[Huskymaniac]

So, back to wheel bearing hell. I am getting a growling noise from the back again. Tough to say which side but I think it is the left side. On that side, I repacked the bearing with Redline grease before pressing it into a new Subaru hub. It has lasted 56,000 miles. Much better than before but not as long as I would have hoped. Both rear axles have had the hub replaced along with the bearing per Nate's suggestion and both have lasted way longer than what I was experiencing prior. Too bad he wigged out. I liked Nate and he did seem to be pretty competent.

I am going to replace the hub again and, maybe this time, not repack the bearing and leave the grease that the manufacturer puts in there. That is what is did on the right side when I replaced it 38,000 miles ago.

I am torn on the bearing to buy. I have read conflicting reports on the OEM manufacturer. I have read NTN (National), SKF and Koyo. When I bought Timken in the past, the box came with an NTN bearing in it which, I understand, is common practice. These guys split up manufacturing and then sell each other's products under their own name. I have no idea which bearing Subaru is selling these days. If it is Koyo, that may be the only source for that manufacturer. Having said that, Subaru bearings have proven to be crap so maybe it is a good idea to avoid them. If so, that leaves SKF and Timken/NTN. Do I give SKF a try or stick with Timken/NTN and see if keeping their grease in the bearing helps. SKF claims to use a premium grease and cages that are made from fiberglass reinforced polyamide. I like the use of polyamide as that is a nice high temperature plastic. But the idea of glass in a bearing seems unwise.

Opinions?