Subaru release bearing... toast

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Jun 6, 2006
Messages
5,265
Location
North
Just completed a major service on the Forester. All triggered by a $60 release bearing. Boy was it toasted:



As a result I changed the clutch, decided to do a HG job, timing belt, new AC pulley, and a few other fun things (muffler, PCV, spart plugs, wire set, blockheater).

What I've learned is when you pull a subaru engine you might as well go all-in and avoid future labor costs.
 
Oh, to keep this on topic for the forum, since we pulled the engine we didn't need to swap the trans fluid, so I got to keep my relatively new Extra-S in there.
 
Subaru should help you with cost - Fuji had a spate of throwout bearing failure - many toasted by the release fork not releasing adequate distance allowing the bearing to spin down.
 
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
How many miles on this 6 year old Subie?


~100k miles

My goal is to drive it for another 5 years and 80 - 100k more miles.

I wish I had pictures under the valve cover, but they were spotless... I mean brand new looking.

I do have some pics of the cylinders, clutch/release bearing, and engine pull in general. I'll post them later.
 
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Subaru should help you with cost - Fuji had a spate of throwout bearing failure - many toasted by the release fork not releasing adequate distance allowing the bearing to spin down.


I've been out of warranty for a long time. What would the process be to contact them to determine if this is even a possibility?
 
2014-10-14%20014.JPG


2014-10-14%20018.JPG


Driver side cylinders:
2014-10-14%20019.JPG


New release bearing, all greased up and ready to go:
2014-10-14%20020.JPG


Passenger side cylinders:
2014-10-14%20021.JPG


2014-10-14%20025.JPG


New clutch kit installed:
2014-10-14%20030.JPG
 
thanks! that's beautiful! everything looks so clean and corrosion free! (how?!??!?!) and did you replace the HG's as a preventative measure? how long did all of this take you?
 
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
thanks! that's beautiful! everything looks so clean and corrosion free! (how?!??!?!) and did you replace the HG's as a preventative measure? how long did all of this take you?


I wish I could say I did this myself. I had planned to for a year and had all the parts purchased, itemized, and ready to go. With my job taking 60 hours a week I couldn't commit the time and didn't want to drive another winter with that bad release bearing. So I went with a reputable subaru specialist shop that I've worked with in the past. Small shop, great guys, let you stop in a take pics and participate.

Total labor = 12 hours @ $90/hour = $1080.

Passenger side HG had slight seeping on the bottom inside, right above the oil filter mount. I'm sure it could have gone another 30k-50k (km, 20-30k miles) before any real damage, so I suppose you could say it was preventative.

Regarding corrosion, I rust proof the car every year. You can see some corrosion on the oil pan and engine mounts where the rust proofing doesn't reach due to the plastic undercover, I'll be sure to hit that myself every year going forward, or remove the undercover before heading for the treatment.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
That mechanic looks like he's done a few of these jobs!


Sure has! Apparently he does 2-3 a week and has been with this particular garage for 3 years. Worked for a subaru dealer previously where he worked with the owner of this garage. I'm sure there's 3+ decades of subaru experience between them.

It's amazing to watch someone who really knows what they are doing on a soob
thumbsup2.gif
 
We had ours replaced for $400 labor+$50 parts in our 2005 Legacy GT exact same problem at 110k. Bad throw out bearing. Clutch at 110k was fine as an testament to my wife'sfine manual transmission driving.

My Subie specialist did it without removing the motor just moving it forward.

Of course this last year we burned up a valve and motor was pulled so again new throw out bearing as PM and pleothra of parts totaling $1600. Same OEM clutch at 172k! Expensive to repair cars sometimes.
 
Originally Posted By: webfors
…………..Passenger side HG had slight seeping on the bottom inside, right above the oil filter mount. I'm sure it could have gone another 30k-50k (km, 20-30k miles) before any real damage, so I suppose you could say it was preventative. …………….


Have you been using the Subaru coolant and additive?
 
Originally Posted By: SubLGT
Originally Posted By: webfors
…………..Passenger side HG had slight seeping on the bottom inside, right above the oil filter mount. I'm sure it could have gone another 30k-50k (km, 20-30k miles) before any real damage, so I suppose you could say it was preventative. …………….


Have you been using the Subaru coolant and additive?


I have been using the Subaru blue coolant, no conditioner.
 
Great work! Thanks for taking the time to post the pics.

I'll admit I'm paranoid of this bearing on my 2014 Subaru's 5spd.

I try to keep the clutch pedal mashed as little as possible, where I might not have been so conscious of this on other make/model manuals I've owned over the years.

For instance, I might have kept it in 1st, w/ the clutch depressed while waiting at a red light (other foot on brake). For the Subaru, I'll clutch - neutral - release. It doesn't slide easily into neutral w/out clutching most times, so I typically don't do this.
 
Originally Posted By: JTK
Great work! Thanks for taking the time to post the pics.

I'll admit I'm paranoid of this bearing on my 2014 Subaru's 5spd.

I try to keep the clutch pedal mashed as little as possible, where I might not have been so conscious of this on other make/model manuals I've owned over the years.

For instance, I might have kept it in 1st, w/ the clutch depressed while waiting at a red light (other foot on brake). For the Subaru, I'll clutch - neutral - release. It doesn't slide easily into neutral w/out clutching most times, so I typically don't do this.


Agreed. I was a chronic clutch holder at stop lights... as well as a downshifter and high rpm shifts. I suspect this all had something to do with the early demise. Your precautions will definitely help.

I think Subaru could have constructed/spec'd a much more durable bearing though. It doesn't looked sealed very well and is loaded with clutch disc debris.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top