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Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
As I mentioned in another thread, I got some information from Timken that contradicts what many people on this forum have said. According to Timken, the bearings come packed in grease that is sufficient in both quality and quantity to be installed as-is. They did mention that, if you are going to re-pack them with a better grease to completely clean out the original grease. So they imply that there is better grease out there but that you don't have to re-pack them. They said only their unit bearings on rear axles come with shipping grease sufficient only for startup operation.
Was the grease issue just with bearings purchased from Subaru? My mechanic said that they just install the bearings with the supplied grease unless otherwise instructed. I didn't ask him if that was aftermarket bearings like Timken or all bearings including the ones supplied by Subaru. Perhaps the repeat failures people were seeing were mainly due to the hubs needing to be replaced, use of crappy seals or incorrect torque used when installing them instead of the grease in the bearings. Thoughts?
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#2
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
i used timken and i repacked them with mobill synthetic grease and put about 10,000 miles... no problem thus far..
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#3
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
Some vehicles (like trucks with solid rear axles) have bearings that get lubricated by the oil from the differential. But when you replace the bearings, there is no oil in them to start with, so they are supposed to have some grease at start up. I'm guessing that's what they were referring to.
Obviously, that's not the case with our cars. I personally would repack any bearing I install just because then I know exactly what kind and how much grease was used, and that it's clean My 2¢.
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Glen SOLD - 1992 LSL 180K #8588 with svxfiles' all aluminum radiator; Wolf's head synthetic ATF in tranny and power steering; lighted power mode switch; Mobil 1 10W30 motor oil with Bosch 72158 filter; ACDelco A975C air filter; Valvoline synthetic 75W-90 gear oil, Optima BlueTop battery 2002 F550 74K SOLD - 2000 F450 215K 1987 BMW 535i 209K 1999 Yamaha SRX 700 |
#4
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
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From what I have read the subaru bearings are shipped from overseas and to keep the saltwater damage down they are coated with a different grease and so when you get them you need to clean them completely and repack them with the correct grease. Now other companies Ie timkin may use different procedures. Personally I got to agree with SVX8588 it only takes a little time for true peace of mind. |
#5
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#6
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
Tony, the previous owner of my 97 ebony had his rear bearings replaced four times within a four year period from the Subaru dealer. Sounds like they just put them in with the packing grease. My mechanic replaced both rear bearings in my wrecked 96 timken, and left rear in my 96 polo timken both which I no longer own, and we washed out the packing grease with brake cleaner, dried them off and repacked them by hand with Amsoil red synthetic grease. No problems and quiet as a mouse. Your asking for trouble if you dont repack them with proper grease
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1995 POLO LSI 76K MILES SOLD |
#7
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
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#8
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
For many years SVX owners have felt the consequences of not repacking the wheel bearings with grease before they were installed. They were originally sold packed only with only a substance that protected the metal surfaces of the components in the bearing between the time of manufacturing and were sold to the consumer, and installed.
It would make no sense to just install them without making sure they are correctly greased. What "some guy" that answers the phone at "tinkers" said would never be good enough for me. That could even be where that old saying "not worth a tinkers damn" came from! Considering the history of problems from not flushing the bearing out and installing them the way they are when sold. I for one would take the little effort required and make sure it is correct. Too expensive and time-consuming if it isn't done correctly. But... that is just me. Keith |
#9
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
Subaru issued a new TSB regarding wheel bearing installation, saying not to repack their wheel bearings with any kind of grease and they were ready to install out of the box.
http://www.downloads.bustedfingermot...20bearings.pdf I had heard before that the SVX wheel bearings stopped using the light shipping grease and were now packing them with the correct grease. .
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . |
#10
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
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Maybe you have more information? After all, you are always "full of it" Just kidding, of course... You are invaluable for us all... We are blessed on this site! Keith |
#11
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
Aint that the truth...
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'94 Laguna Blue LSi ~159k.......JDM ultra short-geared 3.900 STi Version 7 6-speed w/ Cobb shortshifter, ECUtune 244,8.1mm/256,9.1mm i/e cams, group N motor mounts, '97 grille, JDM clear corners, Momo JDM Legacy GT steering wheel, apkarian's LED tails, silver STi BBS wheels, PWR radiator, redstuff pads f/r, drilled/slotted rotors, bontragerworks rsb #18, Koni/GC 450f/375r coilovers, Megan Racing adjustable lateral links, KMac c/c plates, Stebro exhaust, ECUtune 1v5, Optima battery in the trunk where it belongs. Turbo project '97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album |
#12
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
Def repack! Check my locker for how to with pics
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94 Bordeaux Pearl SVX Lsi B&M cooler with Aux ATF filter. QC Kit Plus 06 Sti Gold Wheels. SOLD 92 Claret WRX 5 speed ECUTune 1AV1 Gold STI Wheels & more. SOLD 92 Teal SVX LSL lowered with Konig. SOLD 92 Black SVX LSL with B&M cooler & Aux filter. Small Car Shift Kit. Gone 94 Red SVX L FWDwith LSL Leather Interior. SOLD 92 Teal SVX LSL....with B&M cooler & Aux filter. Small Car Shift Kit. SOLD 95 Polo Green........With Trany Problem. GONE Almost complete Rear Wheel Bearings Job with Pictures in my locker My Locker http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/user.php?pearlm30 |
#13
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
The original post refers to Timken bearings not Subaru.
The repeat failure of Subaru bearings for many years was due to them having shipping grease which was to stop corrosion only. I have never heard of the same bonehead mistake being made by any other manufacturer. Last edited by Blacky; 05-11-2012 at 05:13 AM. |
#14
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
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By the way, these bearings are used on some of the newer Saab 9-2x and Subaru STi models so I doubt there are any of the improperly greased bearings hanging around in stock rooms.
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Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything Last edited by Huskymaniac; 05-11-2012 at 06:11 AM. |
#15
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Re: Do replacement wheel bearings need to be re-packed or not?
It's very easy to do actually, just eye-balling it. I think you're over-thinking this one. Just change the grease so you know that there's good grease. The grease they come with pretty much fills up every space in the bearing, so it's not like you can really fill it more than it was already.
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'94 Laguna Blue LSi ~159k.......JDM ultra short-geared 3.900 STi Version 7 6-speed w/ Cobb shortshifter, ECUtune 244,8.1mm/256,9.1mm i/e cams, group N motor mounts, '97 grille, JDM clear corners, Momo JDM Legacy GT steering wheel, apkarian's LED tails, silver STi BBS wheels, PWR radiator, redstuff pads f/r, drilled/slotted rotors, bontragerworks rsb #18, Koni/GC 450f/375r coilovers, Megan Racing adjustable lateral links, KMac c/c plates, Stebro exhaust, ECUtune 1v5, Optima battery in the trunk where it belongs. Turbo project '97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album |
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