Front wheel bearings are a fraction of the size or rear wheel bearings.
They are also probably subject to more stress. On most cars I have ever
owned, front wheel bearings seem to be a 70,000 mile item at best. I have
never replaced Vanagon rear wheel bearings and have 386,000 on my diesel
Westy. On most cars, you would have to drive one a long time to see a real
wheel bearing problem.

Jim

On Wed, Apr 12, 2017 at 12:03 PM bernie <1234bjs@gmail.com> wrote:

> I have no mechanical knowledge.
> I did replace my front wheel bearings about 4 years ago.
> My understanding is that the rear last longer and I have told by several
> mechanics that you don't open the rear wheel bearings up until they go. I
> have some rear German made wheel bearings ready for use but no need for
> them yet. I am not having them installed until the rear wheel bearings go.
>
> Bernie
> Vancouver
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 12, 2017 at 9:54 AM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > hi all,
> >
> > is it correct to assume or is there a reason to think that the Front
> > wheel bearings and Rear wheel bearings wear at the same rate? meaning
> that
> > do we have to replace front and rear at the same time?
> >
> > the mechanic replaced the front bearings ('89 tintop Syncro) not long ago
> > and he said that the rear wheel bearings are fine so he left them
> alone...
> > should I have the rear replaced too (cost to replace the rear is higher
> > than the front)
> >
> > thanks a lot
> >
> > dan
> >
>