i need to replace the driver side rear wheel bearing on my 95 impreza L AWD 1.8. wanted to know how to do this, and are there special tools i need to do it?

You need a press to press out the bearing. Unless you have the special tools to do it, I'd recommend just removing the knuckle from the car, take it to a shop, have them press out the old bearing, and press in the new one. That way, it'll save you some money on labor. I'd also provide them with the bearing.

 

I believe a lot of the imprezas are now using the legacy rear bearing because it's better. Other thing to note is the grease that it's shipped in is packing grease only. They need to be packed with good wheel bearing grease.

 

If you search, I'm sure you'll find some additional info.

if you're looking to keep the car awhile, pull both hubs (or all 4) and have them all done at the same time.

 

if you're not, consider a used knuckle then you can do all the work yourself. swap in a used (newest, lowest miles you can find) and you're done. they can be found for very cheap as well.....35 dollars at most. buying bearings and having them pressed in may cost up to $100. shop charged me $100 to install new bearings/seals in two front XT6 hubs, but it can be done cheaper.

 

i'll be in canton, OH in a few weeks and i'll have some 97 or 98 impreza hubs to sell if youre interested.

How much do bearing varie from car to car?

 

In school we replaced a set(just for learning purposes) on a rear axle which I believe was from an older saturn.

 

All we needed was a set of open ended and ratchet wrenches, a pipe wrench(big rump roast plyers), and some WD-40.

 

Note: If the setup was like the one on the car we did once you tighten down the spindle nut pull it back a quarter turn or the bearings will fry.

Quite a bit these days. In the old days nearly all vehicles used the same systems but now there is alot of variation. At least on Subarus you can replace them with new bearings but they should be pressed in or use a bearing buddy. On my BMW you throw away the whole hub and the new ones come with bearing all in them. Don't ask the price.

In school we replaced a set(just for learning purposes) on a rear axle which I believe was from an older saturn.

 

like just mentioned, lots of variations. his subaru is AWD, i'm guessing the saturn was just FWD, that can make a huge difference right there.