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The short version
- A 9-5 wheel bearing job means matching the era first. Press-in ball 510052 covers the front for 1999-2001, then bolt-on hub 513192 runs 2002 to 2009.
- Rear bearing is 512145 for the 1999 model year only, then 512232 from 2000 through 2009.
- Front and rear switch numbers one year apart, so match the exact model year before ordering.
- The 9-7X shares a name but not a platform. It has its own listing, 513188, and nothing crosses.
Saab built its last big sedan across two very different eras of wheel bearing design. The 9-5 straddles press-in and bolt-on hardware at both axles.
Front and rear numbers, before and after the switch
The front bearing moves from a press-in ball to a bolt-on hub in 2002.
The rear bearing changes number a year earlier, switching for the 2000 model year.
Saab 9-5 wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 2002-2009 | Front hub, bolt-on | 513192 check price |
| 1999-2001 | Front bearing, press-in ball | 510052 check price |
| 2000-2009 | Rear bearing | 512232 check price |
| 1999 only | Rear bearing, old platform number | 512145 check price |
Every model year this chart resolves: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Price links lead to Amazon searches for that number. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.
Lookups run through the cross reference page.
The Saab 9-7X shares a name with the 9-5 and nothing else.
It is a TrailBlazer-based SUV with its own listing, 513188, and nothing on this chart crosses to it.
A sedan that straddles two eras
Saab sold the 9-5 through a long run without a full platform change. The wheel bearings did not sit still, though. The front switched from press-in to bolt-on in 2002, and the rear switched a year earlier in 2000.
That one-year gap between the axles is the detail most likely to trip up an order. Watch it closely on a 9-5 wheel bearing job.
Family ties, and where they stop
The early press-in front ball, 510052, was shared with the classic 900 and the early 9-3. That link ends once the 9-5 moves to its bolt-on hub in 2002.
Beyond that year, the 9-5 stands on its own chart. The wider Saab lineup no longer shares its front bearing.
Diagnosing a 9-5 wheel bearing
- Confirm the model year first. A 9-5 wheel bearing order depends on whether the year falls before or after the 2002 front switch.
- Listen for load-sensitive noise. A hum that grows under turning load points to a bearing rather than a tire.
- Rock the wheel by hand. Play at nine and three o’clock signals wear. See how to check a wheel bearing for the method.
- Rule out road damage. A recent pothole hit can crack a seal well before mileage would explain the noise.
- Separate front from rear. Use the axle bearing versus wheel bearing distinction to confirm which end is actually failing.
Common questions
What is the front 9-5 wheel bearing part number?
510052 for 1999-2001, a press-in ball design. From 2002 through 2009, the front uses bolt-on hub 513192.
What is the rear 9-5 wheel bearing part number?
512145 for the 1999 model year only. From 2000 through 2009, the rear number is 512232.
Does a 9-7X wheel bearing fit the 9-5?
No. The 9-7X is a TrailBlazer-based SUV with its own listing, 513188, and nothing crosses between the two.
Is the early 9-5 wheel bearing press-in or bolt-on?
Press-in. The 1999-2001 front uses ball bearing 510052, the same design shared with the classic 900 and early 9-3.
Why do the 9-5 front and rear numbers change in different years?
The catalogs record the years without a reason. Match the exact model year for each axle rather than assuming both changed together.