Just a quick straw poll on whether the bearings (mostly _rear_?) have been having seemingly premature wear problems, if it was a common problem or Urban Myth, did it affect 'normal' models as well/instead, and what might be a retrofit answer if it turns out to be true.
TBerk
Never had the problem nor seen any postings on the Subaru boards about it either. Sounds like BS to me... Jim
I have 64,000 KM on my 04 STi. No problems with wheel bearings. If the summers (RE 70s) are still on the car, they are noisy as hell and sure sound like a wheel bearing gone. But mine were checked at the last servicing (60,000 KM) and all was fine.
This is a known problem in 1998 Impreze Outback Sport models; I had this problem. (Rear wheel bearings went out at 55K and 60K miles.) I understand it was a problem with 1997 and 1999 year models, as well, and possibly with Forresters of those same years. Several people have reported this problem in this newsgroup over the last few years; some reported having to replace the bearings every 10-15K miles.
It was *NOT* a problem with the Legacy Outback models; in fact, Subaru's repair instructions for the Outback Sports were modified at some point to instruct dealers to replace the wheel bearing assemblies on Impreza Outback Sports with the assemblies used on Legacy Outbacks. This was done to my car, and so far there has been no further trouble.
I have not heard of this being a problem with later Subaru models, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been. However, given Subaru Corp's/Fuji Heavy Industries Corp's practice of denying problems caused by design flaws in their products (sigh), it could well have become an urban legend. After all, if Subaru/FHIC denied it was a problem when it *was* a problem, why would anyone believe denials when it *wasn't* a problem?
I'd suggest having a talk with a Subaru specialist who doesn't work for Subaru or a Subaru dealer on this one. If you need a referral to a good one in the Los Angeles metro area, let me know.
-- Catherine Hampton Home Page * The SpamBouncer *
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Thx for your experiences, but on the referral- I'm in the Northern Half of our great Republic.
btw- The use of the Legacy bearings was the fix I had heard about also.
TBerk
ROFL! So am I. I'm dating someone in the LA area and happened across a wonderful third-party Subaru specialist in Monrovia.
I got my Subaru at Carlsen, and for anything other than trying to track down a design problem that the manufacturer won't admit to, I'd recommend them. They're good. I just figured that, for this, you wanted someone an uninvolved third party.
Then this was probably the same problem I had, and migrated in years and models to cars it never affected.
-- Catherine Hampton Home Page * The SpamBouncer *
(Please use this address for replies -- the address in my header is a spam trap.)
My 2002 WRX had the right rear bearing go out at about 60k, the right front at about 70k. All was covered by warrantee.
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