I too have experienced considerable wheel bearing failures, mostly the front, over the years, especially on a car that I didn't drive that much and often put away right after I washed it. Investigation disclosed that water was remaining in the space behind the plastic wheel cap and getting into the bearings. I experimented with various fixes until I discovered a similar wheel setup on another car (I don't remember the type) where the wheels had groves cut into the backing for just that purpose - to let water out. It is a permanent fix. Keeping the water out has led to no bearing failures in a long time now. Harold McElraft - 3354