9th Gen Civic Forum banner

Front wheel bearings and brake question

7.7K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  2013ACURAILX  
#1 ·
Evening everyone,

Well it's come time to do the front bearings on the ol' SI. I really only need to do the passenger front, but I have the feeling of if you do one, you do all. I was looking for recommendations as to which to look for. It's not a strip car and is really just my daily driver from base to home on most weekends. I'm probably the 3rd owner of the car, so I have no real idea on when or if they have been replaced. Without ripping it apart, how do I know which ones I need? I saw some with the mag pick up and some without. So how do I know what to get and not waste a bunch of time and money.

Brakes question.
The fronts on this thing seems to be wearing oddly. My passenger side rotor has some weird groove dug in about 1/4 inch down into where the pad is riding. The driver's side seems to have a wave look to it, and until now I didn't have much reason to have concern. I am looking to replace both the rotor and pad. But again, the preverbal question is what would work the best. So many name brands being shot out all over. And then pad choices are just the same in the composition. So since I'm not going to be breaking the sound barrier an option for me would be the plain rotors and Hybrid or ceramic pad. Would this be a decent choice? It's not the first time I've done brakes on anything, just my last vehicle was an SUV and went with the middle of the road option from the parts counter.

I have a 2012 4 dr SI and just about to close in on 278,000 kms. So advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a bunch
 
#4 ·
I don't see skf listed for our cars but rockauto does have timken which is another good option.

OP, as mentioned above the fronts are pressed in so you will need a press or shop willing to swap them out for you. Easiest is to remove the knuckle and swap the bearings.

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk
 
#6 ·
Word of warning: Be careful with part numbers on our generation of Civic. Especially regarding brake, driveline, and suspension parts. I've noticed a lot of parts labelled as "fitting" our Si are actually for the regular Civics or for 8th gen's. Make sure to cross-reference with multiple sites before pulling the trigger.

As an example: I recently changed the wheel bearings when I swapped to ARP wheel studs and the first NSK set I received from Rockauto was the wrong part (It had no magnets for the wheel speed sensors). Let me tell you finding that out AFTER you've installed them is no bueno. I ended up just going with the OEM NSK's after that. They of course worked as you'd expect.

12FG4Rallye's suggestions for rotors and pads is good. I've run the Akebono pads numerous times and never had an issue.
 
#7 ·
I would stay with the oem parts, especially with a Si. There are a lot of aftermarket parts some good and a lot not so good. You never know what part of the world an aftermarket company is getting their raw materials from. In Japan they import and buy American steel. Why, because it is the best steel in the world, they use good materials to make their cars last longer.
 
#8 ·
Timken wheel bearings are top of the line wheel bearings and definitely exceed OEM. If you want longevity and reliability, you can’t go wrong with Timken. You do not need to replace wheel bearings at the same time but it is a good practice. Wheel alignment should be performed after front wheel bearing replacement. Steering angle neutral position relearn procedure should also be performed after the front bearing replacements and wheel alignment.
 
#9 ·
Timken wheel bearings are top of the line wheel bearings
I have had bad experience with Timken lately, and am reconsidering my brand loyalty to them.
I would go SKF over Timken IMHO

Also, Timken warranty is only 1 year, Mevotech BXT is 5 year, and very competitively priced on rockauto.com

rockauto also honours and handles the warranty claims and returns very efficiently, whether you go with Timken or any other wheel bearings from them.