Mitchy Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 (edited) When I fitted my strut spacers, I noticed that the bearings (Koyo 6302) on the front struts were ‘open’ (ie no shield on one side and fairly dry. I re-greased them, and reinstalled the strut assembly, pending a further strip down when I finally replace struts/spacers with Legacy outback struts The top-hats themselves look & feel fine, and barely any rust at all. Having checked prices of new top hats of decent quality, I opted for buying just the bearings, at considerably less cost. Now I am wondering if they are a simple press-out press-in job to replace. Anyone know? thanks Edited November 2, 2019 by Mitchy Photo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Svengouli7 Posted November 2, 2019 Share Posted November 2, 2019 There's quite a bit of metal you'll need to remove to press them out. Once replaced you'll have to figure out how you want to secure them in- some of that metal might be able to be retained and peened back over I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosens Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 Maybe bake it ? Electro-heat it ? Some freeze blast from a can on the bearing and hopefully it drops out and you tuck the new one in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted November 3, 2019 Share Posted November 3, 2019 it is far easier to just replace the top hat - KYB makes these in addition to struts for Subarus and they are a great fit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchy Posted November 3, 2019 Author Share Posted November 3, 2019 3 hours ago, heartless said: it is far easier to just replace the top hat - KYB makes these in addition to struts for Subarus and they are a great fit. -without a doubt, but I hate tossing decent oem stuff away. The new strut I have are indeed KYB. Obviously it cannot be pressed out upwards ( as in my photo), -I can’t remember how the mounts look from underneath, can’t one just press the bearing out (ie: downwards in the photo)? Maybe someone a picture of a strut mount from below..... Mine are mounted on the car now. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Metal retainer on the bottom. Lots of grinding and then you'd have to weld a retainer back in to keep the bearing from coming out. Pulled an 07 Forester struts off yesterday and checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchy Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 On 11/20/2019 at 12:16 PM, lmdew said: Metal retainer on the bottom. Lots of grinding and then you'd have to weld a retainer back in to keep the bearing from coming out. Pulled an 07 Forester struts off yesterday and checked. Oh Balls tx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchy Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 Do you have a pic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Looks the same as your top picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 I'm sure they press the bearing in and then bond the top and bottom half with the rubber/or whatever material it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchy Posted November 24, 2019 Author Share Posted November 24, 2019 OK thanks , I’ll be pulling out the suspension soon as I now have the new struts sitting on the bench.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 as long as the bearing moves smoothly, it will be fine for a while longer. if it is notchy, or grinding at all, the top hat should be replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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