aartod Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 My 90' legacy has been making quite a bit if noise from the rear end of the car lately... It has been making a low pitched growling noise (rar-rar-rar-rar) that increases with speed. I figured it must be a wheel bearing so I jacked it up tried to feel for any slop or play in the bearings but everything seems tight and smooth... So I checked the rear diff and the gear oil was clean and didnt smell burnt and I topped it off. The center support bearing seemed fine as far as a visual inspection goes. Could it be the rear cv joints? I have never had experience with rear ones - only fronts and its obvious when they go bad! Let me know if you have and suggestions or things for me to check and your subaru guru insights! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Wheel bearing. These will make noise for thousands of miles before there is any play in the bearing. If you pull the axle out of the hub and spin it you will feel the grinding of the bad rollers. You may be able to spin the wheel fast enough to hear the bearing make noise if you listen to the knuckle with a mechanics stethoscope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aartod Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Thanks, so I was reading in my manual, and it appears as if I have to have the bearings pressed off and new ones pressed on--- is this true or are there any special tricks to do this at home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 It can be done at home with a hub tamer kit, and a bearing splitter or large 3 jaw gear puller. Some people just go to a junkyard and get a whole knuckle with bearing and hub and swap it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 aartod - an option might be to pull the knuckles yourself, take them to the dealership or other shop to have the bearings swapped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aartod Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Also, will the axle slide out of the hub easily or does it need to be pounded on or require any special tools? I ordered a new bearing and want to make sure I don't run into any surprises! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aartod Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Ahhh, I haven't hit the "buy" button just yet on the bearing... Maybe the junk yard will save me money and time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Sometimes you actually need a hub puller to push the axle out with, but most of the time a couple good hits with a hammer will pop it loose so you can slide it out of the hub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aartod Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Okay, there is no need to disconnect the shaft from the diff is there? Will the pounding on the shaft damage anything in the diff or the cv shafts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 (edited) Okay, there is no need to disconnect the shaft from the diff is there? Will the pounding on the shaft damage anything in the diff or the cv shafts? since the suspension is at max travel and/or you have the knuckle loose, any 'inward' force should just slide the tripod joint a little further inward. It won't be bottomed out and almost no force will be trasferred to the diff. Edited July 30, 2013 by 1 Lucky Texan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aartod Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Good deal... Sound like I know what I'm doing this weekend! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 (edited) On that Impala, I started with a hammer on the turned-around axled nut after usimng some PB Blaster. I eventually had to rent a huge gear-type puller to use on the hub and use the torch AND use the impact on the puller AND hammer on the puller. It was crazy stuck. (the first puller I had under the lug nuts, a lug nut stripped and shot around the garage and either it or the breaker bar handle hit me on the thumb - lucky I was'nt severely injured. had to buy lug nuts.. it can be frustrating working on cars) hope yours is easier. The 2 Subarus I've done, I just pushed the axle out with my thumbs! you might look around youtube for some videos. Edited July 30, 2013 by 1 Lucky Texan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aartod Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 So, I just called my local junk yard and they only want $25 for a hub assembly.... Sounds like a deal to me. Does anyone have a quick list of tools I need to do this at a junk yard?- besides a big freakin hammer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aartod Posted August 3, 2013 Author Share Posted August 3, 2013 Well, I just removed my whole rear knuckle.... It went smooth and easy and the axle came out quick. The bearings are totally toast. I am thankful for being in a road salt free state! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted August 4, 2013 Share Posted August 4, 2013 Yeah once that axle is out and you can free spin the bearing you see just how bad the bearing really is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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