The rear wheel bearings on your Subaru vehicle let the tires rotate without much friction. Replacing the rear wheel bearings on your Subaru vehicle is an involved process that requires attention and care. Although it can be done yourself to save money, it can take well over four hours to complete. As the bearings are important for the operation of your Subaru vehicle, it is important that you always keep the bearings in working condition.
Place the vehicle in park and engage the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheel requiring bearing removal. Do not remove the wheel yet.
Raise the Subaru vehicle with a jack, place the vehicle on jack stands and lower the jack until the vehicle's weight is supported by the stands. Remove the nuts from the rear wheel with a wheel wrench. Remove the wheel.
Remove the mounting bolts from the caliper with a socket wrench and remove the brake rotor.
Use a socket wrench to remove the axle nut and the lateral link bolt. Push out the bearing housing and slide the axle out.
Thrust the hammer slide outward until you have removed the wheel bearing hub. Pry off the snap ring and remove the inner seals from the housing of the bearing.
Use the OTC 311882 tool to remove the rear wheel bearing. Use a wrench to secure the nut located on rear of the bearing housing before removing the bearing.
Apply a small amount of bearing grease into the palm of your hand and work the bearing grease into the bearing by dipping it against your palm. Ensure the bearing receives a liberal amount of grease before installation. This step protects the bearing.
Set the new bearing assembly into the bearing housing and use the OTC 311882 tool to reinstall the bearing. Apply the grease to the puller belt.
Insert the snap ring and the axle. Install every thing take off the vehicle in the reverse order you removed it. Reattach the wheel, tighten the lug nuts, remove the jack stands and lower the Subaru vehicle to the ground.
