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Old 02-27-2007, 12:25 AM   #1
dbrunner
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Default Is it a wheel bearing?

Been noticing a strange noise lately on my '02 WRX with 90k miles.

It's a whining noise that starts lower pitch and gets higher pitch the harder/faster I turn. I seem to only notice it when turning left, and for some reason only when my car is cold. When at normal operating temperature it's nearly impossible to duplicate the sound.

When I first heard it, I instantly thought "Oh noes my turbo is going to blow" (I was revving it too high for how cold the engine was), but it only happens when turning left... which left me thinking a wheel bearing or something. What do you guys think?
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Old 02-27-2007, 08:16 PM   #2
nsmsam
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have you jack up the car, waggle the wheel to see if there is play?
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Old 02-28-2007, 07:18 AM   #3
ImprezaVA
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Default Wheel Bearing

Many have been in your shoes. The famous "whirring" sound, I like to compare it to knobby tires, is probably a wheel bearing.

Mine was more noticeable under right turns, which would put more pressure on the left side of the car. Since your sound is more noticeable with left turns, I'd check the right rear and right front. Jack the car up and grab the tire at the top & bottom, wiggle in and out, and see if there is any play. Grab the tire at the left & right and do the same. If you notice any sloppy play, the wheel bearing is toast... or your lug nuts are loose . For me, it was 3 seals, a bearing, and around $100. That is if you do-it-yourself. The old bearing will have to be pressed out and the new pressed in. Good luck.

-Charles-
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Old 02-28-2007, 11:37 AM   #4
Beanboy
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Not sure the differences in styles between Subaru models and wheel bearings, but it seems that on the newer Legacy, there really isn't any free play in the bearing (with or without axle nut off) using the traditional grab tire and yank method, even if it is giving off the "truck tire on highway noise" bad bearing noise.
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Old 02-28-2007, 12:03 PM   #5
Aaron'z 2.5RS
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If it is in fact a bad wheel bearing, you will hear it all the time... It can get REAL bad to, before you have to do something with it... I live in a area with 60***37; dirt roads and mine got REAL bad before i replaced it...

It's not an overly difficult job for DIY, but you have to have access to an at least 10ton press, there are tourtorials about on it...

But if your not hearing it all the time, i would look elsewere, unless it's just starting to go, it's a progressive failure thing...

I've seen them bad enough on my buddies VW to be able to see the rear wheel wobble going down the road... that was BAD
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Old 03-01-2007, 10:56 AM   #6
vansamirin
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I had a rear wheel bearing go out this past summer. If you had a wheel bearing problem you would know it. Mine was so bad it was like a deafening roar when I was going from 45-65. After 65 though, it was quiet, apparently whatever was making the noise centered itself.

My car makes another whining noise at ~40, my mechanic says its a pinion bearing, and not to worry about it. Its been doing that for 5 years, and hasnt been any trouble. Maybe you should check into that.
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Old 03-04-2007, 09:19 PM   #7
ImprezaVA
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Default Wheel Bearing

Quote:
If it is in fact a bad wheel bearing, you will hear it all the time...
In my case, or in the intial stage, it only whined during hard corning. The next day it whined all the time. Regardless, if the bearing is whining, it needs to be replaced ASAP.

-Charles-
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Old 03-05-2007, 09:08 AM   #8
rkramer
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grabbing the wheel and moving it side to side isn't useful for wheel bearings by itself. if you have bad bearings you should be able to wiggle it from ANY direction. side to side only indicates bad tie rod ends. I don't think suby's eat ball joints much though, my previous car averaged about 50k miles per set of joints!
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Old 03-05-2007, 09:06 PM   #9
dbrunner
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I still haven't checked it out further, thanks for all the replies though. The noise pretty much goes away after a couple left hand turns so to me this hasn't really been that urgent of a thing to fix. Tomorrow is going to be a slow day at work so I'll put my car on the lift and see whats up.

Like some have said, could be a problem progessing and I should definitely get it looked at before anything serious happens. I'll let you guys know what I find out
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Old 03-15-2007, 09:39 PM   #10
drewzter
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Default Wheel Bearing

My wheel did wobble. Took it to dealer. Tech said the Front bearings were shot and he might have to also replace one of the hubs. Can someone tell me how the hub would wear out. It's like a 400 dollar part. I trust my service dept but I am curious as to how a hub wears out. Is it possible the tech just does not want to mess with a press?
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Old 03-15-2007, 09:43 PM   #11
Subie Gal
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hub wears out if the bearing "spins" (moves) within it....

in other words, you drove too long on the bad bearing

it "spun"/worn on the hub.

hub will no longer secure a new bearing properly

if you dont replace the hub, you will have the same issue over and over.

Jamie
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Old 03-16-2007, 07:24 AM   #12
drewzter
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Default Thanks

Quote:
Originally Posted by Subie Gal View Post
hub wears out if the bearing "spins" (moves) within it....

in other words, you drove too long on the bad bearing

it "spun"/worn on the hub.

hub will no longer secure a new bearing properly

if you dont replace the hub, you will have the same issue over and over.

Jamie
Thanks Jamie. And BTW, I got my Pod in the mail from you today. Thanks again. The car is in the shop now so I will have to wait til to morrow to mount my new gauge.

Also BTW, the wheel bearing never made any noise, or at least it was very faint. The first real notice the car gave me was bad brake piston knockback from the Flex in the hub. I jacked up car and felt the wobble. I have a loaner today, OB. I am going to have to listen very closely or check wheel bearing about every 30 K.

Last edited by drewzter; 03-16-2007 at 07:49 AM.
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Old 03-16-2007, 06:36 PM   #13
ImprezaVA
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Default Bearing Replacement Cost

A new hub, bearing, seals, and labor at the dealer will cost you $500 after taxes.

-Charles-
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Old 03-16-2007, 09:35 PM   #14
drewzter
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Default Yep

Quote:
Originally Posted by ImprezaVA View Post
A new hub, bearing, seals, and labor at the dealer will cost you $500 after taxes.

-Charles-
That's about what I forked over this afternoon. But I got my car back.
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Old 03-16-2007, 10:14 PM   #15
Tim Sanderson
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If your the sort of person that does the math on your gas mileage you'll notice a drop in mileage as the wheel bearing is failing. You can also feel the car decel off throttle just a bit more quickly with a failing wheel bearing.

At least that's been my experience.
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Old 06-06-2007, 11:34 PM   #16
txl146
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I hear this grinding noise from rear suspension area while cruising with foot off the gas pedal. No popping or weird noise is heard when making L/R turns. Can this be failing wheel bearing? I've replaced front hub assembly on my Miata and wish it's that easy for WRX.
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