I got everything off on the outside and I am down to the spline going through the bearing.

If I drive the pin out on the inside of the axel assembly can I slip the axel back in the direction of the differential so I can get to the inner bearing. Does anyone know of any place on the web with some step by step directions on how to remove and replace rear wheel bearing on an 89 Subaru 4 wheel drive GL? I have looked through the threads here; but I may have missed something.

I know just enough about mechanics to get myself in trouble and even less about running a computer.

Should there be any play in rear wheel with 100,000 mile on it ?

 

Does the dust cover come off ? Mine seems to be stuck on.

 

Could I have messed up my differential ? I should have changed the bearings long ago.

Thanks, this a great website with great people on it.

Short answer is no. To remove the stubby splined shaft, have to remove that nut on the backside of the knuckle. Right way requires something called a pin socket. Or if you are good with a hammer and punch, you can loosen it that way.

Photo attached, hopefully.

 

Photo of the stubby shaft with bearing. Left side shows that nut that needs removed and what a pin socket looks like.

The first few I did with a hammer and a punch. Just make sure the dress up the area that you mangle with the punch before you put the ring nut back on.

 

Sometimes the bearings will be stuck to the stub shaft and other times they will not. Just depends on the condition. I typically will try to knock the stub shaft out before I remove the ring nut to try and avoid having the bearings stuck to the shaft.

 

GD

Thanks to everyone for the help. Things are looking up.

abcus

sometimes buying a used entire rear hub assembly can be cheaper and simpler.

Can anyone say Junk Yard? I am sure a pull a part will give you an open diff for cheap, hell someone on this board might just want to give one away, you never know!