Subaru Forester Owners Forum banner
  • The "Garage" feature is for images of YOUR VEHICLE/S only - no blanks or other unrelated images please, thanks

Changing rear wheel bearing

24K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  scristaldi  
Subaru used to recommend bearings would be pressed in using a hydraulic press, but then revised that when they determined even a hydraulic press (which is a pretty gentle- all things considered- way of installing bearings) could result in premature bearing failure. Subaru now recommends you use an on car "hub shark" type tool (made by OTC, runs around $400). However, there are several other knockoffs that other tool brands have come out.

That lateral link bolt is going to give you serious trouble. I snapped mine and am in the process of drilling it out right now. It's rust welded it self not only to the lateral link bushings sleeves, but also the knuckle. I'm far from the first person to run into this problem.
^^^This^^^
Shop presses can damage the wheel bearing/hub, it really doesn't take very much force to properly install the wheel bearings, way less pressure than shop presses are capable of. The on hub bearing tools, like the one in the service bulletin that Peaty posted, are what Subaru recommends now and they are easy to use properly.

If you use an on hub bearing tool you don't have to remove the long lateral bolt(hardest bolt to remove on the entire car). You'll have to unbolt the rear differential and move it around to get the rear drive shafts out of the hub, but it's easier than messing with the lateral link bolt and cheaper(you almost always end up having to cut the bolt and destroy the bushing/s in the lateral link/s). I've done all four of mine using a cheap Harbor freight bearing tool without a hitch, take your time pay attention and you'll be fine.
 
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.