I was under the impression that AC Delco front wheel bearings for 88 have long ago been discontinued. This listing claims to be AC Delco, and speficially for the 88 Fiero, though the part number is different from the original GM part number

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC...AOSwol5Y0q5~&vxp=mtr

Any thoughts on this? I know it was covered a year ago. If anyone has more recent info, it would be great. I plan to order a spare from Rodney most likely if these are not "really" AC Delco parts

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/097606.html

[This message has been edited by cam-a-lot (edited 04-06-2018).]

The different part number is because the part is from a low budget product line called "ACDelco Advantage" See the news clip below. I don't know if this is a new product, or the one that has been failing for the last few years.

This is the big dilemma for name-brand suppliers. They are more expensive, and they want more business....so they offer a cheaper line, but they can't resist using their brand-name to help sell the cheaper stuff... so they modify their brand name just a little, hoping it will help sell parts without tarnishing the original brand...which never works. Pretty soon we consumers will not associate ACDelco with anything other than the usual junk at the big box stores.

https://www.partsandpeople....ntage-chassis-lineup

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 04-06-2018).]

For what its worth, that vendor on ebay has 94,632 products listed for sale, has been a member since Aug 2017, and has a feedback score of 38, something doesn't add up.

I suspect he is just a drop shipper wanna be and probably copied a bunch of catalogs to list parts from and doesn't have any actual inventory.

As for the picture, the dust cover is recessed in the end, which is not the OEM style, so the picture is of some aftermarket version.

The 88 front hubs are all over Ebay. AFAIK all of them are Chinese no-name imports. As such the quality may be good or it may be bad. We've seen some Chinese rear hubs that last for just a year so its anyone guess as to the reliability.

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Thanks everyone. I will order one from Rodney. If I remember correctly, his bearings can be rebuilt with off the shelf parts if needed down the road..

And here is my dilemma; where does one get these front bearings now? I don't believe Rodney sells them anymore and I'm concerned I may be SOL trying to fix the wife's Formula with a really shaky bearing.

Rodney still has the rebuildable '88 hubs. The non-rebuildable version he had earlier was proven unreliable.

Buy from Rodney.

But if you want the AC Delco branded one - Rockauto sells them as well (and several other brands - seems they are all jumping on the band wagon).

You all are life-savers. THANK YOU (positive ratings sent).
By chance, might you know about how difficult it is to replace these? We talking a few hours or a weekend? LOL.
Thanks again.

quote Originally posted by vertigo1: You all are life-savers. THANK YOU (positive ratings sent). By chance, might you know about how difficult it is to replace these? We talking a few hours or a weekend? LOL. Thanks again.

Hard question to answer, since it depends on skill level, condition of the car (rust, etc) and availability of tools. To lots of members here, pulling an engine or changing a clutch is "easy". For others, changing brake pads or flushing coolant is difficult. So it is a hard question to answer.. Best to get a copy of the factory service manual and follow the instructions.

Rodney is a great resource, so if you buy his hubs, please follow his instructions carefully regarding torque and lubrication of the components

At one time Autozone listed a front wheel bearing for an 1988 but it was for 1987 and earlier, they did not know the difference.

quote Originally posted by vertigo1: By chance, might you know about how difficult it is to replace these? We talking a few hours or a weekend? LOL. Thanks again.

Couple hours, depends on rust. Douse the knuckle and bolts with penetrant, mine eventually wiggled out with a pry bar and BFH.
Later, when I had a bad pair from Rodney (old, non-rebuildable ones), each side was like 30 mins wheel-off -> wheel-on.

Thanks for the info everyone.
Skill level is; I removed the exhaust manifolds and the rest of the exhaust system, breaking off two bolts in the head, and used Rodney Dickman's jig to remove said bolts while the engine was still in the car. I have changed my own brake-pads before and flushed the brake fluid before though I have never replaced a clutch or flushed coolant on a Fiero (done both on a 1971 Opel GT though, LOL).
I do have the factory service manual and I'll be following Rodney's instructions to the letter.
Thanks all, looks like I'll be taking the plunge next month :-).

quote Originally posted by vertigo1: Skill level is; I removed the exhaust manifolds and the rest of the exhaust system, breaking off two bolts in the head, and used Rodney Dickman's jig to remove said bolts while the engine was still in the car.

Rear bank? Not bad. But if it was the front bank... two thumbs up!

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Rear bank? Not bad. But if it was the front bank... two thumbs up!

BOTH actually! :-D. Twas a nightmare - the rear was previously broken off by the former owner, the front was broken off by me. When I went to extract it, i broke off the EXTRACTOR inside the bolt! Took two days of chiseling with a Dremel but we did it! lol.

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