How do I know if my Subaru wheel bearings are bad?

Signs of Bad Subaru Wheel Bearings
To determine if your Subaru wheel bearings are bad, there are several signs you can look out for:
1. Unusual Noise: Bad wheel bearings can produce various noises. Some common sounds include humming, squealing, growling, or howling. These noises may change in intensity or pitch as you drive and can be heard from the affected wheel area.
2. Play or Movement: You can check for play or movement in the wheel by lifting the front end of your Subaru and safely propping it up with jack stands. Stand in front of one of the front tires and place your hands on the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions on the tire. Wiggle the tire back and forth, toward and away from your body. If there is any play or movement, it indicates a bad wheel bearing.
3. Vibration: If you feel vibrations in the steering wheel while driving, it could be a sign of a bad wheel bearing. This vibration may increase as you accelerate or change your speed.
4. Wobbling: If you notice your wheels wobbling while driving, it is a sign of severe bearing damage. In this case, it is important to stop driving immediately and have the bearings inspected and replaced.
It’s worth noting that Subaru wheel bearings often don’t exhibit traditional wheel bearing symptoms, such as play or movement. Instead, they may require a more attentive ear to detect the issue. Some Subaru owners have reported being able to identify which corner has a bad wheel bearing by paying close attention to the sound and using their ears.
If you suspect that your Subaru wheel bearings are bad based on these signs, it is recommended to have them inspected and replaced by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible to ensure safe driving.

How can I check if my wheel bearing is bad?

And it doesn’t feel like you have a bad wheelbarrow anymore. So no play this way up and down. No play no sound this should be a good wheel bearing.

What are the first signs of bearing failure?

If your bearing is suddenly noisy during operation, you’re looking at a bearing failure. This excess noise is created when the raceways of the bearing have become damaged, causing the rolling elements to bounce or rattle during rotation.

Why do Subaru bearings fail?

With the Subaru EJ engines having such a small oil capacity, the oil gets saturated with combustion by products and other engine material sooner. This dirty oil wreaks havoc on bearings and causes them to wear prematurely. With the bearings already being at a disadvantage due to their size, wear also occurs sooner.

How long will a wheel bearing last once it starts making noise?

But on average a wheel bearing can last 200 to 1000 miles after it starts to make noise wheel bearing noise symptoms are usually indications of different faults in the car.

Do Subarus have wheel bearing problems?

Subaru uses low quality bearings from the factory. Complain all you want, but they’ve been doing it for decades and don’t seem to care about it. Replace them with a quality aftermarket brand (Timken) and be done with it. Be happy you don’t have a stick shift, the throw out bearings in them are junk too.

How long do Subaru wheel bearings last?

100,000 miles
Typically, there is no maintenance required for your Subaru wheel bearings, but a replacement is usually needed after 100,000 miles of driving.

How much does it cost to fix a wheel bearing on a Subaru?

about $350
What’s the cost for wheel bearing replacement on my Subaru. For a national average across all vehicles, the average cost to replace the wheel bearings (for 1 wheel) is about $350 (including parts and labor).

Is it OK to drive with a noisy wheel bearing?

Once you notice any sign indicating a bad wheel bearing, avoid exceeding 500 miles with that issue. A failing wheel bearing will increase your difficulty in driving. But with a high-quality wheel bearing, you can drive for another 1000 miles as per the estimate.

How do I know when my wheel bearings need replacing?

Signs your wheel bearings may need replacement
When driving over uneven surfaces, a clunking sound may be heard, and vibrations from the wheels can often be felt in the cabin of the vehicle. Uneven tire wear begins to emerge when the ball bearings or tapers loosen in their housings or lose their effectiveness.

What is one of the first signs of bearing failure?

What are the first signs of bearing failure? The first sign of bearing failure is excessive vibration.