My friend has a 2002 Toyota Rav, all wheel drive, manual transmission, with 140000 miles. She drives it in Western Canada. It has had the same wheel bearing replaced 3 times and it needs 'changing' again. She has been to a different garage each time including a Toyota dealer. What could possibly be the problem or might it be something else and they are changing the bearing as a temporary solution?
If cheap Chinese bearings are being installed that would be the expected outcome. Other than that if there's any shaking going on with that wheel it could be affecting the bearings but you'd feel that in the car.
Beside what @chucktobias mentioned, it worth checking the torque on the lugs nuts. Over-torque them could cause warping the rotors as well and it is not uncommon that shops use air gun to do the job.
Some things can put unusual strain on the bearings.
- Aftermarket wheels
- bad alignment
- worn suspension parts
- Rough roads
