Front wheel bearing cost, have i been ripped off?!

[DOWIE]

Hi all, apolgies, Im not on here much, just dont have the time.

Got the Leon serviced yesterday, its an 06 Stylance DSG 2.0 tdi

The basic service parts Im not fussed about their cost, but I needed a front wheel bearing, and the part ws £145 ! Now im used to £20 wheel bearing kits on fiestas, corsas etc from the yunger days, but that seems unreal

It isnt even a genuine SEAT part either

Unfortunately, the car is no longer under warranty, unless im mistaken and I have a 3 years warranty, and not 2?

Please rest my mond, or tell me otherwise so I can have a go at the mech.


Cheers

DOWIE

[DaveysFR]

Unless you car is a European Import then it should come with a full 3 year manufacturers warranty starting on the date of first registration (imports are only covered by 2 years warranty). Wheel bearings are not usually covered under warranty though as they are classed as a Wear and Tear part such as brake pads/discs etc, although, if your car has only done VERY low miles, the dealer may be willing to replace it under warranty or help you pay for a percentage of the repairs.

Hope this helps

I agree £145 seems realy steep, my old focus bearings were £25 each including the vat

[phil3012]

I thought the Leon was 2 years manufacturer and 1 years dealer warrenty.

It would be worth giving SEAT customer services a call to see if the car it still covered and by who.

[ghosty]

it seems alot to me for a wheel bearing kit. try giving gsf (http://www.gsfcarparts.com/) or eurocarparts (http://www.eurocarparts.com/) a call for a decent price.

i got a rear wheel bearing for my audi a4 about 6 months ago and it was 60 something quid (from gsf)

cheers,
g

[DaveysFR]

phil3012,

You are correct mate, 2 years manufacturers and 1years dealer warranty, my mistake.

DOWIE,

It would be worth ringing SEAT Customer Services as phil3012 has said mate.

[Foo56]

I got quote not long ago from Leicester's Seat and it was exactly the same price as I remember.

[UncleFester]

I believe because the dealer supplies it as one piece with the hub when you can get just the bearings and have them pressed in.

[SEATgod]

It's because the ABS rotor is in the wheel bearing!

[DOWIE]

It was def the hub part also that was replaced. I wish Id checked with SEAT forst as I stupidly assumed it was a 2 year warranty, which has run out!

Happy days

Thanks for the replies

DOWIE

[andycupra]

Originally Posted by UncleFester

I believe because the dealer supplies it as one piece with the hub when you can get just the bearings and have them pressed in.

this is what i was thinking.

Charging loads of the part is easier for them. They would probably argue that you save on labour as they dont spend time pressing out the bearing, and then they may say this may not work. (or theydont have the equipment)

IMO its less hassle for them, but potentially more costly for you to get a new hub etc.

IMO Never get a dealer to do jobs like this. Labour if often twice that of decent garages and they appear to be unable to use common sense or initiative and work to the 'book' all the time.

[SEATgod]

Hello,

You can't get the bearing seperate!

It comes as part of the flange which is then pressed into the hub carrier.

It is because the wheel bearing carries the ABS rotor!

KR

[andycupra]

Originally Posted by SEATgod

Hello,

You can't get the bearing seperate!

It comes as part of the flange which is then pressed into the hub carrier.

It is because the wheel bearing carries the ABS rotor!

KR

well if this is the case then its a poor design that a part like a wheel bearing potentially incurs such a cost.

[DOWIE]

Tellin me, i was expecting a normal service bill, then had £200 on top!

[SEATgod]

Hardly poor design.........just advancements in technology!

Years ago a set of plugs, points and a condenser cost amount 3 bob and a shilling!

Now a set of plugs will set you back £80 for 4.

Technology costs money!

I would not want any vehicle now out of warranty...costs are just to high for repair!

[andycupra]

Originally Posted by SEATgod

Hardly poor design.........just advancements in technology!

Years ago a set of plugs, points and a condenser cost amount 3 bob and a shilling!

Now a set of plugs will set you back £80 for 4.

Technology costs money!

I would not want any vehicle now out of warranty...costs are just to high for repair!

not if you are comparing like for like. The plugs you refer to as being £80 are platinum and so a much higher quality product.
You can get plugs that are much the same for £12 or even cheaper.

Advancements in technology are good. But there is no reason why a part that is often requiring servicing or replacement cannot be designed to be replaced.
An example would be wishbone bushes, some places will replace to bush, but a dealer will often look to replace the wishbone as its 'easier'.

[SEATgod]

Its not some much easier as cheaper....look the repair times up and the hydraulic press you need for fitting the bushes!

R & R wishbone on a Leon, against R & R a wishbone and then strip out and replace the two bushes!

It's actually cheaper for you! Mor efficient for the Dealer!

[UncleFester]

Then we come to the iffy topic of cars that have headlight bulbs that are innacessible to all but the smallest of 18 year old trainee double jointed fingers.

Now to be fair, SEAT aren't the worst culprit for this, Rover and Jaguar are right up there at the top .... but it illustrates the point being made.

Actually it's cheaper to buy the part and take it to a 'normal' garage who can fit the part without invalidating the warranty than it is to pay dealer price for the part and then dealer price for the labour.

[andycupra]

Originally Posted by SEATgod

Its not some much easier as cheaper....look the repair times up and the hydraulic press you need for fitting the bushes!

R & R wishbone on a Leon, against R & R a wishbone and then strip out and replace the two bushes!

It's actually cheaper for you! Mor efficient for the Dealer!

i agree, - dependant on the labour rate....