October 15, 20223 yr 99 Outback needs front wheel bearing replaced. Is a press needed to do this job? If so, better to buy hub assembly with bearing installed?
October 16, 20223 yr I've read that a 'hub tamer' type tool, for use on the car, is often preferred. Maybe rent-able?
October 16, 20223 yr Definitely need a press of some sort. Those ones that use a threaded rod are good too, especially if you’re doing the work with the hub in the car (you need to remove the drive shaft first!). You’ll probably need a hub puller too. If using a press you can remove the hub from the knuckle then the bearing. Make sure you don’t scrape/gouge the chromed shaft piece of the wheel hub that the outer bearing lives on. I learned that the hard way by using a bearing pulling device that was too small for the diametre of the chromed shaft… I’ll know for next time! Cheers Bennie
October 16, 20223 yr Quote Good used hub from a rust free area. www.car-part.com is a good search engine.
October 17, 20223 yr On 10/15/2022 at 5:57 PM, Rooster2 said: 99 Outback needs front wheel bearing replaced. Is a press needed to do this job? If so, better to buy hub assembly with bearing installed? Yes need a hub tamer. Oddly - didn’t I buy a hub tamer from you like 5-10 years ago?! I thought you used to have one? You can use a press but carefully. Id get Subaru bearings and wheel seals or score a used knuckle. Order a nice clean rust free used one from south or west.
October 23, 20223 yr Author Yep, think I sold a hub tamer to you over 10 years ago. Getting too old to remember if bearing needs pressed in or not. Thanks to all for the advise. Rooster2
October 23, 20223 yr 11 hours ago, Rooster2 said: Yep, think I sold a hub tamer to you over 10 years ago. Getting too old to remember if bearing needs pressed in or not. Thanks to all for the advise. Rooster2 Ha! I thought so. That’s great. That was me, though I changed my username since then so it may be less recognizable. Some auto parts stores will rent for free or loan tools out and may have it if you want to DIY. That kit is too awkward and heavy to pack and ship and then ship back for a one time use or Id suggest you borrow mine.
October 23, 20223 yr I had that several times; it gets expensive so if you can do a diy solution that holds you are ahead of the game. If the bearing has damaged the hub then the problem can just re-emerge, and I ended up getting the whole knuckles at the junkyard for installation.
October 28, 20223 yr On 10/16/2022 at 5:37 AM, lmdew said: Rusted hubs from the northeast are about worthless. Especially on older cars. www.car-part.com
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