Hi all, happy halloween!

 

Having been through bad bearings on my last sube, I'm fairly certain that the current sube is in need of new bearings. It's a 97 Legacy L Wgn, AWD, 133k/mi.

 

I have all the usual symptoms, whirring, scraping sound from the right rear wheel, that differs depending on which way I'm steering...but what really got my attention last night, and made be aware of the problem was a loud "clunk" from that wheel as well, it doesn't happen all the time, but enough, I actually first thought that I ran over something that bounced up to hit the underside of the car...I did a search for "bearing symptoms" and in one thread "Subarube" asked the poster if a clunking sound was heard, but that was never answered...

 

My questions are as follows...

 

Is the clunking brake related? I'm thinking brakes or parking brake on the wheel with the bad bearings...suggestions?

 

Dealership or aftermarket for the replacement bearings? If aftermarket, any thoughts on a particular brand/ source? Unfortunately, cash is an issue just now...but isn't it always?

 

Could i dare drive the car 12 or so miles to my mech? Or should I call AAA for a tow? I don't want to cause any additional damage...

 

As always, thanks for all input!

 

Cheers,

 

Jared

aftermarket bearings are fine for this car.

where in maryland? i'm in westminster, but work in greenbelt. if you were close i could look at it for you. might even be able to fix it for you much cheaper than a random shop. PM or email me.

 

you'll be fine driving it 12 miles. if damage is done, it's probably already done to the hub.

why would a bad bearing make a clunk sound? ed

the clunk could be his brake pads shifting around.

there is a lot of clearance where the ball have been destroyed. The axle rolls forward and then falls down with a clunk. this can be just before the bearing fails in a big way. Have you ever seen a wheel and axle assembly on the road? On American cars the axle is often retained by the bearing. I'm a bit tired from four 16 hour days so I can't even think how the subaru is set up.