Hi all, it's time to get my front and back passenger side wheel bearings changed on my 2009 Subaru Forester.
What makes you believe it's time to replace them? What were the symptoms? It is not normal to need all 4 new bearings all at once. Usually, there would be a problem with one of them, then it would be up to you whether to replace the other side on the same axle (same end). There is no inherent need to replace the other one but the thinking is that it's probably got about the same wear since it is the same part on the same vehicle, but this is not as true for the other end, front vs rear bearings don't necessarily wear out at the same time, and unlike some work, it isn't necessarily any easier to do both at once instead of only one at a time. Some shops might give a price break for doing that but it sure doesn't look like
that shop is.
My local mechanic is quoting me at $1,700, with the break down below.
Rear hub assembly: 318
Front wheel ABS sensor: 190
Rear labor: 238
Front hub assembly: 238
Rear wheel ABS sensor: 381
Front labor: 214
Shop fees/taxes: 160
Please keep in mind my vehicle is 10 years old and VERY rusty, so I understand it might be tricky. But does this seem logical? Also, are the two sensors completely needed to take care of the wheel bearing? (I know nothing about this). Thanks!
That quote is at least twice what it should be, because of their excessive parts markup, but that isn't unusual for some shops. Again I'm not yet convinced that you really need all 4 hubs/bearings done or the ABS sensors.
You do not need new ABS sensors unless you are getting an ABS error code due to one (or more) not working. If the only problem is an ABS error, you might ONLY need a sensor, nothing else, though it is also possible that a failing hub bearing is throwing greasy metal onto the sensor if it sits inside the hub, or there is the possiblity that it breaks upon trying to remove it, OR it is external but very near the rear of the hub (and you'd see grease being spit out the hub seal onto it or the sensor ring, then those just need cleaned off, not replaced).