Subaru Owners Beware of This Shocking Problem!

My Subaru Forester broke down in a way I never expected! After countless adventures, a wheel bearing failure finally stopped me in my tracks. In this video, I’ll show you the warning signs, how I managed the breakdown, and the steps I took to replace the bearing. If you’re a Subaru fan-whether Forester, Outback, or Crosstrek-knowing how to handle a wheel bearing issue could save you a huge headache on your next trip!
The Forester: Built over a few years the 2004 Subaru Forester XS was built to test the limits of what is capable in an early 2000's Subaru with bolt-ons. Created for overlanding adventures it takes on the hardest offroad trails while having everything for camping. The Forester features: custom interior, rooftop tent, ARB rack with custom mounts, high clearance bumper, winch, Hella lights, transmission cooler, sway bar delete, offroad coilovers, AT tires, Beadlock wheels, overland kitchen and engine and trans skid plates. And to many people's surprise often keeping up with full-size 4x4s.
Looking for parts? Check out our company: flat4offroad.ca/
About Chase Schrader: Based in Alberta, Canada, Chase Schrader is a multidisciplinary digital creative that focuses on automotive content. Through his two Subarus, a 2004 STi and 2004 Forester, he actively engages in both the race and overland community. As a community member, he engages with others and looks to further develop it through his networks.
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[@Chase_Schrader]

What are your thoughts on my failing bearing?! UPDATE: Rock Auto refused to offer any solution for the continued failing bearings or the seals that did not fit as there is no way I am running the other SKP bearing till this happens again. Anyone got a Rock Auto alternative?

[@iansilver7785]

Nothing quite as bad as watching your subie get towed :( PS: What brand was that?

[@iansilver7785]

Are you jacking it up using the rear diff skid plate?

[@Chase_Schrader]

Right! They are SKP loaded knuckles, definitely not using them again haha, yeah I use the rear diff skid plate! I just make sure I am going off the the rear part of it.

[@iansilver7785]

@@Chase_Schrader, I was going to replace both knuckles cause the bushing for the trailing arm is in it and needs replacing. But I've found a subie at the wreckers with really good parts on it, so I think I'll just get them from that and rebuild them. Thanks for letting us know :)

[@Chase_Schrader]

Nice! That's a good idea, it was helpful to have my old OEM ones to press in! I think I will eventually get some good OEM ones and do a full restoration

[@willshepherd4544]

:( Man, that sucks. I am just glad you got back safe and weren't out in the middle of nowhere when it happened.

[@Chase_Schrader]

Totally! But we are back and on the road and got a good learning experience from it!

[@brandonporambo]

If I'm going to the trouble of pressing in new bearings its timkin or bust. Good job on the format change, you sound much more natural. This was exactly what I was talking about on the stream.

[@Chase_Schrader]

Good to hear I made the right choice on these bearings, I am interested to how they handle all my adventures this winter! Thank you, after 8 years of on camera videos this format is a lot easier, but I am definitely looking to improve the voice overs for the big adventures!

[@brandonporambo]

​@@Chase_Schrader Looking forward to them. Have fun.

[@TheCreateOutdoors]

Was that a member only stream?

[@Chase_Schrader]

@@TheCreateOutdoors I am trying out public vertical live streams that go to member's only after they end! I am trying to do one a week!

[@mikeforester3963]

Driving a 2005 SG myself and had both rear bearings replaced in between two years (2022 - 2023) due to simply giving out and merrily humming along one after the other at about 200,000 km on the clock. They were obviously the original ones, and I took no chances putting in garbage. Costly service for each bearing (replacing suspension arms with it) but it's now so fresh and so clean. Go with Sreten's (M539) doctrine: OEM or bust!

[@Chase_Schrader]

Yeah my original ones lasted a crazy long time! Oh nice, I think I will have to do that when I do a full restoration on this car, OEM stuff is just crazy expensive up here! 150 for one rear wheel bearing!

[@markdoyle8713]

Love your content , i own a 2024 wilderness outback but i am not ready to run it full send for another few years. Sooo i am looking for an older forester to enjoy . And beat it like a rented mule. So your content checks the boxes. Rock on!

[@Chase_Schrader]

Glad to hear it! That totally makes sense, it’s hard to really push a new one that’s a good condition but when you have a beater it’s a different story haha

[@ZAZOOKING]

Also check they the brake calliper is not seized as it can cause excessive heat to damage the bearing.

[@Chase_Schrader]

Yup, I always have a temp gun in my car since I have had callipers lock up before aha

[@Modeltnick]

Sorry to hear about the bearing failure! I’ve experienced poor quality with aftermarket parts, particularly fuel pumps. I’m told that potholes or other shock loads will take out Subaru wheel bearings. Thanks for a great video!

[@Chase_Schrader]

Thanks, oh yeah I remember you telling me about it! Yeah that’s what I thought, maybe I’ll just have to get used to it with how hard I drive the car on the back roads haha

[@Modeltnick]

@ Thanks for your response! I think sticking with Timken or BCA bearings would make a huge difference! B

[@Chase_Schrader]

@@ModeltnickTrue that! Time will tell

[@GooseWurkz]

What camera and lens are you using? Quality is great!

[@Chase_Schrader]

Thank you, that means a lot as I’ve always been battling quality on KZbin, but I think I got the settings right in the last couple months! I use a mix of Sony cameras and lenses, but this one was primarily a A7III with a 35mm F1.8 I think!

[@GooseWurkz]

@@Chase_Schrader Thanks man! I'm going to order the same setup. I just picked up a 24 forester wilderness and wanna make some videos! Quality is top notch, keep up the great work! Cheers :)

[@Chase_Schrader]

Sweet, I appreciate that! Let me know when you get some Wilderness content uploaded!

[@TheCreateOutdoors]

We use Timkin at work, so they are much better of a quality. Looks like we both took Ls with our Foresters this month haha.

[@Chase_Schrader]

That's my thoughts, Timkin's are solid! We definitely took some hits with those Foresters, but we’ll get through it!

[@TheCraftyTech]

probably your rotor hitting the caliper bracket, I bet your axle nut was under torqued, I made the same mistake before, I just go tight as fuck now lol. Maybe im wrong! I got a $20 bearing up front on my forester from rock auto that I just left the inner seal out on, I've driven over 200000km with it so far. Always give your suspension a check after every wheeling trip and before any big road trip. and say hi when I see you at the ice track this year! haha,

[@Chase_Schrader]

Oh yeah it was 100% the rotor, since it was out that much. It was definitely torqued to the service manuals spec since it didn't shift the nut when I tore it down, and my fronts (different bearings) are going strong, I just think its bad parts haha Do it! I'm sure I will be out there this winter

[@mediocreman2]

I swear subarus have been secretly made in china for the last 23 years lol

[@Chase_Schrader]

Haha naw just the aftermarket parts I put in