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--> Can anyone provide a rundown on what hubs fit our cars from later model years?

--> Also factors that may make a fitment difference (left/right, front/back, 4WD/FWD, etc)?

--> Finally, whether it makes sense to replace hubs as an easier/cheaper way of replacing burnt-out bearings.

(ALL my bearings are shot to varying degrees and right now I'm looking for hub assy on all four corners and want all the MY options and/or to be convinced there is a better way to go).

Thanks!

Why not just replace bearings?

Because I've gotten the distinct impression it can be easier (if doing yourself) and cheaper (if buying your own hubs and having a shop do it) to do the hubs than the bearing unpack/repack.

Wrong?

(still interested in answers to the original questions too)

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller ...

Ok, anyone want to weigh-in on replacing bearings vs. replacing the entire hub? Mainly I want to keep cost down at the shop.


(If the answer is hubs, what later model years fit?).

Cheaper to do bearings. Either way you're going to have to remove the hub from the car. You can then either pay $45 for a bearing or $99 for a hub. And it takes all of maybe 10 minutes for pressing a bearing out and pressing a new one in.

I believe most hubs will fit -- up to a 04 Impreza and at least an 03 Forester and Outbacks. But if you have ABS, you must get a hub for ABS system--the ABS hubs come with the ring sensor on it whereas the non-ABS hubs don't have that ring sensor.

As regards replacing the hub vs replacing the bearings, here's my viewpoint -- IF you can get hubs with the bearings in good condition AND they cost less than the cost of bearings plus labor, I'd say go for the hubs.

I just had the bearing on all four corners replaced with Koyo bearings (they make bearing for racing). They were pressed in correctly with proper pre-load and everything. On the way home from the shop (about 20 miles), the right front bearings self-destruct. I had to get the Suby put on a flatbed and taken back to the mechanic shop. I got a j/y spindle/hub assembly and no problem.

After that right front spindle was replaced when I got home and parked my car, I could smell the left front bearing grease burning. And the wheel was warm to the touch whereas the right front wheel was cold. Another j/y spindle put on.

Now the rear bearings need replacing (or another set of hubs) because they are riding a little rough. People who ride in my car wonder why it vibrates so much.

Thanks for the good reply 93leg. That's what I was thinking about hub vs. bearing, and its good to confirm that later model years should fit. I decided to get bearings (Timken - $30 each) for the front two corners and I'll have to do the back two corners soonish (these original hubs/bearings are at 211K mi, which seems pretty damn good).

The reason I asked is that I had the potential of getting hubs cheap (compared to bearings + labor)... but didn't work out time-wise. I'll prepare for the back end a little better. Also of note, the shop quoted 1.5-2 hours less to do the hubs than the bearings (1.5 vs. 3-3.5).

I'd like to do the back 2 hubs myself, so I'll be keeping my eye out for nice low-mileage hubs off a later model car. Thanks again.

My mechanic did a rear wheel bearing in 1 hour...I don't know what yours is smoking with that 1.5 - 3-3.5. Doing both bearings would have taken 2 hours...that 3 hours must include a lunch break or something.

Book time.

Well, 3 hours of labor (at $45/hr) later I have two new front bearings and my problems are solved. $200 for the total job (I brought in bearings - $60). Wish they'd done 2 hours, but hell, I'm happy to be able to hear my radio again!

... now if the droning from the rears (which I couldn't hear over all the racket before) would just go away, I'd be set... Golly it sucks to put in 30%+ of the value of your car in repairs!