Just got a quote from Subaru for supplying and fitting a new bearing for the rear...

Price quoted £119+VAT for the parts & £58+VAT for fitting. Apparently, you have to replace the drive shaft seals and something called a 'speedy sleeve' at the same time

Can anyone confirm they are not trying to rip me off, i've never heard of having to replace drive shaft seals before and i've never even heard of a speedy sleeve???

Can anyone help?

 

What model? Had my rear changed on my 93 wrx last year and that cost me about £80 plus fitting which did take a while. Was about £150 all in I think. Never heard of a speedy sleeve though

 

It's a MY97 so should be the same, solid rear disks etc....

Sounds a bit pricey to me

Just checked out Graham Goode and they sell bearings for £65 inv VAT No mention of a 'speedy sleeve'

 

Had mine done recently, can't remember exact cost but was over £200 all in. Not sure what else they replaced.
The price horrified me, last time I had one of these done was on a high mileage Pug. Cost approx £40!!!!

 

Mine is a jap import and the rears are different so had to be ordered hence the extra cost. Thinking on it was more like £200 as it took a couple of hours to do but that did include them ordering the bearing too.

 

got quoted 278 quid for 1 wheel a while back from a main dealer !

got it done at a subaru specialist (& the other side) for not much more!

bearings ARE pricey .. £65 sounds good deal!

Steve

 

andy at grade-a subaru has complete rear hub assemblys for £65 plus VAT. Don't think they're that difficult to fit, not sure if they're a DIY job.
hope this helps,
simon

 

There are two separate seals that need replacing, the bearings are actually taper roller. Don't know about the price but this can be a sod of a job to do, when my nearside rear needed changing recently (spun the drive shaft nut off) both seals were destroyed getting the beasrings out (hence the need for new) and the centre hub had seized into the bearing taking over an hour to remove on its own.

 

thanks bob.
quite happy to bow to superior knowledge on this one.

simon.

 

OK, probably looks like i need to put it into the dealers then

Oh well, there goes another 200 bucks

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

i always thought there were ball bearing type on the rear with three seals one on the outer and two on the inner, isn't the front a taper type with two seals?
they are correct in the use of a speedy sleeve as this fits over the driveshaft and gives the new seals a new face to run on. this is done because the driveshaft face goes rusty it also makes it a tighter fit for the seals so as to stop the muck getting past the seals

 

The rears have one seal on the outer race and two on the inner.. And of course the Speedy Sleeve..

The biggest problem is if the lower arm bolt is seized in the bushes.. Its bleedin long and can be a bitch to remove, even with an air chisel..
and of course the bearing is a press remove/fit..

Scooby Technician

 

The speedy sleeve is to cure the problem of grooving of the driveshaft surface by the original seals, so thats why the dealers quote for them, but make sure they sell you a "roller " bearing as fitted to legacy's and not the original ball bearing fitted to impreza's and foresters, otherwise, you may well be changing it sooner than you think "again". But, ensure the driveshaft surface, where the seals run is mega clean and not covered in rust or corrosion, as this is what rips the seals and lets the water in, letting the grease out..