Any WRX/STI owners having wheel bearing problems?

[T]

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

 

[Jim Sanchez]

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

 

[JD]

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

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.

 

[Catherine Hampton]

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.

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
<knock on wood> 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? <wry grin>

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 <(e-mail address removed)>
Home Page * <http://www.devsite.org/>
The SpamBouncer * <http://www.spambouncer.org/>

(Please use this address for replies -- the address in my header is a
spam trap.)

 

[T]

Catherine Hampton wrote:

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.

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

 

[Catherine Hampton]

Catherine Hampton wrote:

Thx for your experiences, but on the referral- I'm in the Northern Half
of our great Republic.

ROFL! So am I. <G> 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.

btw- The use of the Legacy bearings was the fix I had heard about also.

Then this was probably the same problem I had, and migrated in years and models
to cars it never affected.



--
Catherine Hampton <(e-mail address removed)>
Home Page * <http://www.devsite.org/>
The SpamBouncer * <http://www.spambouncer.org/>

(Please use this address for replies -- the address in my header is a
spam trap.)

 

[NitroTrike]

From: T (e-mail address removed)

Date: 12/20/2004 5:23 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Message-id: <%Kxxd.1114$(e-mail address removed)>



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

My 2002 WRX had the right rear bearing go out at about 60k, the right front at
about 70k. All was covered by warrantee.