thebrainsurgeon

Got a 99 Impreza. How easy is it to change the front wheel bearing? My front wheel is screaming, just had the brakes checked nothing wrong there, been told its the bearing that is gone. I've changed them before in other cars, just wondering if its similar to other cars, and if anyone knows where to get a manual for the impreza can you tell me where?

Thanx

KenS55STI

I've had one done and it took the drive flange with it so that also had to be replaced. You can buy a ready assembled flange and bearing kit, they are about £200. 2.5 hours labour, I paid for it to be done. There are 2 different flanges depending on MY and if ABS fitted or not so you need to get the right one. Think i need to have another one done now !!

speedracer

Ok, thanks. Gives me a better idea! Fingers crossed its just the bearing! Just out of interest did yours make a lot of noise? Mine isn't making any normal worn bearing rumble at all. Just a strange squeak. Theres a bit of leaked grease around the hub though, so am guessing one of the seals has gone, thought it best to replace sooner rather than later.

KenS55STI

Mine was creaking at first so I didn't think it was the wheel bearing, sounded a bit like an old wooden ship on the sea, and generally only made a noise from starting off / stopping so I thought it was maybe the brake pads on the disks. Then it started making a noise all the time, sounded like something had been caught on a driveshaft and was catching underneath as it went round. With there being nothing obvious I got some specialist advice.

Apparently the noise they make varies, and they can potentially make around 5 or 6 different noises, including the usual droning / dry bearing sound that increases with speed and the creaking noise.

My bearing was well gone, it looked burnt as if it had overheated, and the drive flange had a deep score in it.

I don't know how difficult it is to do the work yourself or if any special tools are needed. I think you should be able to get a haynes manual from a motor factors and you may even get an oem equivalent bearing for less money. Can't imagine there being much difference between models in the actual work needed, although you do need to make sure you get the correct drive flange if it needs one. You really need the manual before attempting this, you at least need the torque settings from it. If you haven't got the manual or a torque wrench or a way of checking the geometry then it's probably cheaper and quicker to just pay for someone to do it.