Subaru Wheel Bearing Recall: Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

Subaru has issued a recall for certain models due to a potential issue with the wheel bearings. The recall affects over 1 million vehicles worldwide, including the Outback, Legacy, Impreza, and Crosstrek.

First, determine if your Subaru is affected by the recall.

Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) and enter your vehicle's VIN.

If your vehicle is affected, contact your local Subaru dealer to schedule an appointment for a free repair.

The repair will typically take several hours to complete.

What is a Wheel Bearing?

A wheel bearing is a critical component that allows the wheels to rotate smoothly. It consists of ball bearings or roller bearings that are housed in a metal casing.

When a wheel bearing fails, it can cause a variety of problems, including:

• Noise: A grinding or humming sound may be heard when driving.
• Vibration: The vehicle may vibrate, especially at higher speeds.
• Reduced braking effectiveness: The brakes may not work as well as they should.
• Wheel damage: The wheel could come loose and cause damage to the vehicle.

Causes of Wheel Bearing Failure

There are several factors that can contribute to wheel bearing failure, including:

• Excessive weight: Overloading the vehicle can put excessive strain on the wheel bearings.
• Rough driving conditions: Driving on rough roads or off-road can damage the wheel bearings.
• Improper installation: If the wheel bearings are not installed correctly, they may fail prematurely.
• Defective parts: In some cases, wheel bearings may fail due to defects in the manufacturing process.

Symptoms of Wheel Bearing Failure

The symptoms of wheel bearing failure can vary depending on the severity of the problem. However, some common signs include:

• Noise: A grinding or humming sound may be heard when driving, especially when turning or accelerating.
• Vibration: The vehicle may vibrate, especially at higher speeds.
• Reduced braking effectiveness: The brakes may not work as well as they should.
• Wheel play: The wheel may have excessive play when it is shaken side-to-side.

How to Inspect Wheel Bearings

If you suspect that your wheel bearings may be failing, you can inspect them yourself. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Engage the parking brake.
3. Chock the wheels.
4. Jack up the vehicle and secure it with jack stands.
5. Remove the wheel.
6. Inspect the wheel bearing for signs of wear or damage.
7. Check the wheel bearing for play by shaking it side-to-side.

How to Replace Wheel Bearings

Replacing wheel bearings is a job that is best left to a professional mechanic. However, if you are confident in your mechanical abilities, you can replace the wheel bearings yourself. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Gather the necessary tools and materials.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
3. Engage the parking brake.
4. Chock the wheels.
5. Jack up the vehicle and secure it with jack stands.
6. Remove the wheel.
7. Remove the brake caliper.
8. Remove the brake rotor.
9. Remove the wheel bearing hub.
10. Press the old wheel bearing out of the hub.
11. Press the new wheel bearing into the hub.
12. Reinstall the wheel bearing hub.
13. Reinstall the brake rotor.
14. Reinstall the brake caliper.
15. Reinstall the wheel.
16. Lower the vehicle.
17. Tighten the lug nuts.

Cost of Repair

The cost of repairing a wheel bearing will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the severity of the problem. However, you can expect to pay between $200 and $600 for parts and labor.

How to Prevent Wheel Bearing Failure

There are several things you can do to prevent wheel bearing failure, including:

• Avoid overloading the vehicle.
• Drive on smooth roads whenever possible.
• Have the wheel bearings inspected regularly by a mechanic.
• Replace the wheel bearings as soon as they start to show signs of wear or damage.

Conclusion

Wheel bearing failure can be a serious problem, but it can be prevented with proper maintenance and care. If you suspect that your wheel bearings may be failing, it is important to have them inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible.

Additional Resources

• Subaru Recall Center
• NHTSA Recall Lookup

FAQs

• What is a wheel bearing recall?

A wheel bearing recall is a safety campaign initiated by a vehicle manufacturer to address a potential defect in the wheel bearings of certain vehicles.

• Is my Subaru affected by the wheel bearing recall?

To determine if your Subaru is affected by the wheel bearing recall, visit the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) and enter your vehicle's VIN.

• What are the symptoms of wheel bearing failure?

The symptoms of wheel bearing failure can vary depending on the severity of the problem, but some common signs include noise, vibration, reduced braking effectiveness, and wheel play.

• How do I replace wheel bearings?

Replacing wheel bearings is a job that is best left to a professional mechanic. However, if you are confident in your mechanical abilities, you can replace the wheel bearings yourself.

• How much does it cost to repair wheel bearings?

The cost of repairing wheel bearings will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the severity of the problem. However, you can expect to pay between $200 and $600 for parts and labor.

• How can I prevent wheel bearing failure?

There are several things you can do to prevent wheel bearing failure, including avoiding overloading the vehicle, driving on smooth roads whenever possible, having the wheel bearings inspected regularly by a mechanic, and replacing the wheel bearings as soon as they start to show signs of wear or damage.

Humorous Stories

• The man who drove his car with a wheel bearing that sounded like a coffee grinder.

One man was driving his car down the road when he heard a loud grinding noise coming from the front wheel. He pulled over to the side of the road and got out to investigate. He couldn't see anything wrong with the tire, so he got back in and started driving again. The noise got louder and louder until it sounded like a coffee grinder. The man pulled over again and got out to look at the tire again. This time, he saw that the wheel bearing was completely destroyed. He called a tow truck and had his car taken to a mechanic. The mechanic replaced the wheel bearing and the man was able to drive his car home without any further problems.

• The woman who thought her car was haunted.

One woman was driving her car home from work when she started hearing strange noises coming from the front wheel. She thought that her car was haunted, so she called a priest to come and bless it. The priest came and blessed the car, but the noises didn't go away. The woman took her car to a mechanic, who diagnosed the problem as a bad wheel bearing. The mechanic replaced the wheel bearing and the woman was able to drive her car home without any further problems.

• The man who thought he had a flat tire.

One man was driving his car down the road when he heard a loud bang. He pulled over to the side of the road and got out to investigate. He saw that one of his tires was flat. He got out his spare tire and started to change it. When he got the flat tire off, he saw that the wheel bearing was completely destroyed. He called a tow truck and had his car taken to a mechanic. The mechanic replaced the wheel bearing and the man was able to drive his car home without any further problems.

Lessons Learned

• If you hear a strange noise coming from your car, don't ignore it.

It's important to have any strange noises coming from your car checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible. Ignoring a noise could lead to a more serious problem down the road.

• Don't be afraid to call a tow truck if you're not sure what's wrong with your car.

If you're not sure what's wrong with your car, it's always better to call a tow truck and have it taken to a mechanic than to try to drive it yourself. Driving a car with a serious problem could be dangerous.

• Regular maintenance can help prevent problems with your car.

Regular maintenance can help prevent problems with your car by identifying and fixing potential problems before they become major issues.

Effective Strategies

• Schedule regular maintenance appointments for your car.

Regular maintenance can help prevent problems with your car by identifying and fixing potential problems before they become major issues.

• Have your wheel bearings inspected by a mechanic at least once a year.

Wheel bearings are critical components that allow the wheels to rotate smoothly. Having them inspected regularly by a mechanic can help prevent problems and keep your car safe.

• **Replace your wheel bearings as soon as they start