Wheel Bearing Whirs...

[station2stattion]

Guys.... in my mind right now... bearings are what make Subaru a SALVAGE car...

So... BEFORE I SALVAGE a 2000 Impreza RS BRP which I have COMPLETELY restored... AND my 94 Legacy TURBO 5 SPD....

Please calm me down and help me out here...

SHORT STORY

Can the " wheel bearing sound" be a CV joint going out...?



Is this discoloration on the CV indicative of anything?

The CV doesnt have any play in it... and it moves freely... Can that make the wheel bearing noise?


THE STORY:
In 2008 my RS got a bad wheel bearing in the driver rear. Okay. Cool I need to replace it..
"Subaru wants HOW MUCH!?" "HELL NO"
- Attempt to take knuckle off. Lateral Link Bolt woes.
- Break off lateral link heads.... lateral links still stuck to knuckle.
- Attempt to remove lateral links from subframe... one bolt stuck.
- Cut lateral link, order Whiteline Lateral Links.
- Attempt to remove bearing... pain in ass...
- Buy FWD bearing service kit and seal press kit. Buy 4 new bearings (all four knuckles) and wheel seals.
- Powedercoat knuckles press in bearings. LOOKS GREAT.
- Continue rebuild. Balljoint stuck in front knuckle.
- Front knuckle gets ALL messed up ... Drill out knuckle for longer bolt. Put nut on other side. OKAY.

Meantime,

Replaced Jetta bearings. Worked... COOL! Im doing it right...
Replace Another VW bearing.. COOL I am getting the hang of this...

- Friend - " Want Subaru Legacy turbo for $2000?"
- Me "Yes, please"
- Front wheel bearing noise...no play in wheel... hmmmm must need grease
- No problem, I'm good at this now...
- Replace bearing... Noise is bad...
- Hmmmm what did I do wrong?
- Google google google search button search button search button..
- "Okay, Timkin bearings need to be repacked with grease... factory grease is just to get it out of the door... ok...
- Remove, repack, reinstall. Nope... Still sounds like ****....
- *sigh* guess I need to order another bearing...
- Bearing comes in... SEALED bearing? WTF? LOL Cool whatever
- Replace... Test drive... better... only slightly... still sounds like ****...

WTF COULD BE WRONG!!!!????? ..... Looks over at RS.... "All of those bearings were Timken... I didnt pack those with grease...

- Kick car hard....

[Legacy777]

Looking at that picture, I don't think that cv axle is installed all the way. I'm not sure if you had it removed partially for that picture. Can you confirm?

[station2stattion]

I had backed it out to remove the bearing again. No, it is not installed in the pic.

[91Beater]

Your story is hard to follow Could you put it in standard writing?

Explain as much as you can about the symptoms. Which car is it thats having the problem?

What does it sound like? What makes it make the noise? What patterns does it show?

CV problems usually make clicking and popping sound while making parking lot maneuvers and accelerating through a turn.