Rear wheel bearing AGAIN!

[rustfarmer]

The factory wheel bearings lasted about 60K miles so I had a dealer replace them--$1200. Car now has 180K miles and I have replaced the bearings one side at a time several more times and now needs the left side again. I've gotten pretty good at doing this job and takes about 45 minutes a side now, but sure would be nice if someone makes a better version of this part. Last time I used a Moog and that's what I need to replace. Interestingly, I have never had to replace a front hub. Any advice on brand that might be better? Several brands claim to be an improved part, but who knows?

[nvu]

If you're doing it yourself, NTN is the oem supplier for subaru.  Look for those or BCA (NTN subsidiary, not made in japan).  I haven't heard of counterfeit NTN parts out there yet, but wouldn't be surprised if they exist. Be wary and research online suppliers if it looks too good to be true.

Edited June 7 by nvu

[idosubaru]

On 5/2/2024 at 9:05 AM, rustfarmer said:

The factory wheel bearings lasted about 60K miles so I had a dealer replace them--$1200. Car now has 180K miles and I have replaced the bearings one side at a time several more times and now needs the left side again. I've gotten pretty good at doing this job and takes about 45 minutes a side now, but sure would be nice if someone makes a better version of this part. Last time I used a Moog and that's what I need to replace. Interestingly, I have never had to replace a front hub. Any advice on brand that might be better? Several brands claim to be an improved part, but who knows?

Subaru only on wheel bearings and use a torque wrench that’s accurate. Or the OEM supplier if you can verify it. Sometimes you get an OEM bearing in a MOOG or Beck Arnley Box then the next time you buy the same bearing, same car, same supplier you get a non-Subaru bearing? Moving target unless you can verify the manufacturer.

Non-Subaru Aftermarket wheel bearings are trash and fail all the time. They fail less often if torqued very carefully, use a toque wrench. Follow the Subaru manual procedure. Torque before putting the car on the ground.  I can zip on Subaru bearings without a torque wrench and they never fail.  The aftermarket bearings needing much more babied gives me littlr confidence in the long run so I avoid them when I can  

If you’re having repeat failures using OEM Subaru bearings and proper torque settings then let us know: 

1. Has it had an alignment?

2. Do you have records of how many times and mileage you’ve replace each rear bearing? Post it if you do  

3. have you owned it since new?

4. has it ever been wrecked?

5. Is it rusty?