Need wheel bearing info....

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by Trey, Aug 22, 2009.

  1. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    Sounds like my driver side front wheel bearing is dieing.

    I don't plan on swapping in 05 hubs so no need to suggest that. ;)


    What I do need is part numbers for my 04 STi.

    I can turn a wrench so if swaping the bearing is pretty straight forward, I would like to give it a go.

    Do I need a press? Can the bearing come out without a press?



    Looking for advice from someone that has already done this.

    Thanks,
     
  2. oneiguy

    oneiguy Active Member

    i believe that you need a press. breel has one
     
  3. Matt

    Matt Think before you post Staff Member Supporting Member

    you will need a press for the bearing. I'm thinking that the 04 bearing will be the same for both wrx and STi.

    dealership is 3 hours labor. I know cuz I just paid for it this morning. :unamused:
     
  4. Trey

    Trey Active Member



    3 hrs per side? :eek:hnoes:

    I can get a large bearing serparator for $20 and a 6 ton press for $80 from harbor freight.
     
  5. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    Wonder what they would charge if I took the knuckles to them?
     
  6. Matt

    Matt Think before you post Staff Member Supporting Member

    but, you want to get it done sooner than later...I have to replace the hub now...and mine just started making noise on Monday!

    :unamused: x 3
     
  7. integroid

    integroid Supporting Member

    Trey, the 6 ton press probably won't work...I would at least get teh 12 ton or the 20 ton press.

    I have 20% off coupon for this weekend at Harbor Freight if you need one.
     
  8. Matt

    Matt Think before you post Staff Member Supporting Member

    yeah...SoK is doing my car right now....they have a 25 ton press...
     
  9. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    So is it 3 hrs per side or for both sides? Mine has been making noise for a while...not very loud. lately its getting louder. :\
     
  10. pEd

    pEd This ain't no Piccadilly!

    I've got a press (thanks to 420) that will work, so if you want to diy bring it over.
     
  11. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    Thanks pEd! I need to figure out what all I need to buy then I'll remove the knuckles and give you a ring/ PM.
     
  12. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    Anyone have part numbers for the 04 STi? All I can find online is for the 05.
     
  13. integroid

    integroid Supporting Member

  14. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    Thanks, so that is the bearing. I'm thinking I need the dust covers, spring clip and axle nut too. Do I need the Hub? Is that also called the knuckle?

    See these parts:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  15. integroid

    integroid Supporting Member

    Trey, I am not 100% sure but I think the dust coverx and spring come with it. You can usually re-use the axle nut. At least that is what King told me to do when I had to change my CV boot.
     
  16. Matt

    Matt Think before you post Staff Member Supporting Member

    dust covers(oil seal) do not come with it, however, I'm pretty sure the spring clip does. Subaru recommends replacing the axle nut, but is not always necessary.

    part numbers from my invoice yesterday:

    28016AA011NT - BEARING ASSEMBLY
    28015AA080 - OIL SEAL
    28015AA070 - OIL SEAL

    That's all I was charged for. Keep in mind, this could very well be for an RS, and not WRX/STi.

    according to subarupartspro.com, the bearing assembly is the same from 95-05, excluding SVX.

    They sell the bearing for 57.18 per side, minus the other parts. That's some leverage for you for wherever you go. ;)
     
  17. Jake

    Jake Active Member


    so it wasnt your coilover and was indeed the bearing??
     
  18. Matt

    Matt Think before you post Staff Member Supporting Member

    correct

    as soon as king released the axle nut, the hub practically fell off.

    :unamused:

    I've had 3 bearings go bad before and they never once sounded like this, or went this quickly.
     
  19. Jake

    Jake Active Member

    all the more reason for everyone else to be proactive and get them fixed as soon as they start making noise.

    i think Jason's replaced the same one 3-4 times...
     
  20. integroid

    integroid Supporting Member

    What does it sound like when they start going bad?
     
  21. Jake

    Jake Active Member

    grinding/squeaking/squeeling. you'll know!
     
  22. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    I can take you for a spin. :p

    It sounds like a cupped tire...in my case. Worse when I turn to the right...not as bad when I turn to the left.
     
  23. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    So what is the difference between a hub and a wheel bearing? Is the hub also called the knuckle? I know what the knuckle is.
     
  24. Matt

    Matt Think before you post Staff Member Supporting Member

    the bearing is pressed into the hub, which attaches to the knuckle
     
  25. gotsol

    gotsol Active Member

    The Hub has the lug bolts, the knuckle holds the brakes, hub, and strut together. Sometimes you need to replace the hub and or knuckle, most times not. it just depends on how worn they are.

    Take off the knuckle and bring it to a dealer and ask them to swap in new bearings. it will save you a few hours.

    BTW they have a great hand tool (not a press) that pulls out the bearing and pushes in a new one. You can make the tool youself too. Check Nasioc someone built one.
     
  26. Alex

    Alex Community Founder Staff Member

    Strange, I could swear I took that photo. That looks like my pirelli + my bronze 5 zigen and my driveway/yard :rofl:
     
  27. Trey

    Trey Active Member

  28. Matt

    Matt Think before you post Staff Member Supporting Member

  29. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    Can they be replaced under warranty using the powertrain warranty? I only have 54k miles.
     
  30. Alex

    Alex Community Founder Staff Member

    Maybe?
     
  31. Matt

    Matt Think before you post Staff Member Supporting Member

    it's possible, but not likely at all
     
  32. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    I called and they said it's covered.....5yr/60k. Mine is 6ys old. :\
     
  33. integroid

    integroid Supporting Member

    So I guess that means you are SOL? Looks like someone will be installing wheel bearings this weekend. Hit me up if you need some help.
     
  34. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    lol, I just ordered them from that website you and Matt referenced. Nice guys!

    I'll pull off the knuckles this weekend and then schedule some time with pEd to press them in.

    Yeah! <sonotlookingforwardtothis>


    Items Ordered:
    Item: Front suspension, Suspension components, Bearing, Bearing Back - W/wrx sti 2004 - W/wrx sti 2004
    Price: $57.18
    Tax: $0.00
    Qty: 2
    Total: $114.36

    Item: Front suspension, Suspension components, Bearing, Inner seal, OIL SEAL - W/wrx sti 2004
    Price: $7.70
    Tax: $0.00
    Qty: 2
    Total: $15.40

    Item: Front suspension, Suspension components, Bearing, Outer seal, Outer seal Back - W/wrx sti 2004 - W/wrx sti 2004
    Price: $6.36
    Tax: $0.00
    Qty: 2
    Total: $12.72

    Item: Front suspension, Brake components, Axle nut, Axle nut Axle nut Back - W/wrx sti 2002-05
    Price: $2.78
    Tax: $0.00
    Qty: 1
    Total: $2.78

    -----------------------------
    Items Total: $145.26
    Shipping: $14.53
    Handling Fee: $0.00
    Order Total: $159.79
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2009
  35. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    SO I have one of these to remove the knuckle from the lower ball joint but it murders the rubber seal.

    [​IMG]


    Should I get something like this instead?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2009
  36. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    Got the knuckles off, not as hard as I thought. That noisy side has alot of play (hub to knuckle). Could the knuckle be toast?

    Also, I used this to remove the tie rod end. Popped right out. Not bad for $20!

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2009
  37. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    Thanks again pEd! That was alot easier than I expected. I still need to order new lower ball joints so it'll be a few more days before she's back on the road.
     
  38. pEd

    pEd This ain't no Piccadilly!

    Good seeing you today Trey.
     
  39. Sparta

    Sparta Active Member

    Yea if there is alot of play in it your hub could be toast. I had the same thing happen as Matt, whole hub fell off as soon as the axle nut was removed. My hub ended up being fubared and i ended up needing a new hub and another new wheel bearring 2 weeks later. So same wheel changed twice in 2 weeks was not fun for my wallet.
     
  40. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    I think the hubs were okay. We had to press them out of the bearing/ knuckle.


    Just picked up the new lower ball joints (rubber boot was busted on old one), a 12mm x 1.25 die (tie-rod end was booggered up) and new cotter pins this morning on the way in to work.

    Should be finished up tonight. w00t!
     
  41. wrxin8or

    wrxin8or Mullitt Staff Member

    Shouldn't you be working?:rofl:
     
  42. STiBottom

    STiBottom Member

    My first wheel bearing took me 11 hours to do myself and it bent the ram on a 12 ton press. Fuck the FSM when it only said that I needed a 2 ton press.
    Glad it worked out for you though
     
  43. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    Don't make me shut off your phone....oh wait that would be welcomed. :p
     
  44. wrxin8or

    wrxin8or Mullitt Staff Member

    :rofl::rofl:
     
  45. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    The 12-ton press we used and bearing splitter worked well. Everything did what it was supposed to do, thankfully. The person before me had lots of issues as well.

    My bearings were in good shape though, just had minor wear on one of the bearing races.
     
  46. Trey

    Trey Active Member

    Back on the road again. No more noises..so much quieter in the cabin now. Thanks again pEd and others for the help and suggestions.
     

Share This Page