Hey everyone. I think it's been forever & then some since I've been on here. I've got a really big problem and could use some insight.

On my driver side front wheel ('02 wrx sedan), I've been having some issues.

It started out by sounding like the rotor was rubbing against the brake pad at one spot. My axis pads were close to being worn out at that time, so it quickly went from pad to metal on metal......

No big deal. I swapped rotors & got some OEM replacement pads to get me through for a bit (got out of the Navy...low on cash now!

So...about a week into having the new pads & rotors on, I notice the noise starting up again. This time it's a little worse, but I have brand new pads & rotors on.

Well, the noise has gotten horrible. So horrible, that I'm pretty sure my bearing is shot. I can feel the wheel wobble when I moved it into my "driveway" the other day...and I didn't even hit the gas to get up there. I pulled the wheel and caliper off, and did the 12-6 oclock test pushing / pulling on the rotor...the entire assembly moves about 2 inches.

I could really use some suggestions on what to do.

I found a nice tutorial on NASIOC, but there's no way I'm going to be able to get the bearing out & press it back in. Should I just get the assembly out and take it to a machine shop?

I called Servco, and they're supposed to call me back soon. They don't want to do it unless they start from the beginning, which means I'll have to put it back together, tow the car there, THEN have it fixed.....I'd much rather have a way at fixing this without going through all of that.

Suggestions? Is the bearing the only thing that could even be causing thing?

Thanks advance to anyone that can help!

 

Sounds like a bad wheel bearing. Do you have the tools to get the axle nut out? That seems to be the toughest part of the repair. 2 inches of play sounds pretty nasty. Good luck, Jason.

 

Yeah, I think I can get it out. I haven't gone that far with it yet, as I'm still trying to find a place to press the bearing for me.

I called Ted's Machine Shop, they couldn't guarantee when they could schedule it in or how long it would take.

I think another place I called was "Moo's" Machine shop - $90 an hour with no set time on how many hours it could take.

Next up was Servco Subaru. They want me to bring the entire car in to start from square one, instead of me taking it off of the car and bringing it in. I understand the reason why & didn't argue, but I need to find out how much that will cost.....PLUS the towing to get the car there....ouch.

Still open to suggestions. I wish I knew how to do this one myself. It looks like it's going to be a pricey fix!

 

sound like the wheel bearing. mine went out a few months back. the shop will need a special tool to press the new one in so this is something you may want the dealer to do or a shop you trust.

 

hope this helps. didn't read all of it but seems like what you need. your still gonna need a place to press the bearing but at least you have instructions. L8R

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/sho...=wheel+bearing

 

You could probably buy a press cheaper than the stealership is gonna charge you..Don't you still know guys in the Navy if your still on island go the the hobby shop with a buddy and press it out/in yourself I've did it before and if I can do it so can you.

 

Still lurking just like me. silver satin is right, use the local resources. silver satin, thanks for the help, I believe I owe you a beer or two.

San

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. I hadn't checked back here in a couple of days, as I found "Guru's" tutorial and started hacking at this myself.

I just finished everything up this afternoon, with some minor hiccups along the way, but nothing big.

I found the bearing in stock at NAPA, but I wasn't really comfortable with pressing the bearing myself. I've never done it, and I've been working 10-12 hour days at the new job, so the timing of everything was killing me.

I got the bearing pressed at Midas on waialae for 70 bux. When they opened it up, they found I needed a new spindle as well, so I got that from Servo & brought it down. The bearing was TRASHED....absolutely fried. Kinda cool to see that!

Hopefully I can find the time to hang out over here a little more. Good to see some of the old timers (guys that were old timers when I joined up, even!) are still around here lending a hand!

 

I'll be buying a second vehicle soon, so I can work on my WRX. I'm guessing my bearings are less than optimal. I believe I read that there is a different bearing that's more durable. You might want to do a search. I know as soon as I have a second vehicle I'll be doing the same. There's a good write-up on NASIOC, but you'll need some tools. Personally, as I don't plan on changing wheel bearings on a consistent basis, having someone else do it makes sense (and they're experienced). On a side note, something I learned from racing mountain bikes was to utilize boat trailer grease. It's cheap and is basically waterproof, or as close as you can get.

San

 

Hehe...Good call on the grease!

If you have any submarine friends, see if they can get you some "turbuline"....salt-water proof grease that they use on tons of different parts on the boats.

I thought about it, but didn't have the time to get in touch with someone. It's probably not a bad idea out here, though!