Update: My Subaru Outback needs two wheel bearings

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland) 09/03/2019 at 22:49 • Filed to: Subaru Outback

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Both rear wheel bearings are toast and there was a rock in the brake making the grinding sound. So yeah, they got their pound of flesh.

71,000 miles and it’s making a metallic grinding Noise when I release the clutch. It’s not even slipping just sounds like shit. I knew I had to much money in my bank account.

functionoverfashion > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/03/2019 at 23:02

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My E46 wagons were more reliable than a modern Subaru, from the sounds of it.

Shit, that sucks. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > functionoverfashion 09/03/2019 at 23:03

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Point of fact, you are correct.

Fuckkinja > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/03/2019 at 23:08

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That might just be the throw out bearing. Clutches slip before they grind.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/03/2019 at 23:26

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Sorry to hear it. That sucks!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Fuckkinja 09/03/2019 at 23:28

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That was my thought to but since you have to pull the tranny to do a throw out bearing might as well do the clutch too.

wafflesnfalafel > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/03/2019 at 23:35

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C learly from all those 8,000 rpm clutch drop starts.... I had to replace the clutch at 60k in my old 09 Mazda 3 2.3 sport - and I am super nice to clutches, (no really, I promise - I had 160k on the orig clutch on my Nissan pickup and over 140k on a 92 Honda Accord when we got rid of them. .) So... I think some clutches are just just more likely to give up the ghost early.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > wafflesnfalafel 09/03/2019 at 23:41

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Yeah our other cars are near or over 100k and on original clutches. Even my 2006 mazda3 is on its original clutch.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > wafflesnfalafel 09/03/2019 at 23:42

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The Outback is also really heavy and driven mostly by my wife so I can see a clutch wearing quickly.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/04/2019 at 00:00

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My 93 Civic (owned 2000-2005)  got like that. Previous owner wasn’t too kind to it. Tech said it was a total horror show in there. 

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/04/2019 at 00:02

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Actually my V60 needs a clutch too. Only thing missing that would improve it. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/04/2019 at 00:33

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Yes. There is no sense in not doing the whole clutch job while you’re that much time/money into the labor . Clutch kits and flywheel resurfacing is cheap compared to the mechanical labor. That is unless it has a dual-mass flywheel, then you wallet really has  my sympathy.   The shop ought to be replacing the rear main seal, too as part of the job.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/04/2019 at 00:44

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Yuck. I also need a clutch in my Subaru. But I’m at 172k miles and it’s an STi, so that’s impressive if anything. And in terms of friction material, it’s actually still got enough life to keep going without any slipping which is why I’ve ignored my messed up flywheel and squeaky clutch bearings. I figure I should be able to push start the car should my flywheel become completely inoperable lol. And there's enough road noise and stock exhaust noise and radio to ignore squeaking. 

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/04/2019 at 01:30

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Don't forget the input shaft bearing on the gearbox. Both of our vehicles that have new clutches in them both have dodgy shaft bearings that couldn't be heard over the dying clutch and/or flywheel.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/04/2019 at 07:43

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Metallic sound makes me think release bearing.

Either way, might as well change the clutch while you’re in there, time to upgrade.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 09/04/2019 at 09:23

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That's a good point, it doesn't make the noise like a bad throw out bearing, it makes the noise as the transmission gets under load, not when depressing the clutch.

HammerheadFistpunch > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/05/2019 at 17:13

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Exactly the point I was making about Subaru’s earlier. They used to be solid but in the last 10 years...I know more subi people with problems than high miles.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch 09/05/2019 at 17:16

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*other than the engine being replaced at 35k under warranty this is the first non regular maintenance item I have had to do to the car in 6.5 years. It’s actually been better than the 2002 impreza. Still not as good as my mazda that is at 81k and has only had the thermostat replaced 7 years ago. 

HammerheadFistpunch > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/05/2019 at 17:17

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yeah but 71k for wheel bearings? 

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/05/2019 at 17:27

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Can you replace them by yourself? Bearings are not that expensive by themselves.

gettingoldercarguy > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/05/2019 at 17:29

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Replaced one of mine, but I know that was going way too fast on a rough mountain road coming back from a hike.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > HammerheadFistpunch 09/05/2019 at 17:32

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Honestly, Subaru wheel bearings have always been a bit iffy.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch 09/05/2019 at 17:33

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Yeah that really sad. On my impreza by 71k I would estimate I had 6 wheel bearings replaced and one hub catastrophically fail. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > gettingoldercarguy 09/05/2019 at 17:34

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I live in Montana, this is my every day. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 09/05/2019 at 17:34

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I could, but I don’t have the time or patience. I’d rather work on cars that I enjoy like my Datsun. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/05/2019 at 17:56

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clutch and wheel bearings at 71k... how much is the car worth now? a few grand?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/05/2019 at 17:58

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Clut ch was fine, rock in the brake making the noises.

It’s p robably around $15k as is with dog hair and food under the seats. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 09/05/2019 at 18:02

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I don’t know why i thought  it was like an 05 for some reason...

BrooklynEagle > HammerheadFistpunch 09/05/2019 at 19:30

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They’ve *always* been bearing-eaters. Going back at least to the 1990 Legacy wagon I had for a while. Same with in-laws’ Foresters.

BeaterGT > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/05/2019 at 19:40

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Can confirm.

Tekamul > HammerheadFistpunch 09/05/2019 at 19:43

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I had a Forester go through both re ar wheel bearings, one at 55k, on around 90k. I think they have some poor design steering debris places it shouldn't be.

E92M3 > HammerheadFistpunch 09/05/2019 at 19:56

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If you drive them thru water crossings or in mud, the wheel bearings will have short lives.