Subaru Wheel Bearing Noise Diagnosis & Replacement

By the Radman Auto Repair team, independent auto repair in Etobicoke since 1999 · Updated November 2026

Subaru wheel bearings, front and rear, are a common wear item on the Outback, Forester, Impreza, Crosstrek and Legacy, especially with Ontario potholes and salt. The noise starts as a hum that rises with speed and grows into a growl.

Symptoms

What Causes It

Before You Start

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake and chock the wheels. Never work under a car held up only by a jack: use rated jack stands.
• Let the engine and exhaust cool before you touch them; coolant systems are under pressure when hot.
• Wear safety glasses and gloves, and disconnect the 12V battery before unplugging electrical parts or working near airbags.
• Check for open recalls on your VIN (Transport Canada or the manufacturer’s site) before you buy parts: a recall repair is free at the dealer.
• Use a proper bearing press or hub tool; hammering the bearing in will ruin it.
• Don’t let the CV axle hang by its joint or pull it apart.

Step-by-Step: Subaru Wheel Bearing

1. Road test. Drive at 60–100 km/h and gently weave. The bearing on the opposite side of the turn that makes it louder is the likely culprit.
2. Check for play. Lift the car, grab the tire at top and bottom and rock it; spin it and listen for roughness.
3. Remove the wheel and brakes. Loosen the axle nut with the car on the ground, then lift it, remove the wheel, caliper (hung up), and rotor.
4. Remove the axle nut. Unstake and remove the axle nut. Unplug the ABS sensor.
5. Remove the hub or knuckle. For a bolt-in hub, unbolt it. For a pressed bearing, remove the knuckle.
6. Press out and in. Press out the old bearing, clean the bore, and press in the new one only on its outer race.
7. Reassemble. Refit the knuckle or hub, a new axle nut torqued to spec and staked, the brakes and ABS sensor.
8. Test drive. Confirm the noise is gone and the ABS light is off.

When to Stop and Bring It In

• You don’t have a press or the right hub tool.
• The noise continues: it may be tire noise or the other side (see tire noise vs wheel bearing noise).
• The ABS light stays on after the repair.
• The axle nut or knuckle bolts are seized from rust.

Not sure, or out of time? Radman Auto Repair in Etobicoke does this repair every week. Book online or call (416) 742-4521.

Also Known As

Searched as “Subaru wheel bearing noise”, “Outback wheel bearing”, “Forester humming noise”, “Crosstrek wheel bearing replacement”, “Subaru rear wheel bearing”, and “Subaru growling noise at highway speed”.

Frequently Asked Questions

See also Wheel Bearing Noise Diagnosis, Humming Noise While Driving, Tire Noise vs Wheel Bearing Noise, Noise & Vibration Problems.

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