Wheel Bearings...Front & Rear?? - Page 2

GOT2HAVESVX · #16 10-26-2007, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiftySVX

I've been in this little community since before this site existed, in fact, for those who remember when we were a yahoo group, i was there. SALES people may not know about the SVX, but the service people will. I have many years of experience and more certifications than I can remember, as well as over 100 college hours in automotive technology. I've personally replaced more wheel bearings than you could count. I don't work for Subaru, I AM TRYING TO WORK FOR YOU SO YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CAR FIXED PROPERLY AND NOT HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN SOON. I do this because I have experience that I don't think many on here do.

END OF RANT

Sorry bout that , I should have asked IF youve been here long enough to hear the horror stories...Didnt mean to offend you but WHY did you say in your original post " ALWAYS" have a dealership replace them" since youve been here THAT long you have heard all the rip off stories and stories of the dealerships having no clue what they are doing to our cars....I just didnt understand WHY you wanted to send me to on?? BTW as for the service people knowing about this car....dont be so sure! I had to order a piece for my window and the guy who ordered it DIDNT know of our cars. Probably one in a million I know but....As for your RANT. Im impressed. As for your certifications and skilz, Im impressed. Now, Tom, can you please contact me. I need wheel bearings, I think. Or some help figuring out what I do need. I didnt ask for an argument , I asked for advice.

msvx95 · #17 10-26-2007, 10:12 AM

You have to check with some suby dealers and see how long their master tech has been working there and if there is an SVX specialist....but my first choice would be to get it to someone such as Tom where you will know it will be done correctly and alot cheaper.

msvx95 · #18 10-26-2007, 10:20 AM

Audrey, get your car trailered to Tom and you'll be good to go. Is it still driveable or what's its current operational condition again?

Manarius · #19 10-26-2007, 11:09 AM

Why don't we press bearings in? I had bearings pressed in on my Legacy and they were still silent after 30k miles.

I always thought a press was the best way to go on these matters.

And there's no way I'm going to the dealer and giving them $500 to do one wheel bearing. Eff that. I can go to my mechanic and have them ALL done for $500.

GOT2HAVESVX · #20 10-26-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msvx95

Audrey, get your car trailered to Tom and you'll be good to go. Is it still driveable or what's its current operational condition again?

Thanks, for the advice! I need Tom to get in touch with me and see what he can do for me. I have an awesome mechanic, I havent even asked about it yet. (remember he did all my Drilled/slotted rotors, SS lines and pads for 75$!) Cant beat that! But if ya'll are saying he can press them in...Manarius...I think Troy can do them and hes only 2 miles away. <p>Yeah its driveable, good thing cause I hate my explorer, Once you go SVX ya never go back! LOL I have been giving it a rest about 3 days a week because I know its hurt! <p>Thanks guys for the GOOD info, I like to come here for the info I know I can always get!

NiftySVX · #21 10-27-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manarius

Why don't we press bearings in? I had bearings pressed in on my Legacy and they were still silent after 30k miles.

I always thought a press was the best way to go on these matters.

And there's no way I'm going to the dealer and giving them $500 to do one wheel bearing. Eff that. I can go to my mechanic and have them ALL done for $500.

Subaru decided that pressing the bearings in was a cause of failure. When pressing the knuckle and hub back together, you end up pressing in a way that causes the force to be applied to the bearing aginst the inner race. I don't know for sure that it was the cause, but subaru thought it was enough to make a new special service tool mandatory. I personally think there is a seal problem that is causing these things to go bad, I know that is what is wrong with the legacy. I think the bearing is just fine, but either the inner or outer seal allows moisture or debris inside the bearing and causes failure. I think that we are just going to have to accept that these bearings are going to need to be replaced periodically, and I don't understand why it has to be this way.

svxfiles · #22 10-30-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOT2HAVESVX

Now, Tom, can you please contact me. I need wheel bearings, I think. Or some help figuring out what I do need. I didnt ask for an argument , I asked for advice.

Hi Audrey,

If I am the Tom that you are looking for my secret phone #is 301-707-3437.
We have been totally busy with the four day Pumpkin Carve event

, and I did not see this till now. Sorry about that.
Tom

sd2649 · #23 10-31-2007, 08:53 AM

I am pondering the idea of replacing my wheel bearings and have always thought that the ability to regrease the bearing while still assembled would help the longevity of our bearings. Anyone here ever have one out and look at it themselves?? If there was a face inside of the bearing seals that did not have pressure being applied to it, I would be willing to drill and tap a hole for a grease fitting in there. I'd give it a try if it was even possible! Ok guys, don't be too harsh if it's impossible!

msvx95 · #24 10-31-2007, 10:13 AM

This is not a journal bearing with a housing you can put a grease fitting on...I'm not sure where you would think to put one based on your description.
The problem are the seals letting in debris or grease out...You are not fixing the problem if you are adding grease because the seal itself is still the issue.
The bearings should come factory lubricated and you really shouldn't have to do anything with them....although some members repack them with higher quality grease.

sd2649 · #25 10-31-2007, 03:47 PM

I should have mentioned that mine is FWD, bearings should be housed a little differently. Also, I must disagree, being able to replace the old grease with new grease as often as needed would lubricate the bearing in a much better way. This is especially true if the seals are leaking..... think about it. Bad seals allow debris and moisture in, force it out with new grease every oil change, hmmm.... might do something!

NiftySVX · #26 10-31-2007, 06:28 PM

The bearings are set up exactly the same on the rear wheels in AWD vs FWD, there is just a "stub" axle in the rear on the FWD models. There isn't anywhere to drill a hole to get access to the inside of the bearing. It might help, unfortunatly, it is impossible. You could take out the stub axle and the seal, and then the inboard inner race would be visible and you could try and pack some grease in there, so it is theoretically possible to re grease the bearings, but I don't know if it would help or not, you may do more damage than good. It usually seems to be the outboard bearing set that wears anyway.

sd2649 · #27 11-01-2007, 08:20 AM

thanks for the help, atleast I have an idea of what I'm going to see when I get to it. I haven't seen a description on the FWD until now! I'm sure yall are right on the grease fitting, I'll look but everyone on here is pretty knowledgeable, so, I'm not hoping for a breakthrough.