Swivel hub rebuild kit - crazy pice variations on eBay - how to choose

Hi all !

I had to replace a front brake disc - so just as well do at least some seals and gaskets I thought. I bought the main oil seal (biggest one in the hub) and the axle seal (the one deepest in the hub) , but then found that a few of the minor seals are not really good ... I fitted the new disc and new jaw with all old seals and bearings for the time being I'm OK as it does not leak oil. All bearings seem OK.

Looking to buy a complete seal kit now , should have done that straight away ... but it was a good exercise to do it right when the moment comes doing the lot - coming from many years Land Rover still have to educate myself about my glorious Patrol Safari 1989 model.

Anyway:
Living remote I have to buy online so went on ebay etc.
Well that's a pricing jungle like no other:
A full kit including bearings from around $140 up to over $400 and any variation in between.
Questions:
1-- Does it make sense to replace all bearings even if they have no play ?
2-- How do I pick a reliable kit out of all those online sellers ?
3-- What is a kind of acceptable price for good quality ?

Thanks !!
special thanks to MudRunnerTD for his incredible detailed instructions of how to rebuild a swivel hub !
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...Rebuild-Thread

Depending on what brand the kits are. Go for Japanese made bearings, a bitta research/ google will be needed on your behalf for this, you will pay a higher premium, but you get what you pay for. I would just replace the lot, while its apart. Then you know its all done.
Some Brands that come to mind are, Timken, Koyo, NTN (I think) and NSK.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mudski

Depending on what brand the kits are. Go for Japanese made bearings, a bitta research/ google will be needed on your behalf for this, you will pay a higher premium, but you get what you pay for. I would just replace the lot, while its apart. Then you know its all done.
Some Brands that come to mind are, Timken, Koyo, NTN (I think) and NSK.

---

Totally agree Mark. Once you have that front swivel assy in bits the last thing you want to do is skimp on a secondhand bearing that craps out 10,000klm later and you have to tear it all down again. I think I used a Terrain tamer kit and it was complete and quality seemed fine. I think @MudRunnerTD has a recommendation in his swivel hub rebuild thread from memory. Biggest recommendation is find the thread and follow it, its totally complete as a process and bullet proof.

Cheers mate. Japanese bearings for the win. Once you have read a few ads you should be able to see the differences. Full rebuild. Terrain Tamer is great. Any dramas mate just post your question in my thread and I will help you where I can no probs.

Paper towel instead of rags is a winner.

I got a complete kit from online auto parts about 3 months ago for $167.00. NSK bearings and everything was there as advertised. Time will tell I guess. I have brought quite a bit of stuff from them and can't complain so far.