Rear wheel bearings job...
 

I'm not totally sure yet if my rear wheel bearings are starting to go, but I don't want to go near my local dealer, so I'm going to leave my car with my local (very honest) mechanic...

A few questions: Is there a test (visual or otherwise) to see if the bearings are going. Right now the car rolls noisier than I recall, and while I hoped it was the tires, or my own bad memory, folks here have said it's probably the bearings...

Assuming it is the bearings, how difficult are they for a mechanic to change, is there any special equipment he might need (and would be unlikely to already have)? And, is there any unusual procedure he should follow, or thing he should be sure not to break while doing the change? My car is a '92LS-L AWD.

Lastly, does anyone have the updated part numbers for the bearings to be used?

THANKS!

replacing rear wheel bearings is a normal cost of ownership. here are the parts:

28016PA010 roller bearing
28015AA070 oil seal
28015AA021 oil seal
28044AA000 axle nut

these parts cost a little over $100 and the dealer has usually charged four hours labor.

the last time i got mine done at a private shop and they removed the housing, then the hub using a hub stand in a vise. they suggested that some dealers might be trying to do the job with the hub still on the car using a BFH (in the vernacular), which is not the way to ensure a long-term repair.

AllData has a good write up on this if your mechanic has a subscription to it.

HTH
:)

How are your tires wearing?

Tire noise changes with different road surfaces.

Bearing noise changes with side to side forces (weaving).

I also think that if a bearing is really bad the tire/rim may not sit solid and may make noise if you grab it and start rocking it.