Well, I think the answer will be rear bearing but I thought I'd better be fully armed before I take it down to the local garage...

 

I have a regular noise from rear left. For want of a better description it goes 'whum whum whum' and appears to be in time with wheel revolutions. It is much louder when turning right. Braking has no effect. Tightness of turn does have some. Driving straight reduces it but I can still hear it.

 

Tires are recent/new throughout.

 

Any confirmation of the bearing diagnosis or alternatives are gratefully appreciated.

 

If it is the bearing, how complex is it to change, bearing (no pun intended) in mind that I have no facilities so it will be professionally (?) done.

 

Cheers, NIck

Sound's like bearing to me due to the increase in noise when that side is under load while cornering .

It's easy enough to remove the rear hub, brakes and handbrake assembly but you will need to get the bearings pressed out and new ones in again (with a hydraulic press)

So will probably need a garages help at some point but could save a bit on labour costs removing the hub yourself

Thank you for the confirmation. As I don't even have the facilities to do much more than actually remove the wheel (!) I guess I'll have to pay up. I hope they can squeeze me in as I have a 1000 drive to do next weekend and I don't think I dare leave it until after...

 

Best wishes, Nick

Does sound very much like bearing, with right tool you can do with hub still on car so no need remove lower hub lateral link bolt which can be the major pain ( they seize & need cutting/gas torch) when doing wheel bearing,

Do use a quality Japanese wheel bearing (one piece bearing cartridge) about £70 for quality bearing ) cheap non Jap bearings are junk & soon need replacing again, Labour 1hr if got right equipment & have no issues & know way around subarus.

Rear Diffs are known to have similar noise when LSD starts failing but your comments sound more like wheel bearing & that is most common too.

Thank you :)

A quick update. Yes, the bearing. I had both sides replaced. Ended up paying 440 pounds. I guess that's not exactly cheap but I had no time to chase around for a better deal and (as mentioned) no way of doing any of it myself. Sounds good now though!

Not cheap but hopefully quality bearing & decent fitting, My base price is £120 but this can go up to £180+ a side if need hubs off car & lateral links are seized & need new bolt etc.

Big part also depends on how garage source bearing as buying jap bearings direct from bearing specialist can be far cheaper (half the price for same bearing/seals) than ADL or Solid Ace bearing kits from autofactors.

We get NTN or NSK bearing kits which complete with seals, clip, hub nut etc for £40 & these are exactly same parts as Subaru use but not in Subaru branded box .

We use Bearing Shop Exeter but ICP do these as well I believe so you can order online if preferred & if can not fit yourself you can at least supply quality bearing & just sort labour cost.

Job jobbed without hassle & in your time frame which the main thing :-) ...