Rear Hub Unit Bearing: Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Subaru Outback and 2006 Subaru Legacy. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Moving the rear tire up and down by hand, check there is no backlash in bearing, and check the wheel rotates smoothly.

Fig 1: Inspecting Rear Wheel Bearing Backlash
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Inspect the lean of axis direction using a dial gauge. Replace the hub bearing if the lean range exceed the limitation.
Service limit:

Maximum: 0.05 mm (0.0020 in)

Fig 2: Inspecting Lean Of Axis Direction
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.