Hi All,

I need to get the drivers side wheel bearing replaced, as it is making a horrible noise when turning. I have spoken to Neil @ Slowboy Racing with regards to getting it done. However, now that I have got my MOT, I am thinking that I might attempt to do this myself, although I am aware that I need a press and I do not know how to diagnose whether or not the hub/carrier is damaged. The main reason I want to do it myself is to try and save a bit of money so that I can spend on upgrades & setup. I do want to take it to Slowboy for them to have a look at the rear, as it is very nervous in the wet, and ideally I would want a full tracking/alignment done, which I know that I cannot do myself.

So, main questions are : -

1) has anyone DIY'd a bearing replacement before?
2) where is the best/cheapest place to get a bearing?
3) is it worth doing both sides?

I have also noticed that on that drivers side (sounds the worse when driving) that there is a slight leak from the inner drive shaft boot and a bit of grease has escaped. Obviously I plan to get that sorted, but I was wondering that, as it looks recent, whether or not that has anything to do with my bearing noise?

Many thanks in advance guys

 

A bearing replacement isn't all that expensive to begin with mate even from a main dealer.
If you're looking to skimp on that I have to be brutally honest and say you may have bought the wrong car, sorry...

 

Thanks for the response and I hear what you are saying, but I got quoted £328 (£558 if the carrier had gone) from main dealer. Not sure what you call expensive but that isn't cheap to me lol

 

Might work out cheaper for you to buy a hub from matty in the breakers section. Pm him sure he will sort you out with a good hub

 

Good shout, hadn't considered that. Is it rare that bearings go then? Are they really that difficult to do, apart from the pressing out & in?

 

As said, get yourself a known good hub and get a new bearing put in. Shouldnt cost more than 20 quid to get pressed in. Then on the day you do the work, its there ready to go straight on , without you heving the hassle of trying to find another hub on a weekend. If the original hub is ok, sell it on to recoup some cash. Just my 2ps worth ,as its probably what id do

 

message matty in the full breaking thread explain what you after sure he will help, with these hubs you dont start to feel any play until you unbolt everything so if you buy a good hub just check now play and feels smooth,wheel bearing are pretty common to be honest,

 

Just noticed your reply re the CV joint.
I'd have the boot replaced as well otherwise you'll be wanting another drive shaft from Matty too.
Whilst £300 isn't a mega bill for a car in the scheme of things nowadays IMHO I would take it to a specialist who would probably charge more around the £200 or less mark.

Also - yes, bearings are very common to go on these cars.
I've had one go on my widetrack (had 65000 miles on it at the time) and had to do 2 on my old bugeye wrx.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, I will send matty a message and see what he says. It does make sense to get a known good hub, have a bearing put in that, and then fit that. At least that is something I can do. I would guess that would cost around £100 all in to get hub, bearing, bearing fitted etc.

Out of interest, I know when I got my calipers done, I got a refurbed and repainted set, and sent my old ones back. Is anyone aware of a similar service for hubs/bearings?

Don't get me wrong, if I won the lottery, it would be booked in next day for a whole host of goodies. I have a huge list of things I want to do, e.g a basic remap... so saving wherever I can always helps

 

I've had to have 2 bearings replaced on my bugeye wrx over the years . Cost about 140 quid each time. This was from a local garage I have used for many years. Not a Subaru specialist or dealer.