Cursed %*@:! Bearings!!!

[Shadowyng]

AFter all the years that we (I) have been replacing bearings on this blasted wonderful car, has anyone come up yet with an alternative bearing on the market other than the OEM SUBARU BEARINGS that have plagued my car and my life???

[msvx95]

Does anyone know the dimensions of the bearings we have in our vehicles?.......I have a few bearing catalogs at work where we order tapered, radial, thrust, needle, you name it......catalogs such as Timken, Torrington, Fafnir, SKF........
If someone knew what the assembly consisted of, I'm sure it would be cheaper to somehow order through a bearing company.

I'm assuming we have tapered roller bearings with seals, cup and cones, possibly cup and cone spacers..........although I'm not really sure since I haven't taken one apart yet...(Crossing my fingers that one doesn't fail)

[mbtoloczko]

I know its not what you want to hear, but the bearing is strong enough. This same bearing is used on the WRX STi.

[Shadowyng]

If indeed the bearings are strong enough, why in God's name are the bearings going after installation. I use a press to insert them, tighten them to specs and still the bearings are going bad AGAIN!!

I know everyone has discussed this topic before. I got a sure fix way that will cure the bearing problem forever.. Getting a new car...although I could never make that decision!

[mohrds]

Originally posted by msvx95
Does anyone know the dimensions of the bearings we have in our vehicles?.......I have a few bearing catalogs at work where we order tapered, radial, thrust, needle, you name it......catalogs such as Timken, Torrington, Fafnir, SKF........
If someone knew what the assembly consisted of, I'm sure it would be cheaper to somehow order through a bearing company.

I'm assuming we have tapered roller bearings with seals, cup and cones, possibly cup and cone spacers..........although I'm not really sure since I haven't taken one apart yet...(Crossing my fingers that one doesn't fail)

I have a brand new housing lying around waiting for me to measure it. I do not have either the bearing or the hub to measure. From the bearing set I bought last:
There are 3 stampings on the bearing spaced equally apart.

JAPAN CL

NTN

4T-CRI-08A02

BTW: This roller bearing is Subaru part # 28016PA010 made 2/11/00 in the good ole USA.

Perhaps you could get the dimensions from the NTN catalog and find something stronger with the same dimensions.

Doug

[n00b on demand]

Isn't the key thing with bearing replacement the grease that is used? I think thats a key reason why they fail...or at least thats what ive heard.

[oab_au]

I think it has more to do with the pre-load that the bearing has, or doesn't have.

Being two tapered roller bearings, in a double ended outer race, the small gap that exists between the two inner sections, provides the preload, when the axil nut is torqued up, squeezing the two races in together. ( really have to look at a bearing to see what I mean ).

If this preload is lost, due to the axil nut, not being torqued up to specs, or the race was not pressed into the housing fully, or a burr that was there, when it was torqued up, finally disapearing, the race will fail in quick time. Tapered races can't last without preload.

I think that when a bearing is replaced, all the right things should be done. When the car has done a few hundred miles, the axil nut should be retorqued to spec again, to account for any slack that has developed. It may be worth doing every 10k.

Harvey.

[TomsSVX]

I cannot remember what bearings I had used when I did mine. Got them at Napa and they didn't cost too much. They were either Timken or SKF. These are supposed better in the long run as long as they are greased properly. Try going outside the OEM box and using aftermarket bearings. Might be worth your time.

Tom

[Matthewmongan]

to be honest i just replace the whole axol. but thats me. after haveing one bearing bind on i just said fudge it and i haven had to replace one since (that was 3 years ago) its an easier instal and it last longer maybe for the life of the car i let you know.

[msvx95]

Originally posted by mohrds


I have a brand new housing lying around waiting for me to measure it. I do not have either the bearing or the hub to measure. From the bearing set I bought last:
There are 3 stampings on the bearing spaced equally apart.

JAPAN CL

NTN

4T-CRI-08A02

BTW: This roller bearing is Subaru part # 28016PA010 made 2/11/00 in the good ole USA.

Perhaps you could get the dimensions from the NTN catalog and find something stronger with the same dimensions.

Doug

The dimensions on this NTN tapered roller bearing are as follows:

1.65" (42mm) Bore
2.83" (72mm) O.D.
2.05" (52mm) bearing overall cone width
1.89" (48mm) bearing overall cup width
57,000 lbs dynamic load rating (C)
80,000 static load rating (Co)

Doesn't appear to have seals......very possible lubrication loss is the main reason they fail.
I'll try to find some other equivalent bearings from other sources when I have extra time.

[mohrds]

Originally posted by oab_au
I think that when a bearing is replaced, all the right things should be done. When the car has done a few hundred miles, the axil nut should be retorqued to spec again, to account for any slack that has developed. It may be worth doing every 10k.

Harvey.

That is a great suggestion. Its cheap and easy to do and may help tremendously.

Doug

[Shadowyng]

MSVX95...Thanks for the help!
Yeah I've heard of other people replacing the entire housing or the whole axle. It can be done ....but necessary???!?!?!?!?

[Shadowyng]

Matt where in Cleveland do you live.. by some of the pictures with the snow it might seem like the east side near the snow belt. I lived in Euclid for two years then in Lakewood for three.. Had enough time there not seeing the sun so I moved south!

[msvx95]

Hey no problem!
I live in Garfield Heights......My back yard overlooks valley view and Independence..........all near I-77 and I-480
Small world huh!

Yeah the winters have been colder and messier every year......good choice to move closer to the sun!!

[mbtoloczko]

Originally posted by msvx95

...
Doesn't appear to have seals......very possible lubrication loss is the main reason they fail.
...

It is an open bearing design, but Subaru has seals for the bearings.