I thought I had a bad wheel bearing, so I dropped the car off at my mechanic... He calls me today and said he isn't sure what the noise is or where it's coming from but his money would be on the rear... I thought that sounded highly unlikely. I've never seen someone on here talking about issues with the rear!!! Any suggestions how to check it or has anyone had or heard of it going bad? I know it's a moving part so it is possible to go bad but I think there are too many other things first.... And as far as still thinking wheel bearing, the hub that I believe is the culprit gets hotter then the other side hub after driving. One is hot to the touch the other barely warm? Thanks

go to a proctoligist either that or one of your brakes are dragging,might have oil on it.

chances of it being a bad rear diff is really, really, low,

unless it ran out of gear oil.

 

have someone drive while you sit in the back

listen to see which side has a louder noise.

that is the bad wheel bearing.

Edited July 3, 201510 yr by johnceggleston

You may not have heard about it, but that prob cos the people on here know that wheel bearings go bad after a time & they need changing. It happens with every car.

And it's not the easiest job to go on the rear of the subie unfortunately...

rear differentials rarely fail in Subarus - it's probably a mis-diagnosis as often, or more, than an actual failed rear diff.

 

let's start with the basics...what lead you to believe it was a wheel bearing?

you  mentioned heat...

1. noises?

2. drivability?

It's a wheel bearing. I'm having a hell of a time with the ring nut tho.

It's a wheel bearing. I'm having a hell of a time with the ring nut tho.

Your going to probably have to heat it up with a torch, hit it, and spray it with penetrating oil.