Wheel Bearings: just bend me over...

[svxcess]

I went down to one of the Subaru Dealerships where I get parts at a great discount (They discount 25% for SVXWN and NASIOC members) Robyn, the parts department manager is great to deal with. I never used their service department though

But for the past month, I have been hearing that dreaded roaring noise from the back of the SVX, from the right side. I thought it was either a wheel bearing or abnormal tire noise from an uneven wearing tire. So While I was there for some parts, they had an appointment open to check it out.

After having it on a lift and rotating the wheels, listening, checking other things, and doing a road test, the verdict from the SVX Master Tech was that the right rear bearing was definitely going and the left was on its way too. He said if I only replaced the right one and made it quiet, that the left one would then be noticeable.

He also said the backing plates for both rotors were corroded, pitting and the plys of metal were separating somewhat and needed replacing.

So the estimate came out to $1524.76 for two bearings and two new backing plates. Parts were $660.00 and the labor was about $800.00, plus $35.00 tax. They would need it for two days

The charge for the inspection, analysis, and road test was $44.00 plus a $5.00 "shop materials charge" for miscellaneous supplies. When I asked the Service Manager what that included, she said "solvents, cleaners, lubricants, towels, etc." (none of which they used)

Although they will not fix my car at those prices, I secretly believe that one of those lubricants I would be charged for would be K-Y Jelly

""Thank you, ma'am, but I think I may need a little more before I agree to this estimate."

Maybe they did not want the hassle of working on my Polo, so they tried to discourage me with these prices.

The backing plates behind the rear rotors are over $200.00 each; can I take them off and get along without them?

.

[Hocrest]

Isn't this something OT can do without the KY Jelly

Someone is running without the backing plates/dust shields??? Desert Runner maybe?? After reading his post, I planned to remove them next time the racer was that far apart...

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Isn't this something OT can do without the KY Jelly

Someone is running without the backing plates/dust shields??? Desert Runner maybe?? After reading his post, I planned to remove them next time the racer was that far apart...

I had always planned for OT to do this, depending on his schedule. I just wanted a quick confirmation. I told them that if they replaced both wheel bearings and the noise was still there, that it must have been the tire all along.

I would then ask for my money back and have them reinstall my old bearings.
.

[svxistentialist]

Metal separating?

Do they use a lot of salt in Maryland? How could the plates get that bad so soon?

They are just taking you for a ride, I expect.

This is one of the problems of keeping your car looking like a million dollars, John. They figure you actually want to spend that kind of money to keep it perfect.

Joe

[huck369]

John, I doubt the backing plates need to be replaced..
Worst case take them off have them acid dipped or sandblasted, and powder coat them...still cheaper than $200 each....or just find a nice set od used ones from a west coast car....I'm sure there are some west coast members that could get you a great set for a few bucks.

[GreenMarine]

Yep... Sounds about right... I paid something close to $1400 last winter to have both of my wheelbearings done... It's pretty damn expensive huh?

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by GreenMarineSVX

Yep... Sounds about right... I paid something close to $1400 last winter to have both of my wheelbearings done... It's pretty damn expensive huh?

Chris, you should have brought it to me and you would have had $926.54 to spend on gas and beer.

$105.00 labor,
$66.33 for a rear Subaru bearing.#28016PA010
$7.06 for Subaru seal #28015AA070
$8.56 for Subaru seal #28015AA080
$3.50 for Subaru wheel nut #28044AA001
$42.00 for steaming, degreasing, repacking and pressing the new bearing.
$4.28 tax
$236.73 Total. X 2 = $473.46

Shameless plug by;
Original Tom

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by svxfiles

Chris, you should have brought it to me and you would have had $926.54 to spend on gas and beer.

$105.00 labor,
$66.33 for a rear Subaru bearing.#28016PA010
$7.06 for Subaru seal #28015AA070
$8.56 for Subaru seal #28015AA080
$3.50 for Subaru wheel nut #28044AA001
$42.00 for steaming, degreasing, repacking and pressing the new bearing.
$4.28 tax
$236.73 Total. X 2 = $473.46

Shameless plug by;
Original Tom

We mods will allow such "shameless plugs" for the good of our SVX owners.

{Your labor charges are a tad less than the dealership at 1/20th the cost. Are these guys bringing you beer, or something??}

Joe

[Manarius]

Eh, my old mechanic did wheel bearings for $120 each. I don't know where this $750 business is coming from.

[redsvx]

Originally Posted by Manarius

Eh, my old mechanic did wheel bearings for $120 each. I don't know where this $750 business is coming from.

My cost for the parts is $100 each side!
For that price did he do them on the car or take off the hubs???

[GreenMarine]

Originally Posted by svxfiles

Chris, you should have brought it to me and you would have had $926.54 to spend on gas and beer.

$105.00 labor,
$66.33 for a rear Subaru bearing.#28016PA010
$7.06 for Subaru seal #28015AA070
$8.56 for Subaru seal #28015AA080
$3.50 for Subaru wheel nut #28044AA001
$42.00 for steaming, degreasing, repacking and pressing the new bearing.
$4.28 tax
$236.73 Total. X 2 = $473.46

Shameless plug by;
Original Tom

Damn!!! Where do you live again Tom?? Next time I have something major (and the car is still drivable) I might have to take a trip up that way to see ya

~ Chris

[Manarius]

Originally Posted by redsvx

My cost for the parts is $100 each side!
For that price did he do them on the car or take off the hubs???

Took them off. On my old Legacy, the bearings were $60 a pop. Then $60 for labor on each one (an hour a bearing). That was rears too - disassembling the parking brake and pressing the bearing into the hub.

[dcarrb]

Originally Posted by svxfiles

C$105.00 labor,
$66.33 for a rear Subaru bearing.#28016PA010
$7.06 for Subaru seal #28015AA070
$8.56 for Subaru seal #28015AA080
$3.50 for Subaru wheel nut #28044AA001
$42.00 for steaming, degreasing, repacking and pressing the new bearing.
$4.28 tax
$236.73 Total. X 2 = $473.46

Last December, my mechanic charged $465, which included a shop materials fee, machine shop fee, environmental impact fee, uniform cleaning fee, Chinese take-out for the crew, you name it. Good to know he's charging a fair rate.

dcb

[Tim]

I know I'm not really located very close to you guys, but I thought I'd throw it out there:

If anyone nearby wants to use my hubtamer to tackle the job themselves they can feel free to borrow it

[svxcess]

I just got back from svxfiles house a little bit ago. I got up there yesterday afternoon to get my wheel bearings replaced, and check out a mysterious rattle in the engine/exhaust. When I got there, he was working on the latest version of the exhaust for the S/C Claret (a very unique and fresh approach; his 15th version). We worked on that awhile until he hit a stopping point, as his new mufflers hadn't come in yet) and then started working on mine.

We removed the bearing hub/knuckles last night and had them at the machine shop early this morning to have the new bearings and seals pressed in.

Just as luck would have it, while my bearings were at the machine shop, Tom's new hubtamer arrived today. The bearings took a lot longer than expected at the machine shop, but once we got them back, the rest was a piece of cake.

While waiting for the bearings, we discovered that the mysterious rattle was from a piece of the ceramic inside the Magnaflow higflow cat. Somehow it had broken loose and was rattling inside sporadically with the exhaust pressure. Just replaced the cat with a new one and it was back to be as quiet as could be.

Speaking of quiet, between the new wheel bearings, new converter, and the EE/3 exhaust system, I can almost hear my watch tick when cruising at 80mph.

There also was nothing wrong with the backing plates that the dealer wanted almost $400, plus labor, to replace, just a slight re-bending of the bottom of the one on the driver's side..

Tom did an OUTSTANDING job, as always. That is why I never hesitate to make the 300 mile round trip to him. Nothing escapes his scrutiny and everything was checked and rechecked.

And the price for all this perfection was less than 1/3 of what that dealer wanted. As Tom quoted earlier in this thread, less than $475.00 for two complete bearing replacements.

Now that Tom has the hubtamer, he can replace bearings anytime he needs to (not having to wait for the machine shop to be open).


The only thing left to do later in the year is the timing belt/water pump/ spark plugs,( which are still original at 110,000 miles ( and maybe an oil pump as well) And of course the H3 fog light modification to HIDs at the end of this month.

.