I'd like to hear from someone with wheel bearing replacement experience in a WRX. I need to make sure I order all the parts I'll need (part #'s?) and that I'll have everything I need to get the job done right. A basic step-by-step guide or any pointers you could offer would be cool too. How about torque specs for the hub? I already have a small shop press on my list of things to buy.

 

Paranoia is the main reason for replacing them. The 02 WRX has 52,000 on the ODO. I use it heavily for autocross and rallycross. A friend with slightly less mileage just had one of his freeze up on him. He uses his car in the same manner that I do. In his case it destroyed the spindle (is that the right term?) too. I routinely check for play when I change wheels/tires (once a week). But in the latest issue of SCC they said that you won't feel much play and that it wasn't a good way to tell if the bearing was munched. I've also been having something akin to wandering issues on the highway. Almost like I'm fighting a mild crosswind but there's none there. I chalked it up to some slop in the linkage, or maybe a side-effect of my autocross alignment, but it didn't do this until recently. I figured I'd rather be safe than sorry and just replace the bearings. I mean if I have to take them apart for inspection, I might as well press in some new ones while I'm at it right?

 

typically you will hear some noise for a long time before a wheel bearing goes bad. Did your friend's car make any warning noises ?

what is it about the WRX that makes the tugging method not a good way to check bearing play ? lift the wheel off the ground, take off the caliper, grab the top and bottom and push/pull to see if there is any slop or "click" sound.

I'll be interested to see if someone comes up with a " how to". Maybe the bearings can be installed with a hammer and drift and not need a shop press ?

The wandering issues doesn't sound good, but could be a ball joint or other worn part.

 

Or you are just a little more sensitive to this now and just noticed the car drifting. My car has always done this on the freeway, it follows the ruts in the road from the wider semi's. Side to side, side to side. I usually have to drive off center or I will become a human bobble head.

 

Either way I think we could all benefit from a how-to on replacing wheel bearings. For all the trouble it takes to get around using a shop press, the small ones really aren't that expensive (less than $100 ususally). And if you're always working on something in the garage like I am, it's a good investment to get the right tool for the job. I just want to make sure that I have everything I need so that the car doesn't sit for a week in the garage waiting for parts.