Subaru Wheel Bearing Replacement Without A Press, How To Guide, Quick Version

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Video: Full tutorial on how to change press in wheel bearings. Shows how to replace a bearing without a hydraulic press, and without removing the hub from the car. Please read whole description and look below for time stamped highlights of the procedure.

For more car repair videos, please check out my playlist on the subject:

This is the shorter and more concise version of these steps, though it still includes the full process to change a bearing. I made this version for those who are more mechanically experienced or want to save time. For a longer, more detailed version, please view the video at this link:

I decided to make this tutorial because I could not find a detailed video of the process on YouTube for this type of bearing replacement. Any video I found typically involved removing the entire knuckle from the car and placing it in a hydraulic press. Many videos also show incorrect procedures which may damage this type of bearing.

I attempted to address all these issues by showing how to do this job without a hydraulic press or removing major components from the car. This also means no suspension components are affected and alignment will not change. This is also the cheapest way to change a press in bearing correctly, as the tools needed can be had for around $150.

The car in this video is a 1993 Subaru Impreza. However, this procedure works for many cars from most brands. Especially smaller vehicles from Japanese manufacturers. Even if you have a different car, many of the steps in this video may still apply. Always check the proper procedures for your vehicle, including torque specs. If you have ABS, remember you may need to remove the sensor!

0:00 - Tools required overview
0:20 - Axle nut unstaking
0:48 - Jacking up car, jack stand, wheel removal
0:56 - Axle nut removal
1:05 - Caliper and rotor removal
1:23 - Ball joint castle nut removal
1:44 - Trick for ball joint removal
2:26 - Sway bar link disconnection
2:35 - Ball joint pulling from arm
2:37 - Axle pulling from hub
2:42 - Ball joint reinstallation
2:55 - Hub puller installation
3:02 - Slide hammer installation
3:18 - Hub and bearing pulling with slide hammer
3:47 - Retaining ring removal
3:55 - Outer race removal overview
5:00 - Outer race removal from knuckle
6:43 - Outside seal cutting and removal
7:04 - Inner race cutting and removal
7:56 - Inner race installation overview
9:13 - Outside seal installation
9:50 - Inner race installation on hub
11:18 - Cleanliness and rust note
11:41 - Outer race installation overview
12:04 - Outer race installation in knuckle
13:20 - Retaining ring installation
13:33 - Hub and bearing installation overview
14:05 - Hub and bearing installation in knuckle
15:30 - Inside seal installation
16:36 - Axle and nut reinstallation
17:18 - Ball joint tightening and torquing
17:40 - Rotor and caliper reinstallation
17:56 - Axle nut torque spec and procedure
18:20 - Axle nut tightening and torquing
18:26 - Axle nut staking
18:47 - Sway bar link reconnection
19:11 - Wheel reinstallation, lower car
19:21 - The finishing touch!
19:29 - Thanks! Please like, comment, subscribe!

[Garage]

*INSTALLATION NOTE:* While this procedure works, I advise installing the large outer race in the knuckle, putting both inner races with bearings in place, installing the outer seal, then pressing the hub through the entire assembly. This lets you make sure the outer seal is fully seated. Please let me know if you have any issues. Thank you!

Please read the full description to get the most out of the information provided. This is the shorter version of this tutorial which I was able to cut down by over 25 minutes to save you time while still including the complete repair.


I welcome any feedback or critiques. That includes methods for performing the repair as well as filming and editing. I really appreciate any comments.

If you have any questions, definitely ask and I will try to reply promptly. I really hope this helps you all out. Please like and subscribe if you appreciated the video.

THANK YOU!

[homeimprovementsubaruguy]

There should be an international law which mandates sealed one-piece hub/bearing
I should add that law should have been made decades ago.
Thanks for the video. It has helped tremendously.

[guyspencer]

Just gone done, four hours. Not bad for me and my first time, that slide hammer is a peach, the press kit is all that and a bag of chips. Thanks for the walk through, you made me buy some tools but the satisfaction of knowing how to do the job and being able to do it myself was worth it. Great tutorial.

[felipeacelass.]

I did the same bearing change today!!! without the same tool kit, just a threaded bar and other accessories!! thanks for your teaching! God bless you greatly!

[flightofthefatman]

I commend your effort but I found it so much easier to take the hub to a shop to remove and press in the bearing for $20. This sort of effort is for young people without bad knees and back. Great video and instruction.

[thomaskautz]

Helped me a bunch on my 99 Subaru Legacy Outback. Rented the tools from Autozone and bought a new hub / bearing & seals at O'rileys. Took 2-3 hours. Total cost $120 and some change. Could have saved money if I reused the hub but I didn't have a way of getting the old bearing off so I decided it would be easier to replace that too. Oh and the tool rentals were $260 but I got that back when I returned them. Was much easier then I had thought. Thank you very much.!

[peterschuerch]

Very nice video. If you are not an experienced mechanic, this video shows you quite a few nice tricks which can come in handy on other jobs.

[tyree]

As a fellow DiY "Shadetree" Mechanic, I applaud your effort(s) to save yourself some money and ingenuity at accomplishing the task!
😉👍

[jbick]

I logged in just so I could like the video. Very clear; very helpful. Great job editing.

[scottcrawford]

Just changed my wheel baring on my Subaru with the help of your video. Excellent video thank you for making it!!

[Coleslawbreakfast]

I just did my 11, and I am so thankful for bearing assemblies.

[iihungy]

Very smooth instructional video. Kind of gives off ChrisFix vibes, but calmer and smoother

[mrreymundo]

Nice job. Included the relevant details. I once watched a vid on replacing the alt where the guy showed a shot of it before working on it, then another after he had replaced it. Nothing in-between. That was fantastic.

[sebastiansundelin]

It is a pleasure watching this man work.

[kyleburney]

Hey man by far the best how to change an axle in a Subaru video on YouTube thanks for all the little tricks really appreciate it I’ve got a 98 legacy outback I’m getting ready to do !! save me so much time thanks

[hamidsirat]

Excellent video. I was in doubt when I started working on extracting the bearings until I watched your video twice. Big thank you!!!

[gculkin]

Excellent explanation. Your tips about cleanliness and part orientation were very appropriate.

[bdrichardson]

GREAT job with the camera, your speech is clear and easy to understand.

[mindsnk]

Well done. I appreciate your willing to learn and teach, and edit correction (correct names of parts). Names don’t matter when you do it right, but you did both 🤙

[uggmpgg]

thank you so much for your video, I was able to keep my 20 year old Baja alive thanks too you