Lowering vs. Wheel Bearings....

i30dvr · 03-12-2009, 10:17 AM

Alright guys i've had my i30t for about 5 years now and since i've lowered it on ksports, (about 2 years ago) i've replaced 4 wheel bearings. I feel like this is excessive and was wondering if anyone else has a problem with there wheels bearings wearing out. I've raised it up another 1/2-3/4 inch in the front yesterday when i replaced the bearing and hub itself. I now have about a 2-2 1/2 finger gap which to me isn't that low.....let me know what you guys think, thanks

*321VQ35MAX* · 03-12-2009, 01:18 PM

My 98 Maxima was lowered with Eibach springs for 5 years and never replaced a wheel bearing. That is odd, I just don't know if it could be related. IMO.

*oldngivout* · 03-13-2009, 12:28 PM

I don't have any experience with this issue, but here's what I think.

Simply lowering a car does nothing substantial to put additional stress on the wheel bearings. The relationship between the components remains the same. The weight, relative position of the axle through the bearing assembly and most importantly the wheel offset, do not change.
However the size of a new wheel/tire combination, along with a presumably more aggressive driving style are perhaps more to blame. Just my two cents.

MROTH · 03-13-2009, 01:42 PM

that's odd... i replaced my wheel bearings at about 170k but since then no problems..

are you getting OEM parts or aftermarket?

MorpheusZero · 03-13-2009, 04:14 PM

Lowering the car will have no adverse effect on the wheel bearings.

Running crazy low-offset wheels or running lots of camber, on the other hand, will. But it won't be all that noticeable.

The only thing that lowering your car will wear out is your axles and your undercarriage.