Front Wheel Bearing Part Number

[AndyZ]

Hi,

I'm looking to order a RH front wheel bearing for a UK LS430 2004 from Amayama.

Looking at various EPC catalogues (7ZAP, LEXUS-EUROPE, PARTSOUQ & AMAYAMA). There are upto three numbers which come up (or two if I enter the VIN). I think I know which number I would go for but for one thing which is puzzling me (which I'll reveal later).

I'd be very interested to know which number you would select.

Regards
Andy

[ColinBarber]

Not really a bearing, more of a complete hub.

43550-50031

[BigBoomer]

Either of those circled below will do.
The (SUBS) means Substitute so chances are the 50031 may no longer be available.

For those interested this is the site I use to find my part numbers.
https://lexus-europe.epc-data.com/ls430/ucf30r/

[AndyZ]

Thanks for the responses and apologies for not responding sooner.

My VIN calls up 43550-50031 & 43550-50011 but what is the significance of "EUR HONG KONG OR SINGAPORE OR TAIWAN SPEC" alongside the 50011 part?

I had both front bearings replaced by Lexus a couple of years back and they fitted 43550-50032. (I think somebody may be thinking why I'm looking to replace a front bearing again.)

Andy

[ambermarine]

The different regions are for the countries and continents the car was originally sold in. Various factors determined this such as climate, road surfaces and local environmental regulations, one example being California as it as the highest criteria for cleaning engine exhaust gasses in the world.

[ColinBarber]

In this instance I'm not sure EUR is meaning a European destination part as it isn't in the description on Toyodiy and it isn't in the same format, it would state EUR OR HONG KONG........

[AndyZ]

28 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

In this instance I'm not sure EUR is meaning a European destination part as it isn't in the description on Toyodiy and it isn't in the same format, it would state EUR OR HONG KONG........

Yes, that's how I read it initially (EUR or HONG KONG...). Which raises the question, what does it mean here?

[BigBoomer]

If you lookup 50011, 50031 and 50032 on aftermarket sites, they all show the exact same aftermarket parts.
I suspect that the changes in the Toyota/Lexus part numbers are minor changes and could simply be due to different suppliers to Toyota, since it is pretty certain that Toyota do not make their own wheel bearings, suspension struts, or a great many other parts. The change could also mean that there was a design change due to known failures in earlier parts.

As for the EUR, not a clue. It could mean EURope or Engineering Unit Redesign or English Understanding Random 🤣
It seems to be part of the model definition as it is always UCF30_EUR followed by the HONG KONG,...... so my guess would be UCF30_EUR means European model but that also includes those other locations.

[steve2006]

OK I’ll ask….why are you replacing the front wheel bearing again when you had the complete hubs replaced 2 years ago?

[AndyZ]

I've looked back over my records and it's actually four and half years but only 24k miles, so still premature, however, I'll try to keep this as short as I can but I need to add some context so apologies and here goes...

 

When I bought this car in 2017, it wasn't as smooth as I was expecting but it had a very good MOT & service history. It didn't feel smooth at any speed and less so at higher speeds. I took the car to my usual mechanic and asked him to check the wheel bearings & he found nothing wrong. Over a 2 year period (along with MOTs and servicing) I had the following done, only one thing was done without sufficient reason:-

Wheel Alignment - Was pulling to left before & after the alignment and they couldn't/didn't align the rear but no smoother. (Didn't go there again.)

New Tyres - Worn tyres but no change to the ride.

alloys Refurbished - Tyre fitters mentioned rims were a bit grubby and I may get air leaks but they held their pressure very well.

New Lower Control Arm Bushes - Progress. Did this after reading this site. This removed a vibration at motorway speeds but all speeds were still not smooth.

Engine & Transmission Mounts - I admit this was the only thing I did for which I convinced myself out of desperation. No change.

Rear Discs - Wear and tear.

 

After two years, my not very smooth ride was now starting to get worse & noisier. I took the car to Lexus who diagnosed a worn NSF wheel bearing. I was gobsmacked when I picked up the car because I now had the smooth ride I was expecting. Soon after, I also had the OSF wheel bearing changed.

 

About a month after having the OSF wheel bearing changed, I hit a massive pot-hole on the off side. One tyre was damaged but I thought all was OK. However, very soon I felt the smooth ride had deteriorated. (Paranoia?)

The necessary new tyres following the pot-hole damage (and they were close to worn), and a few months later, having the wheels road force balanced, didn't change things. I felt like I was back to square one.

 

The following was done with no change to the ride:-

New NSF Track Rod End - MOT failure

Wheel Alignment - Front & back now fully aligned including the ride height.

That's an equally long story and a relatively cheap fix (but not if Lexus had had their way), if anybody is interested.

New Tyres (2 years later) - Wear & tear.

 

Over the last year or so, I was now getting a speed related whining sound from the NSR corner. It didn't get picked up in two MOTs or servicing. I kept meaning to take it in but I wasn't travelling as much & I kept putting it off.

 

Anyway, I eventually took it to my usual mechanic and said I think I had two problems; a not very smooth ride at the front and a whining sound from the back. He diagnosed a clearly worn NSR wheel bearing and said the OSR was just starting to go. He suggested we change these first and see where we stand with the ride. Noise has gone but I'm still left with the not so smooth ride. So I've been back to my mechanic and he's compared wheel bearing noise with a stethoscope and says the OSF is noisier than the NSF so hence the reason the change this wheel bearing.