This process should more or less apply to most Subarus built in the early to mid 2000’s (as well as many other vehicles with this type of press fit bearing). In this video I replace a front wheel bearing on my 2004 Subaru Forester.
Edit: I never showed removing or installing the axelnut. that is also a step.
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Here are some shortcuts to specific parts of the video.
3:00 Steering knuckle removal
11:41 Bearing replacement
27:11 Steering knuckle reinstallation
Here is a short list of specialty tools I purchased for this job.
* Central Machinery 20 ton H-Frame Shop Press – http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/hydraulics/20-ton-shop-press-32879.html
* Pittsburgh 3/4 in. Ball Joint Separator – http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/steering/3-4-quarter-inch-forged-ball-joint-separator-99849.html
Note this worked, but only just barely. The fork on this tool is just a bit too narrow to fit around the ball joint.
* Pittsburgh Large Bearing Separator – http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/pullers/large-bearing-separator-3979.html
* Pittsburgh 8 in. Three-Jaw Gear Puller – http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/pullers/8-in-three-jaw-gear-puller-69224.html
* Pittsburgh 10 Piece Bearing Race and Seal Driver Set – http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-bearing-race-and-seal-driver-set-95853.html
* Assorted short pipe fittings from the plumbing section at Lowes
Please note you would need many more tools than these to do this job, (such as a jack and jackstands, wrenches, prybars, etc.).
This video is for entertainment only. If you choose to work on your own vehicle I’m not responsible for anything that may result.
This video is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.
would silicone work just as well as grease for this?
Oops I meant to ask for the rear of a subaru?
hey man,isn't there four bolts that hold the hub to the knuckle that i could just remove it that way?
Do you need a 20 ton press? Or can you do this with, say, a 12 ton press?
Thanks for the vid, I kinda skipped through it, without noting the technique, but I noticed you were using the same press I was thinking of buying for the job. I purchased the same press, realized it was not wide enough to press the way I thought it would, struggled with the lack of extra iron to set it all up, did the job, wondered what you did, came back to the video, and laughed hysterically in the similarity of the struggle…
Is it possible to install a new bearing without a press?
Thanks for the video. Made the job so much easier. My 03 Legacy was indeed the same set up as your Forester. How's your head gasket holding up?
how different is this process for rears?
where did you place the jack stand
I wish my tie rod came off that easy. p.s. A low mile steering knuckle assembly at a junk yard is around $30. I replaced the whole thing, skipped pressing the bearing.
LSPR — TRIPLE Bonus for the shirt!!! Great video, thanks! I'm an STPR/WMWR organizer, so seeing the rally shirt was awesome. I've made it out to work Sno-Drift a number of times, but not to LSPR or Ojibwe, YET…
Fuck this I am buying the whole assembly haha