Front wheel bearings

silversubiowner · Post by **silversubiowner** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 3:52 pm

Hi,

One of my front wheel bearings (1994 ea82 L series wagon) is wearing out. However Im not sure which one it is, so I will just replace both (cost is not a problem beacause bearings are fairly cheap).

I found a 'photo essay' on how to replace them on the USMB website (http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/sho ... hp?t=77491) and was wondering if anyone else has either,

i) used this as a guide to replace them (if so was the guide satisfactory); or
ii) replaced the wheel bearings yourself (so may have a few suggestions regarding any potential problems)

Any help would be much appreciated!

Cheers

Post by **TOONGA** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:08 pm

love this bit

By the way, if your grease has dirt or hair in it, try to stick it to the side of a mailbox on your way to the auto parts store for some fresh stuff.

and yes thats a great guide just remember to tighten your castelation nut up to stand on the breaker bar tight

TOONGA

davmax · Post by **davmax** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:52 pm

If as I suspect the bearings are tapered the castellated nut must be adjusted so that the bearings run freely, even with a tiny end play. If the nut is tightened up hard the bearings will sieze and cause damage. This used to be standard practice, perhaps your bearings are different. I have seen many people including mechanics tighten tapered bearings to max and cause problems, the bearings must be allowed to work. The castellated nut is usually a good indicator that there are degrees of adjustment, locked with a split pin, to set the clearance correctly.

Morcs · Post by **Morcs** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:45 pm

NO wrong these are a ball race bearing these need to be very tight as if they are loose they sound like your wheel is going to fall off (i am not kidding you will know if you leave it loose).Around about my weight (90kg) standing (bouncing) on the 3/4 inch drive socket set T bar on the castellated nut . Then check again once you have done a few kays (200).

Make sure the conical washers are in good condition as well as these can cause problems. Not That expensive either

Bearing Number is 6207 go to a bearing supplies heaps cheaper than auto parts store and you can get sealed bearings

Sometimes to undo these you might have place socket on night then drive forward or backwards to undo castellated 36mm nut. (im slack bugger or you can get a cheater bar bouncing /rattle gun )

Fairly straight forward operation but you don't have to remove the strut from the bearing housing. Just every thing else