think you need a different GF. You're going to have a major ***** for a mother-in-law if you stick around

If she got the car brand new, take it to a different dealership. Yate's and Meyer's are just down the road. (If you're on the tail end of the warranty)

By the way, Timken SET35 bearings are about $45 each. I've seen them burn up at 20k, I've seen them last 120k+ A couple hours is all it takes to change them.

[Fbomb]

Work has already been done. $400 out the door. I'm seeing this as advice to stay away from Urka...

Car was bought new in 07 and has 40k on it (I think...) so I don't know why it wasn't covered under warranty.

Definitely could've done it in my own shop as we just acquired a press too. -__-

[birdie2000]

I had a front wheel bearing go out in my 08 Impala with 30k on the clock, and I can assure you it was never drifted because there is no handbrake . This shit happens. Mine was covered under warranty, yours should have been too as long as it's within the time/mileage requirements.

Out of curiosity, how did they find out you handbraked it and make the connection?

[Fbomb]

I had a front wheel bearing go out in my 08 Impala with 30k on the clock, and I can assure you it was never drifted because there is no handbrake . This shit happens. Mine was covered under warranty, yours should have been too as long as it's within the time/mileage requirements.

Out of curiosity, how did they find out you handbraked it and make the connection?

They asked if it could cause it. Honestly, the car was ROARING well before winter came. The car was already on snow tires at the time so I thought that they may have been loud, but I had suspected wheel bearings or misalignment. I mean it was so loud that it sounded like a willys jeep tire. Tires weren't that aggressive either...Michelin X-ice I think.

I would expect $400 if they were hub assemblies, but not for a pressed-in bearing.

[WMCC Gary]

....Car was bought new in 07 and has 40k on it (I think...) so I don't know why it wasn't covered under warranty....

2007 Aveos had 3yr/36k mile Bumper to Bumper & 5yr/100k Powertrain. So all warranty would have ended in 2012. Should have had it fixed last fall it may have still been under warranty

[hoogiesngrinderz]

OEM bearings (AC Delco I think) are over $100 each, the price for the job isn't out of line (especially if they put new hubs in)

[Fbomb]

OEM bearings (AC Delco I think) are over $100 each, the price for the job isn't out of line (especially if they put new hubs in)

Ouch. Looking at the design it seems like it's just a bearing that gets pressed into the steering knuckle. Makes sense if they didn't want to press bearings and just decide to replace the whole unit though.

As for the brakes, I'm thinking the lines need to be bled or the rear drums need to be adjusted (have read about adjusters sticking). Not sure if I'll be handling that one or not.

But back to the original question, does ANYBODY think that the handbrake could be related to a wheel bearing failure? I honestly couldn't see it happening unless you slam into a curb. In which case the steering knuckle would probably break first.

[1bad83ta]

Like Joel said, the hand brake would have NO effect on the front wheel bearings. It simply does not do anything up there. <---mechanical engineer.

[birdie2000]

I would guess that they're inferring that the sideways drifting caused by using the handbrake was what caused it, not the handbrake itself. Since the tire/wheel is moving sideways instead of the direction it was designed to, it could have put a load on the bearing in a direction that it wasn't designed to handle and caused some play in the assembly, especially if you all of a sudden hit dry cement.

I think that is EXTREMELY unlikely though and they're just grasping at straws. It does sound like it was out of warranty though, so not entirely surprised that they charged you for it.

Next time, don't tell anyone that you drifted it.

[WMCCjames]

Our GP lost the front wheel bearings at 60K. Not uncommon. Tell your GF's mother to go pound sand.

[Fbomb]

especially if you all of a sudden hit dry cement.

I think that is EXTREMELY unlikely though and they're just grasping at straws. It does sound like it was out of warranty though, so not entirely surprised that they charged you for it.

Next time, don't tell anyone that you drifted it.

It was in a snowy/icy parking lot so it definitely didn't get immediate lateral traction. I wasn't there to advise so I couldn't have anyone avoid saying something. The truth behind it is that her mom definitely does not like me for plenty of other reasons, and those of you that know me know that I'm a pretty reasonable guy. The rest of the situation is a complete mess at the moment but will be a hell of a story to tell later on.

Thanks for the opinions.

[1BADAIR]

Bad front bearings can and will cause a low pedal. The bad bearing allows the rotor to tilt/ move around which will push the pistons back.
can drifting cause bad bearings? I have witnessed knuckle and bearing problems from skid pad cars. The sliding can set off a frequency/harmonic and cause damage. we saw it more than once on the pad but had no issues during 100k durability

[JoeliusZ28]

I would guess that they're inferring that the sideways drifting caused by using the handbrake was what caused it, not the handbrake itself. Since the tire/wheel is moving sideways instead of the direction it was designed to, it could have put a load on the bearing in a direction that it wasn't designed to handle and caused some play in the assembly, especially if you all of a sudden hit dry cement.

I think that is EXTREMELY unlikely though and they're just grasping at straws. It dJoes sound like it was out of warranty though, so not entirely surprised that they charged you for it.

Next time, don't tell anyone that you drifted it.

But that would require a 4-wheel drift maneuver which is possible but probably not what Vinnie was doing.