2000 2.5 RS bearings

[PrezzieBaby]

My rear-left bearing was replaced about a month ago. It was making this horrible noise, so I decided to have it looked at...and sure enough that was it.
I've driven my cars short distances since, but this weekend i drove to Palm Springs (150 miles), and I started hearing the noise again when I was driving on friday night!!!
I'm going to have it checked, for all I know it's the right one this time, but still...Iwas wondering if there was some sort of technical service bulletin out on it that I did'nt know about that someone here might have experienced.
Thanks
Sarah

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[HndaTch627]

i'm sure there is...seems quite a few people have gone thru bearings. How many miles do you have on your car?? I am trying to figure out when i should make sure i have non noisey tires on so i can listen for the bearing whine.

Jeremy

[Joncas]

Had my right rear replaced once at 15000 and now at 30,000. Go figure. I hope its done now.

Anyway - have them replace it with legacy bearings. There is a subaru tech bulletin about it somewhere. It should be your option to choose.

[PrezzieBaby]

When my first bearing got replace, I had about 12,000 miles on the car...now (about 300 miles later) I think I have the same problem...does anyone know if SD service centers just suck?
Sarah

[B. Foyle]

What kind of noise are you talking about exactly? I ask 'cause I have had lots of noise from around my rear tires and am not sure if it's the tires or not. I just installed new ones and the noise is still there, so I wonder.

[doobie]

I just had my right one done and am going back for my left one Friday. They said it was gonna be some $650.00 but I was able to get them done under warranty with 39,000 (a mistake on their part). Although I still have one to go the noise seemed to get louder since and my tire is beginning to get choppy on the front edges of the tread. I'll post again after the left one is done to see if the noise is gone, but I am concerned now with the increased noise.

Also, this doesn't inspire confidence on the front bearings either. Do the front bearings have the same set up as the rear?


I stole the claw

[GGB]

Just wondering have you guys lowered your car? Anyway I know that Subaru have some problem of leaking bearing grease in some legacy model. This might cause a premature bearing failure. Was there any grease leaking sign? or do you guy usually drive long period at highway speed?

[PrezzieBaby]

to doobie:
I was wondering that same thing about the front bearings. Everyone I talk to actually only talks about the rear bearing, which makes me wonder. And I suggest you start a case with subaru (call 1800 SUBARU3) talk to a rep and tell them your problem. Start a case number, that way they know it's a reoccuring problem...go to the post in SoCal club same title...and read the info that it has there about the bearings...someone posted a great link. Gives info about what you can do to fix it (if you really want to pay) and other people's complaints if you need proof.

to GGB: my car is not lowered...I know there are some other repercussions for doing that without necessary items (struts and sway bars etc) so that's not it. My car is nice and stock (hehe) the problem has to do with a faulty bearing and bad ass service...what can I say.
I'm trying to Subaru in culver city, hoping their workmanship is better. They guarantee that after replacing a part 3 times, anything to do with that part again is free...sounds good to me..but the hassle...grr
Sarah

[Geoff]

I've lost 10 on my Outback Sport, all done at 6 different dealerships. There is not, to my knowledge, an official Subaru Bulletin stating that Legacy wheel bearings are to be used now. An official bulletin stating that there's a known defect with the Impreza/Forester wheel bearing design would cost Subaru quite a bit of money; it's in their best interest to tell the dealers "unofficially" to use Legacy wheel bearings and pretend it's a non-issue.

I hoped that after my second bearing it'd stop. Now I'm used to maneuvering the car off the road. I even know some of the local wreckers; I'm skilled at driving my car up an inclined flatbed as well. When I drive my car over 150 miles, I anticipate a bearing failure.

[PrezzieBaby]

do you have to pay for the bearings? Have you confronted subaru about the lemon laws? If you haven't, i strongly recommend you call Subaru and start a case with them, get yourself a number and all so if you don't actually want a new car, or money back, then you can at least make sure you will never have to pay for the bearing.
The website is unofficial...you're right, but apparently Subaru of Canada is okay with. I know that doesn't help us in the US, but at least if you decide you're done with subaru and their warranty, you could permanently fix it...
10 bearings would throw me over the edge, that's for damn sure
Sarah

[Geoff]

Already litigating.

[PrezzieBaby]

cool,
if it's not too much to ask can you update me on how it goes...how to go about doing it...my email's PunqRock@aol.com
Sarah

[Geoff]

Depends on if SOA wants to settle with me or I have to have a court date set. If they choose to take it to court, and I have to get a judgment in my favor via trial, then I'll be glad to share all of the info. If we go into confidential settlement negotiations and reach a confidential agreement, you won't hear anything from me.

[PrezzieBaby]

kay, thanks...i'm crossing my fingers for ya
Sarah

[doobie]

Just got my other rear one done, all I hear now is the whine of the gears and revs of the engine!!

No I didn't have to pay at 40,000 but it was close they almost weren't gonna do it. Still waiting on info about the front though.


peeeaaase and good luck

[Kalins1]

What kind of noise were you all getting?

[PrezzieBaby]

okay, I got it fixed. and it was the left rear bearing again....that's 2!
uh oh, subaru better get its act together, that's total BS they're not fixing this defect. That bearing was on there less than a month, about 100 miles, before I had to get it replaced again. What are they thinking?!?!?
Sarah

[B. Foyle]

Well, took mine in today to the dealer to check and guess what? ..Yup, broken wheel bearing. They're fixing it as I write, supposedly.

For all those wondering what kind of noise it is: At earlier stages of the problem it sounded to me like tires were out of balance or alignment was off. Increased road noise, seemingly from the tires. True that my tires were in pretty bad condition at the time, but since the noise continued after I replaced them with brand new Dunlop SP5000s, I decided to take it in to dealer to inspect. The noise is audible even at around 30-40mph, virtually drowning my stereo at highway speeds (with all windows and sunroof closed). As the problem gets worse with time, the noise might become more metallic, sounding a bit more like bad rotors or break pads, but not quite the squealing sound of worn-out pads. Not grinding or knocking sound, but you can hear every turn of the wheels. May become more grinding-like as it gets worse. When the problem is bad enough you'll definately notice - the noise will be so loud that even driving the regular street speed of 35-40mph would be scary! Trust me - I know: My mother had that problem on her '99 Legacy a few months back and she lived with it for a few months.

[Kalins1]

Is the metallic noise constant? I have a metallic noise that sounds like it is coming from the front. It only does it when I have been using the brakes a lot in stop and go rush hour driving. I thought the rotors were warping especially when their is a groove forming in driver's side rotor. The metallic sound I'm getting sounds exactly the same as the squeak that you get when you apply your brakes and it is a rotational sound that changes as the wheel turns but disappears when you begin applying the brake.

Is that what you were hearing?

Sean

[B. Foyle]

Like I said earlier, metallic-like noise is only when the problem is really bad. Even then, it's still a more dull sound than the screeching of the breaks. What you're describing sounds more like something's wrong with your breaks. And yes, the sound of bad wheel bearing is constant, irregardless of break application, intensity dependent on the car speed (frequency of rotation of the wheels).

The good news is that I got mine fixed today and WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I can hear the engine, finally!

P.S. I am in no way a professional in this matter - I'm only trying to help out others by describing my personal (and my mother's) experience. Others' may vary.

[Kalins1]

Ha ha! Nice disclaimer!

You are the first person that has mentioned the metallic sound so that's why I was so interested. I've never had the "roaring tire" sound, but I keep getting paranoid hearing about all of the bad wheel bearings.

I wonder what percentage of Impreza bearings go bad!

Glad that yours was fixed!!

Sean

[PrezzieBaby]

your breaks....sounds like something I have too sometimes. I don't really think it has anything to do with your breaks being worn out or the bearings...definitely not the bearings, that sound does not sounds metallic really.
The thing with you breaks, does it usually happen when you're slowing down and not really pushing hard on the breaks? Try that next time, just push on the break harder and see if the noise disappears. It might also just be that since you're not applying the break really hard, the sound of the disk sliding might just be creating that metallic noise...just an idea.
Sarah

[vvk]

Mine failed after the warranty ran out. Had them replaced in May 2001. Cost me about $650, including alignment. It only takes about 2 hours, but they charge for 4 or 5 hours because that's what SOA pays. Tried to get them to reduce the price, no cigar.

Two month later, same problem. At first they told me it was my summer tires (Dunlop SP8000, 205/55-16). So I put on my winter all-seasons (Bridgestone RE930, 195/65-15, very quiet) the same day and the noise was still there. Made another apointment (another couple of hours wasted) and they agreed to replace the right side again, under parts warranty. OK. Noise gone.

Less than a month later noise returns, this time worse and seems to come from the left. Left bearing gone. They order the part. Sept 11 screws up delivery. About a month later the noise is so bad, I drive straight to the dealership on Saturday and leave the car over the weekend. On Monday they say that I now need a new wheel housing (the part bearing is pressed into) because it failed too. Another $150, please! I don't have time or energy to fight with them. It's clear that it's their fault but I bite the bullet and fork over the cash. By now I wish I had bought the special tools needed to replace the bearings and had done them myself right the first time. Left bearing replaced. No noise so far -- knock on wood!!! I am hopeful...

[Kalins1]

Sarah,
My noise happens when I completely take my foot of the brake and am coasting or slowly accelerating. It disappears when I am going fast and doesn't happen at all when I am not in stop and go traffic. If I don't use the brakes much the sound doesn't appear. However, it is VERY loud when it does appear and sounds exactly like the sound that your brakes make when you just start to apply them.

I've had the rear drums turned so its not them. Now, I'm going to replace the front rotors and/or the calipers.

Sean

[PrezzieBaby]

you have rear drum breaks?
Is it only newer Subarus that have all disc.
Yea, that doesn't sound like you need new breaks or something, sorry I didn't quite understand when you were getting the noise, but it's not a bearing, you're right.
Sarah