Quick question on front wheel bearing removal
 

It's been a very long time since I've done a front wheel bearing on a subaru so my memory is a tad rusty. My search didn't answer this particular question which is, do I push the bearing race inboard or outboard? I'm using a hub tamer tool and want to make sure that I know which way the bearing race has to come out! The snap ring on the inside (toward the engine) has been removed so I'm thinking the bearing race goes toward the inside. But for some reason, this feels wrong. Various YouTube vids show the race being pushed out toward the inside so my guess is that the SVX follows suit.

Anyway, thanks for any assistance.

Re: Quick question on front wheel bearing removal
 

The svx manuals don't discuss removal/install procedures for front wheel bearings...only rears. Could it be that the front wheel bearings are removed same as the rears?

Re: Quick question on front wheel bearing removal
 

It's going to go in the direction that the small ring is holding it in place.

Re: Quick question on front wheel bearing removal
 

Ok, I figured it out. The bearing race goes INWARD (toward the engine) for extraction. It's a little troubling that the SVX manual doesn't explain this process but oh well.

According to the Timken site, it appears as though there are only TWO seals for all four wheels. Even though NAPA and the usual places list four different part numbers for seals. Weird.

The pics are showing you the tool used to push the bearing inward using a Hubtamer tool kit.

quick update
 

well, the rear seals DO NOT fit the front when it comes to using NAPA seals :D Oh well, it was worth a shot. I'll end up ordering the Timken seals from RockAuto. Their prices for Timken seals were much less than Partsgeek.

Re: Quick question on front wheel bearing removal
 

Thanks for documenting this project, been wanting to do this for a while.

What sort of problems were you experiencing which required changing the front bearings?

Re: Quick question on front wheel bearing removal
 

I'll start a new thread on this topic so that it's easy to search.

The reason for doing all this was the classic "while I'm in there"! Both front boots needed to be dealt with so I figured why not do the bearings, seals, rotors, pads and CV axles all in one shot! It's not much more work than just doing the axles. :rolleyes:

update
 

Well crap, the Timken seals from RockAuto don't fit the front either :mad: Seems that the aftermarket database is incorrect in saying that the rear inner/outer seals will fit the front outer/inner locations!

I've sent an email to Jackie. If anyone purchased aftermarket wheel bearing seals for the front, please let me know where you bought them from!

Thanks.

Re: Quick question on front wheel bearing removal
 

I got the Centric ones from rockauto.com, they fit fine. I also got the Timken ones but I didn't try them, the Centric had the extra lip that sticks out like the factory ones do.

Re: Quick question on front wheel bearing removal
 

Would you mind taking a look at your RockAuto invoice and check the p/n for the inner and outer front seal please? Looks like Centric 41747011 front inner and Centric 41747012 front outer.

I'll have to return the shipment of Timken seals from them and exchange them for the correct ones.

Thank you.

Re: Quick question on front wheel bearing removal
 

Those are the numbers I ordered.

Re: Quick question on front wheel bearing removal
 

Thanks for the confirmation, worked like a charm. Project is buttoned up and I'm rolling.