I've read quite a bit of conflicting information about the rear wheel bearing problems with late 90's early 2000's Subarus. My problem was on a 2000 Forester, right side rear, 147K miles. I purchased aftermarket bearings from NAPA, Part# SKF GRW175.

 

Upon receiving these, the first thing I noticed, was that there was no visible grease in the rollers, so I opened the assembly, and found a very small amount of a clearish yellow grease that was about the consistency of Vaseline. When I asked the guy at NAPA about it, he said they were pre-lubricated with the correct amount of grease, and I should put them in as they are.

 

I don't think so. The grease in the assembly did not look like any quality bearing grease I ever used, and the bearings were not properly packed. In fact, they weren't packed at all. I blew the grease out of the bearings and practically nothing came out. I cleaned out the Vaseline with brake parts cleaner and compressed air (careful) and properly packed the bearings with Moly-Graph grease.

 

Another aspect of this job that I haven't gotten to yet is how to set the clearance. In the old days, you would take the opposing tapered roller bearings carefully to zero end play with the adjusting nut, then back it off to provide a small amount of end play. if you press the assembly together, there cold end play should be correct, but does anyone out there ever verify this? If so, does anyone have a method of doing it?

 

I read about folks having multiple failures of these bearings after installing aftermarket parts, and even OEM bearings. The items I addressed above may be contributing to this high incidence of failure. Having gone through the lateral link bolt removal hell, I never want to do this job again.

 

 

The bearing will seat as you torque the axle nut. This is entirely different from a spindle bearing as you described. Unless you were working on a pre-96 FWD model. Bearing failures can be attibuted to poor axle nut torque, or bad seals.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a set of sealed bearings.

No more packing, no more nothing.

Just bang in and call it a day.

 

Same price as the puppies you picked up from NAPA, give or take a buck.

Not sure what shipping'll be to Nebraska.

 

It is my highest, recommendation.

 

http://www.mcguirebearing.com/

Great for old school EA81 and EA82 radial ball bearings.

 

But EJ bearings it's best to get good, japanese tappered roller replacements.

 

Pack them with good grease before install....the packing grease is barely vaseline and just there to keep them from rusting on the shelf.

Thanks for the input from all. Feel bad for the folks who have gone through this not knowing the issues. You all take good care.

 

B

The factory grease in my factory replacement bearings for my '03 looked like vaseline, and there was not a lot of it.

The replacement has already lasted longer than the original.

 

It's not always easy to tell how much grease or how good it is by looking at it.

 

I think one reason forester rear bearings go is it's easy for water to get directed right at the seal- that's what it looked like when I replaced one of my wife's rear bearings on her '05.

Edited November 1, 201312 yr by CNY_Dave

CNY_Dave, thanks for the response. But I have to tell you, after what I went through with the lateral link bolt, no way am i ever doing this job again. If I don't see grease between the rollers, as far as I'm concerned, the bearing isn't greased. And, I'll take the moly-graphite stuff any day, because it is a time proven performer.

I would not have been so willing to trust the grease had it been from NAPA...