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Subaru Legacy/Outback Wheel bearing failure

149 messages,  Last post on Jun 02, 2012 at 12:08 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Outback, Auto Repair, Car Warranties, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 11 of 16

#94 of 149 Re: Front Wheel Bearing [britbiker] by blackbean

Jun 05, 2009 (11:22 am)

Replying to: britbiker (Sep 08, 2008 7:15 pm)
My front right bearing went at 77k on my '02 bean. It was $414.03 at the Subie dealer. I actually asked them to replace both front bearings and they said it was not needed. I guess back in the day (25 years ago), as a backyard mechanic I would just make a day out of it and replace all of them thinking that if one went, they were all close...maybe true for my old 67 Volvo, but the bearings on Subies should last for 150-200k (unless ther eis a defect and premature failure) according to the dealer.

#95 of 149 Re: Front Wheel Bearing [blackbean] by xwesx

Jun 13, 2009 (7:07 pm)

Replying to: blackbean (Jun 05, 2009 11:22 am)
That should be right. I put 220K on my '96 Outback with no wheel bearing problems whatsoever.

#96 of 149 Basic questions re diagnosis by garyg1054

Jul 08, 2009 (11:20 pm)

First of all, let me state that we just bought our fifth Subaru. We only still have four of the five, because the 2003 Outback was lost in an underground garage flood.(We now have two Outbacks and two Impreza Sports). All have run exceptionally well, in my humble opinion. They have been safe cars for my children. I have owned two Toyotas and two Hondas in my 38 years of driving and the Subarus are at least as well made. The Odysseys have had ongoing transmission and catalytic converter problems documented at the Ody club site. The Subarus are better made than the Mazda and Nissan which I formerly owned. The '98 Outback had the gasket problem. Anyway, I will get to the point. I wrote last fall to this forum to inquire into the potential of a wheel bearing failure in my '05 Outback Legacy, but it turned out to be a brake issue. I am now newly hearing a rather loud (and never before heard) noise from the rear at low speed while the engine is cold, and it is a little intermittent. It sounds like metal scraping on metal but might have a little grinding mixed in. The noise disappears at higher speeds when the engine is warm. The noise tends to most often occur while making a turn at low speed when it seems to echo off the walls of the underground parking facility. Just a few weeks ago I had the transmission and transaxles flushed for the first time (at 58k miles). Is it possible that the oil in the differential was not replaced? While I no longer do my own repairs, I foolishly think that I can understand the mechanics of the car well enough. This noise has me stumped, though I have never really had a bad wheel bearing before. I have read thru all of the prior 95 messages in this forum, and no one provides a basic explanation of the noises and symptoms which lead to a diagnosis of a wheel bearing (or CV joint) failure. Would one of the pros (like paisan Mike, or kcram) explain symptoms and clues? Would the noise of a bad wheel bearing be constant? Is is always a grinding noise? Could it occur as I have described? Would the car ride any differently, such as with a slight vibrational up and down movement? Almost all of the posts in this forum seem to assume that the diagnosis has been already been made. What should I expect to occur? I do have the 80,000 mile Subaru extended warrant-the car now has 59,950 on it. For repairs, I switch back and forth between a good local mechanic and my dealer, depending on the issue, level of expertise involved, warranty coverage, etc. but that assumes that I have a good idea of the problem. Thanks guys, I appreciate your willingness to impart your knowledge. Postscript after reading prior messages: erik9 may have somehow bought a lemon (I never heard of self-prep on a new car) but he really was determined for a good while to just show up at the forum and bad mouth the entire brand. If many people really had his experience then the brand would be in bankruptcy.....Thanks again.

#97 of 149 bearings? by orangelebaron

Dec 11, 2009 (10:12 pm)

I'm glad I found this thread and read about this extended warranty. On the way home tonight (cold out!) on the parkway I started hearing loud strange growl and pitch from the right rear on my 2005 Outback with 64K.
 
I'm like ARE YOU KIDDING ME? It sounds like a wheel bearing. It actually made noise also as I was slowing down... then after I pulled into a parking lot to check it out, it went away. See what happens tomorrow.

#98 of 149 Re: bearings? [orangelebaron] by ateixeira

Dec 12, 2009 (6:35 am)

Replying to: orangelebaron (Dec 11, 2009 10:12 pm)
Usually the pitch of the noise will vary with speed, i.e. higher as you increase speeds.
 
Our 626 went "chunk chunk Chunk CHUNK CHUNK CHUNK" when its bearing went bad.

#99 of 149 Wheelbearing problems by graycew

Feb 11, 2010 (8:34 am)

Anyone have consistent problems with Subaru wheelbearings? I have a 99 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport with 250,000 miles on it. Engine runs great. My only real problem is the wheelbearings going out over and over again. I have replaced the wheel bearings on the car SEVEN times. The first time at 77,000 miles after the 50,000 mile warranty was expired. No one has been able to put in a wheelbearing that lasts more than 50,000 miles and no one has been able to tell me why they keep going out. I am the original owner/driver. The car does not carry extra weight and usually has just the driver in the car. :lemon?

#100 of 149 Re: Wheelbearing problems [graycew] by ateixeira

Feb 11, 2010 (11:18 am)

Replying to: graycew (Feb 11, 2010 8:34 am)
For Foresters, Subaru recommended replacing the wheel bearings with similar parts from the Legacy, which were heavier duty. You should try the same, I bet they'll fit.
 
I'm surprised your mechanic wasn't aware of that, or what it a Subaru dealer? Maybe they wanted you to keep coming back, if so shame on them.

#101 of 149 Re: Wheelbearing problems [graycew] by gt40mk2

Feb 23, 2010 (9:39 am)

Replying to: graycew (Feb 11, 2010 8:34 am)
Hi - I've got a 2005 Legacy wagon that I bought last year at 95 km, now 112. Just found out the front bearings need replacing. Not surprised - I had been hearing a fairly loud hum that I thought was the tires combined with AWD (my first AWD vehicle). Don't know if first owner was hard on it or what, or if that can possibly make a difference with bearings. It was a lease though. I'll be forking out $720 for the two at dealer (Toronto).

#102 of 149 Re: Wheelbearing problems [gt40mk2] by ateixeira

Feb 23, 2010 (2:53 pm)

Replying to: gt40mk2 (Feb 23, 2010 9:39 am)
I guess you're past the powertrain warranty?

#103 of 149 Steering problum (chunking noise) by ahmbdm

Mar 11, 2010 (5:29 am)

My 2003 Baja makes a loud popping or chunking noise whenever I turn hard at low speeds (e.g. pulling out of a parking space). Had both CV axles replaced...not the problem. This happens when turning either right or left...any ideas?
[Manual transmission...vehicle excellent other than above problem.]

Messages Page 11 of 16

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