I've got a '98 Legacy and I'm strongly suspicious that the bearings in the front wheels are going-going-gone! I'm hearing grinding noises frome the wheels at pretty much all speeds. It used to be subtle, but it's getting louder and louder.

Before I drop the $550 needed to replace them, I want to check here to see if there is a way to verify if it IS the bearings and if so, does the bearing damage extend to the actual hub, or do just the bearings themselves wear out.

Any added info would also help.

thanks,

-S

*crickets*

okay. Here's another question.

I've got some hubs that came with my 4pot brakes when I bought them and I'm thinking that instead of paying $550 to replace my bearings, maybe I could just swap the hubs from my stock Legacy hubs to whatever the hubs were that came with the brakes (off some JDM Impreza STi). Anyone know if the hubs are compatable?

(I won't hold my breath ;) )

I had a suspicion of one of my bearings going on an old car, so I found a deserted road and did some slaloming. Noise came and went as I loaded & unloaded the bearing. Maybe for both going the noise will move from one side to the other.

Tom

yeah, it definitley gets worse when I'm swerving, cornering, or weaving.

It's the bearings for sure. *sigh*

Best way to determine is with dial indicator (which I used to have until all my tools were stolen, but that is another story).

Either way, jack up each wheel so it it no on the ground. In the case of the fronts lock the steering wheel. Now grab the tire at the top and bottom (12 & 6 o'clock positions), and push with one hand, and pull with the other (like you are trying to pop the top off of a bottle). There should be a little (and I mean like 1/16" of play) because wheel bearings are not supposed to be clamped all the way down. Repeat this process holding the at 9 & 3 o'clock positions on the wheel. Another test is to push and pull with both hands.

This is a very crude test, but can identify a serious problem. The only variable in all of this is that it also includes any wear that is present in the ball joints and suspension bushings. But with about 6 years on the car, it really is starting to be about time to replace wheel bearings, especially if you have over 100,000 miles. The new bearings will help with gas mileage and tire wear, so there this cost offset to the cost of replacement.