rear bearings

[Chicobiker]

I think I've read about rear bearings going before on this group.

I replaced both rear bearings on my 2003 OBS at about 90k kms. I'm at
146k now and I can hear the bearings again. Why only 55k this time?
The bearings were done by a 3rd party shop last time. Is there a
difference in parts? Any suggestions / comments? It cost me about
$700cdn last time.

Chicobiker

 

[AS]

Are u sure it is the bearings?

55k sounds as too low a mileage for them to fail.

Try swapping the front with the rear tires.

Good luck!

 

[S]

Hi Chico!

I think I've read about rear bearings going before on this group.

I replaced both rear bearings on my 2003 OBS at about 90k kms. I'm at
146k now and I can hear the bearings again. Why only 55k this time?
The bearings were done by a 3rd party shop last time. Is there a
difference in parts? Any suggestions / comments? It cost me about
$700cdn last time.

Chicobiker

It's real easy to damage the bearings during installation, especially
if you don't have all of the correct adapters for your press. (Same
thing applies for the fronts; _never_ pound on the axle shaft while
attempting to remove it ...)
This damage can be subtle (Microscopic dimples in the race and/or flat
spots on the balls which grow with time. Technical term is
"brinelling"; look it up.), and frequently doesn't make it's self
evident for 10-20K miles.
I promise you this is true; I speak from sad experience

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[Todd H.]

flat spots on the balls which grow with time.

At which time it's appropriate to leave the mechanic and see a
urologist.






Sorry... couldn't resist. Very informative post actually, S!

Best Regards,

 

[M.J.]

Are u sure it is the bearings?

55k sounds as too low a mileage for them to fail.

I had mine go at around 25k miles on an '00 Impreza.
Lots of high speed driving in hot weather, which I suspect
helped kill them.

M.J.

 

[AS]

LOL Todd.

When replacing the bearings, did they replace the bearging hub (as sold
by Subaru) or just the bearings?

 

[Chicobiker]

LOL Todd.

When replacing the bearings, did they replace the bearging hub (as sold
by Subaru) or just the bearings?

Not sure what you mean by the hub. Can't picture it. They usually
buy Subaru parts when working on my car.

Can you describe the difference?

 

[AS]

If they got the subaru part, the bearing comes with the hub, you remove
4 bolts, take the old bearing/hub assy and put the new assy in place.

Again, are u sure the problem is not the tires?

Good luck

 

[Rick Courtright]

I think I've read about rear bearings going before on this group.

Hi,

Yes, wheel bearings have been problematic and a subject of discussion in
the past...

I have an old Toyota truck (one of the models that just keeps going and
going) and I've often joked that in building that truck, Toyota scoured
the world for all the "best" design ideas in the automotive world, and
incorporated them. Subie followed behind and took the worst!

Ok, that might be a bit harsh, but they certainly screwed the pooch IMHO
on wheel bearings. Somewhere I read that ONE of the causes of early
failures had been pinpointed as faulty seals that allowed water into the
bearing. Then, in earlier discussions, it was revealed that Subaru was
claiming their bearings were "pre-lubed" from the factory and didn't
need additional grease prior to installation. I haven't a clue how many
bearings WERE installed that way, but after discussions about how little
actual grease there was in these bearings, I dismissed that idea as
bogus, especially after I'd bought a Subie bearing and it had little but
corrosion protective grease on it.

Combine a lack of adequate grease w/ a possible incursion of water
and/or dirt, and the bearing's doomed from the start. As for heat, IME a
properly lubed bearing SHOULD be able to go at least 60-100k miles
before needing attention (which SHOULD consist of cleaning and
regreasing, NOT replacement, again IMHO only.) 40 years of driving in
essentially desert conditions (heat-wise, not off road-wise) tell me a
properly lubed bearing shouldn't fail from any heat we normally
encounter. Again, "properly lubed" is an operative term...

Rick

 

[Porgy Tirebiter]

Hi,

Yes, wheel bearings have been problematic and a subject of discussion in
the past...

I have an old Toyota truck (one of the models that just keeps going and
going) and I've often joked that in building that truck, Toyota scoured
the world for all the "best" design ideas in the automotive world, and
incorporated them. Subie followed behind and took the worst!

Ok, that might be a bit harsh, but they certainly screwed the pooch IMHO
on wheel bearings. Somewhere I read that ONE of the causes of early
failures had been pinpointed as faulty seals that allowed water into the
bearing. Then, in earlier discussions, it was revealed that Subaru was
claiming their bearings were "pre-lubed" from the factory and didn't
need additional grease prior to installation. I haven't a clue how many
bearings WERE installed that way, but after discussions about how little
actual grease there was in these bearings, I dismissed that idea as
bogus, especially after I'd bought a Subie bearing and it had little but
corrosion protective grease on it.

Combine a lack of adequate grease w/ a possible incursion of water
and/or dirt, and the bearing's doomed from the start. As for heat, IME a
properly lubed bearing SHOULD be able to go at least 60-100k miles
before needing attention (which SHOULD consist of cleaning and
regreasing, NOT replacement, again IMHO only.) 40 years of driving in
essentially desert conditions (heat-wise, not off road-wise) tell me a
properly lubed bearing shouldn't fail from any heat we normally
encounter. Again, "properly lubed" is an operative term...

Rick

You are correct there Rick....
Subaru builds their cars with a $ sign in mind. CHEAP is where it's at. From
wheel bearings that crap out at 25,000 miles and less, to underpowered
alternators, to paper thin metal used in doors and hoods, to the cheapest
paint known in the automotive fields it's a wonder they can sell these
poorly designed cars.
Phase 1 engines replaced with phase 2 that STILL blow headgaskets! A/C units
that are "Wimpy" to say the least. Roof racks that leak water into the
headliners and tail light assemblies that fill with water due to
cheap/crappy gaskets.

The amazing part is people keep buying this shit!!
But you know...VW is worse....

 

[Bugalugs]

You are correct there Rick....
Subaru builds their cars with a $ sign in mind. CHEAP is where it's at. From
wheel bearings that crap out at 25,000 miles and less, to underpowered
alternators, to paper thin metal used in doors and hoods, to the cheapest
paint known in the automotive fields it's a wonder they can sell these
poorly designed cars.
Phase 1 engines replaced with phase 2 that STILL blow headgaskets! A/C units
that are "Wimpy" to say the least. Roof racks that leak water into the
headliners and tail light assemblies that fill with water due to
cheap/crappy gaskets.

The amazing part is people keep buying this shit!!
But you know...VW is worse....

Take out "Subaru" and put the name of ANY mass produced car today in
there and the same comments will apply.

 

[AS]

You guys forgot the wind noise, noisy lifters, piston slap, leaky
engine, louse fuel consumption, but in any case, I still think it is a
lot of car for the money, at least lbs per buck, lol

 

[Rick Courtright]

You guys forgot the wind noise, noisy lifters, piston slap, leaky
engine, louse fuel consumption, but in any case, I still think it is a
lot of car for the money, at least lbs per buck, lol

Hi,

For a minute there I thought you were talking about my neighbor's
Chevy... personally I can't think of ANY car built today that would meet
MY specs if I were able to design and build whatever I wanted. The
forces of economics have a way of doing that, as Bugalugs already
mentioned.

Rick