New Bearings Trigger ABS and ESC lights
06-21-2017, 06:09 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-23-2016
Location: Finger Lakes, New York
Posts: 29
New Bearings Trigger ABS and ESC lights
2009 HHR LS
62,000 miles
Replaced front hub and bearing assemblies.
Used Premium Choice parts purchased from Amazon.
Premium Choice Part No. HB613208PR Front Hub Bearing Assembly / Pair
Correct parts for 2009 LS.
Humming noise from worn bearings gone now, but it appears installing new bearings triggered the ABS and ESC warning lights to come on.
Bad parts?
Thanks,
Dave
Ithaca, NY
62,000 miles
Replaced front hub and bearing assemblies.
Used Premium Choice parts purchased from Amazon.
Premium Choice Part No. HB613208PR Front Hub Bearing Assembly / Pair
Correct parts for 2009 LS.
Humming noise from worn bearings gone now, but it appears installing new bearings triggered the ABS and ESC warning lights to come on.
Bad parts?
Thanks,
Dave
Ithaca, NY
06-21-2017, 08:15 AM
#4
Technical Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 24,696
I got a defective hub from Prime Choice once, they do easy returns.
However, do check the connectors and wires. Sometimes people leave the wire hanging instead of clipped up, then they rub on the turning wheel and get mangled.
However, do check the connectors and wires. Sometimes people leave the wire hanging instead of clipped up, then they rub on the turning wheel and get mangled.
06-23-2017, 10:13 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-23-2016
Location: Finger Lakes, New York
Posts: 29
This morning I replaced the faulty bearing with a Duralast bearing bought locally from AutoZone.
The ABS, Traction, and Brake warning lights all went out when we started the car.
The problem was definitely the Prime Choice bearing.
Prime Choice may offer exceptional bargain prices, but I would warn anyone buying bearings from them that they are taking a risk in order to save a little money.
The refund/replacement/warranty process is costly and time consuming.
In the end I spent quite a bit more time and money on this repair than expected as a result.
Buyers should be aware they face the prospect of added shipping costs, additional labor, and time wasted writing emails back and forth with Prime Choice if there is a problem. This makes Prime Choice a risky idea for anyone looking to do what they hoped would be a quick and inexpensive repair.
If someone needs speedy and reliable service I recommend they spend a little bit more money and look somewhere else besides Prime Choice.
But my HHR is rolling right again. That's the main thing.
Dave
The ABS, Traction, and Brake warning lights all went out when we started the car.
The problem was definitely the Prime Choice bearing.
Prime Choice may offer exceptional bargain prices, but I would warn anyone buying bearings from them that they are taking a risk in order to save a little money.
The refund/replacement/warranty process is costly and time consuming.
In the end I spent quite a bit more time and money on this repair than expected as a result.
Buyers should be aware they face the prospect of added shipping costs, additional labor, and time wasted writing emails back and forth with Prime Choice if there is a problem. This makes Prime Choice a risky idea for anyone looking to do what they hoped would be a quick and inexpensive repair.
If someone needs speedy and reliable service I recommend they spend a little bit more money and look somewhere else besides Prime Choice.
But my HHR is rolling right again. That's the main thing.
Dave
Last edited by HHR09Horace; 06-23-2017 at 11:50 PM.
06-23-2017, 01:11 PM
#6
Administrator
Join Date: 10-13-2011
Location: Welland,Ont Canada
Posts: 36,514
But I've gotten a bum hub from two different sources, and I let them rectify the problem.
One was from AutoZone a DuraLast the other was PepBoys, both were quick and understanding in resolving the issue quickly.
One was from AutoZone a DuraLast the other was PepBoys, both were quick and understanding in resolving the issue quickly.
06-23-2017, 03:02 PM
#7
Technical Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 24,696
"The refund/replacement/warranty process is costly and time consuming."
Not my experience they even sent the replacement before I sent the prepaid part back. It was done in 3 days.
I have gotten defective hubs from 2 other sources myself.
Not my experience they even sent the replacement before I sent the prepaid part back. It was done in 3 days.
I have gotten defective hubs from 2 other sources myself.
06-23-2017, 06:00 PM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-23-2016
Location: Finger Lakes, New York
Posts: 29
And really if you can afford the labor cost of installing the parts and then uninstalling the parts and then re-installing them, and you don't mind the down time waiting for shipping the same parts three times, I suppose it's okay.
Buying the parts locally for just $65 more seems more cost effective. If you do get a lemon you can bring the part right back.
Cheap online/mail order parts is a tough business I think.
The bearing itself was fine I think. The ten-cent pigtail was the problem.
It's my primary car, so I would prefer not losing the use of it for any longer than a typical bearing install requires.
And I shouldn't need any more than my good word and a valid receipt.
Your experience may vary.
06-23-2017, 07:54 PM
#9
Technical Moderator
Join Date: 01-23-2009
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 24,696
Taking a picture and then driving with the idiot light is onerous?
Your reason are not as obvious as you may think. In fact that seems cheaper than return postage.
Was it both of them? How did you determine which one?
I had one that had 1/2 inch of end play out of the box from another vendor.
Your reason are not as obvious as you may think. In fact that seems cheaper than return postage.
Was it both of them? How did you determine which one?
I had one that had 1/2 inch of end play out of the box from another vendor.
06-23-2017, 08:49 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 03-23-2016
Location: Finger Lakes, New York
Posts: 29
Thanks for your interest and your reply.
It was not as simple as that.
The diagnostic computer specified the right wheel speed sensor.
Nevertheless I was asked to take a picture of the part *off* of the car.
Like I said, if downtime is not important, and you are doing it yourself, or if you have a free mechanic available, well ya, it's no biggie.
Because it works out this way in my case with my mechanic charging me $90/hr minimum: install the new hubs $90; then uninstall the defective one for the photo and then reinstall it $90; wait another day or weekend for the replacement; then uninstall it again and reinstall the hopefully okay replacement for a third $90.
My mechanic had no reason to guarantee the part or give his time for free. I brought him the part.
But if all had gone well I would have gotten two new hubs for $60 installed for $90. That would have made me very happy.
Getting an overnight, hassle-free exchange would have made me happy.
Extra labor, extra shipping, extra time in the shop... Not so much.
So purchasing deeply discounted parts this way is a small gamble that may mean extra costs and sacrificing significant convenience; and as such may not be for everyone. That's all I'm saying.
Prime Choice would not give me an easy exchange so Amazon refunded me the full amount no questions asked.
Smarter to buy locally for a little bit more in my case and get a quick exchange if need be.
Or step up your quality control so odds of this happening are slim to none.
It was not as simple as that.
The diagnostic computer specified the right wheel speed sensor.
Nevertheless I was asked to take a picture of the part *off* of the car.
Like I said, if downtime is not important, and you are doing it yourself, or if you have a free mechanic available, well ya, it's no biggie.
Because it works out this way in my case with my mechanic charging me $90/hr minimum: install the new hubs $90; then uninstall the defective one for the photo and then reinstall it $90; wait another day or weekend for the replacement; then uninstall it again and reinstall the hopefully okay replacement for a third $90.
My mechanic had no reason to guarantee the part or give his time for free. I brought him the part.
But if all had gone well I would have gotten two new hubs for $60 installed for $90. That would have made me very happy.
Getting an overnight, hassle-free exchange would have made me happy.
Extra labor, extra shipping, extra time in the shop... Not so much.
So purchasing deeply discounted parts this way is a small gamble that may mean extra costs and sacrificing significant convenience; and as such may not be for everyone. That's all I'm saying.
Prime Choice would not give me an easy exchange so Amazon refunded me the full amount no questions asked.
Smarter to buy locally for a little bit more in my case and get a quick exchange if need be.
Or step up your quality control so odds of this happening are slim to none.