Wheel Bearings for Offroad/High Loading

[Andyjo]

So i've got this impreza, and last summer my rear wheel bearings went. So it took some time, fixed it, dropped some money on it, they worked fine. But now they're starting to act up again, and i'm thinking it's because of either romping around to much on them, or loading the car down so it has no suspension movement, then slaming into putholes and such.

So i was wondering if anyone knew of say.. a better wheel bearing than stock subaru? I haven't done any research, just wondering if anyone had any ideas, besides lifting it, because i already know that has to be done.

On a brighter note, the rack & pinion is back in, and i can turn! woohoo!

[Scottbaru]

There are a few brands of taper bearings, some people prefer Koyo over Timken, but they're not much different. More likely you need to check and re-torque your wheel nuts occasionally with harder use. Slightly loose wheel nuts can trash bearings pretty quick. Use a good synthetic grease (not moly), replace the bearings and races together.

[s'ko]

IIRK the Impreza wheel bearings were problematic. I have heard of people using Legacy wheel bearing.

 

you might want to do a check on I-club or some other Impreza sites.

[cookie]

They use ball bearings. The legacys are roller. Any time these are replaced they should use Legacy bearings. The problem is worse on Foresters as they are used to haul things a great deal.

[Andyjo]

They use ball bearings. The legacys are roller. Any time these are replaced they should use Legacy bearings. The problem is worse on Foresters as they are used to haul things a great deal.

 

Will the legacy bearings just pop in? or would i need to bust or the grinder and 'move' some material?

This is what i found on i-club

http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=999821#post999821

[cookie]

I think you will have to press them in or use what we used to call a bearing buddy. They are a press fit application if I recall. Hammering wheel bearings in can be done in an emergency, but the failure rate is much higher.The endwrench has an article on installing wheel bearings I think, and you should search the archives here. A number of folks have given notes on thier installation.

I have paid attention to this because my Forester has only been saved so far by the smooth roards here in CA. I was trying to decide to wether to change them as preventitive maintence last time I had it apart. This is something I know I will have problems with eventually because there is just not enough bearing in there.

[Scottbaru]

I have a variety of manual and hydraulic presses available at the shop, but I hammered my bearing races out and in on my Landcruiser rather than drive across town to press them in. It's perfectly acceptable, just not as easy. You normally only press the races in, not the bearing assembly, that should be a slip fit. I used a 3/4-drive socket that fit the race face well, and a big hammer. I'll probably do another set this weekend.

[cookie]

Than the usual race and bearing combo. I think they are going to be a sealed bearing race unit. As you know that means you won't actually have the hub seperate unless you take the assembly off the car. This means it would be a misery on the garage floor with a hammer.

I'll leave this to somebody who has actually done the job to clarify. So far I've been lucky enough not to have done mine.