So, I've got a 95 AWD wagon (ABS), with what appears to be a bad bearing
in the rear passenger side. All of the hub assemblies with the bearing
that I can find seem to be only for FWD models, or for AWD w/o ABS.

 

I can find the hub only, but not complete with the bearing for my model.

Do these assemblies exist, and if not, why? What's the difference in a

hub assembly for non-ABS? Is there a way I can use it on mine?

Is this something I'm just not going to be able to do DIY?

Any advice would help, here. I'm handier than I am mechanical. I do all the car

work I can by myself, with manuals and instructions, but I'm working
with hand tools only. Thanks.

ABS/non-ABS knuckles are the same - but the backing plates and hubs are different.  

 

should be lots of AWD with ABS available:

www.car-part.com

 

the rear hub has the ABS tone ring bolted to it and the backing plate has the mounting hole/bolt hole for the ABS sensor. 

so you need the ABS hub and backing plate.  

technically speaking you could use the ABS hub and ABS backing plate on a non-ABS knuckle but then you have to do a complete wheel bearing job. 

 

if you don't mind disabling ABS you can install a non-ABS unit and it'll just have no sensor and the ABS won't work and the brakes will work like normal brakes. 

AWD cars the bearing has to be pressed into the knuckle before the hub can be pressed into the bearing. It can't be pre-assembled, so you will never see them for sale that way.

 

FWD the knuckle has a spindle that the HBA just slips onto.

AWD no ABS is a generic hub they can be used on many different vehicles, so manufacturers can justify making them. AWD ABS hubs are specific to Subaru. They almost never need to be replaced, so most manufacturers don't produce them.

 

Those non-ABS hub and bearings are usually sold as a kit, hub and bearing, but not assembled because they have to be pressed in separately.

ABS/non-ABS knuckles are the same - but the backing plates and hubs are different.  

 

should be lots of AWD with ABS available:

www.car-part.com

 

the rear hub has the ABS tone ring bolted to it and the backing plate has the mounting hole/bolt hole for the ABS sensor. 

so you need the ABS hub and backing plate.  

technically speaking you could use the ABS hub and ABS backing plate on a non-ABS knuckle but then you have to do a complete wheel bearing job. 

 

if you don't mind disabling ABS you can install a non-ABS unit and it'll just have no sensor and the ABS won't work and the brakes will work like normal brakes. 

 

Would I have to disable the ABS entirely, or could I hypothetically just install a non-ABS hub on the one wheel and disconnect the sensor? Would that trigger the ABS light? Pardon my ignorance of the whole ABS system, I've never piddled with it.  I hate ABS anyway, really. 

AWD cars the bearing has to be pressed into the knuckle before the hub can be pressed into the bearing. It can't be pre-assembled, so you will never see them for sale that way.

 

FWD the knuckle has a spindle that the HBA just slips onto.

AWD no ABS is a generic hub they can be used on many different vehicles, so manufacturers can justify making them. AWD ABS hubs are specific to Subaru. They almost never need to be replaced, so most manufacturers don't produce them.

 

Those non-ABS hub and bearings are usually sold as a kit, hub and bearing, but not assembled because they have to be pressed in separately.

Thanks. That makes more sense, now. 

Now that I've got it pulled apart, I see what I'm dealing with. Phew...

 

Now that I've got it pulled apart, I see what I'm dealing with. Phew...

 

That's the front

That's the front

Right. Same deal with the back, though. I just pulled the pick from an article I found about the notoriously difficult bearing jobs.

http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/five-wheel-bearing-r-rs-that-have-a-bad-reputation/

Right. Same deal with the back, though. I just pulled the pick from an article I found about the notoriously difficult bearing jobs.

http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/five-wheel-bearing-r-rs-that-have-a-bad-reputation/

The rear is a lot harder, mainly because of the 1" bolt that's 6" long that is always rusty and hard to get out.

Would I have to disable the ABS entirely, or could I hypothetically just install a non-ABS hub on the one wheel and disconnect the sensor? Would that trigger the ABS light? Pardon my ignorance of the whole ABS system, I've never piddled with it.  I hate ABS anyway, really. 

If one sensor is out, the ABS light comes on. I have an issue with a sensor I can't deal with at the moment, and any time roads got really wet, ABS light would go out, but the ABS pump would pulsate the hell out of the brake pedal when coming to a stop, almost to the point of being dangerous as the car was taking longer to stop. 

 

I pulled the ABS fuse and that at least stopped it from acting up.

 

If you pulled the fuse and pulled the ABS bulb, brakes should work like normal, but be warned they can now lock-up the tires on hard braking, causing skidding. I know if you disable an air bag, and someone is injured or killed in the vehicle due the bag being disconnected, a good lawyer could sue you over it. Dunno if brakes are the same way or not, especially when non ABS was still an option. So just FYI in case you go skidding into a school bus or cop car, etc.