Subaru Outback [Legacy] AWD Wheel Seal Costs
The average cost for a Subaru Outback [Legacy] AWD Wheel Seal Replacement is between $74 - $137. Get an instant quote with our AI repair estimator.
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What is a Wheel Seal?
A wheel seal is a critical component in a vehicle's wheel assembly that serves as a barrier to protect the bearings from contaminants such as dirt, moisture, and debris. Implemented between the wheel bearings and the surrounding elements, wheel seals ensure the longevity and proper functioning of the bearings by keeping the lubrication intact and preventing contamination. This component plays a vital role in maintaining the efficiency and safety of your vehicle, as compromised wheel seals can lead to damaged bearings, reduced wheel performance, and potential wheel failure. Constructed from durable materials, wheel seals are designed to withstand the harsh environment of constant wheel rotation and various road conditions.
Symptoms of a Faulty Wheel Seal
Recognizing the symptoms of a faulty wheel seal is essential to maintain the reliability and safety of your vehicle. One of the most common indicators is the presence of grease leakage. If you notice grease on the outer edge of your wheels or on the ground beneath your parked vehicle, it could suggest a compromised wheel seal. Additionally, an unusual noise from the wheels, such as grinding or rumbling, as you drive might indicate that the wheel bearings are not properly shielded due to a failing seal. Over time, you might also experience wheel vibrations while driving or a noticeable decrease in handling and steering ability. It's important to address these symptoms promptly, as neglecting a faulty wheel seal can lead to further damage, including complete bearing failure, which can significantly increase repair costs and cause safety hazards.
How Urgent is Wheel Seal Replacement?
Replacing a faulty wheel seal is a moderate to high urgency repair, depending on the severity of the symptoms. If left unattended, a leaking wheel seal can lead to dirt and debris entering the wheel bearings, causing accelerated wear and even catastrophic failure. This can result in increased repair costs and potential safety issues, such as loss of vehicle control. Therefore, if you observe any signs of dysfunction, especially leakage or unusual noises, it is wise to expedite the repair to maintain vehicle safety and prevent more extensive damage.
How Much Does Wheel Seal Replacement Cost?
The cost for replacing a wheel seal varies based on the make and model of the vehicle as well as the labor rates in your area. On average, you can expect to pay between $150 and $300 for a wheel seal replacement, which includes both parts and labor. The wheel seal itself is generally inexpensive, but the labor can be more significant due to the necessity of removing the wheel and sometimes additional components. Obtaining quotes from various repair shops can help ensure you receive a fair price for this essential maintenance task.
5 FAQs about Wheel Seals
- What happens if a wheel seal fails?
If a wheel seal fails, it exposes the wheel bearings to contamination, leading to accelerated wear. This can result in noisy operation, poor vehicle handling, and eventually, complete bearing failure, which can be dangerous and costly to repair. - Can I drive my car with a leaking wheel seal?
While it may be possible to drive for a short period with a leaking wheel seal, it is not recommended due to the risk of bearing damage and potential safety hazards. Prompt attention to the issue is advised. - How often do wheel seals need to be replaced?
Wheel seals generally last for tens of thousands of miles, often aligning with major service intervals or bearing replacement schedules. Regular inspections during tire rotations or brake services can help detect seal wear early. - How can I prevent wheel seal failure?
Regular maintenance check-ups, proper installation, and ensuring your vehicle's wheels are free from excessive contamination can prevent premature wheel seal failure. Replacing other worn parts can also help maintain the integrity of the seals. - Are wheel seals the same as hub seals?
While wheel seals and hub seals serve similar functions of protecting bearings from contaminants, the terms are not entirely interchangeable. Hub seals are typically found in vehicles with hub assemblies like trucks, whereas wheel seals are more common in standard passenger vehicles.
Dev Output
1997 Subaru Outback [Legacy] AWD F4-2.5L DOHC - Wheel Seal Costs
Parts: $29.00Labor: $63.00{ "partPrice": 29, "laborPrice": 63, "alldata_id": 40587, "alldata_vehicle_id": 40587, "title": "Wheel Seal", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Front Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Hub Seals", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Inner", "part": [ { "name": "Wheel Bearings & Seals, Seals", "price": "13.75", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "28015AA080" } ] }, { "name": "Outer", "part": [ { "name": "Wheel Bearings & Seals, Seals", "price": "8.83", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "28015AA070" } ] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Rear Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Hub Seals", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "4WD", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Outer", "part": [ { "name": "Wheel Bearings & Seals, Seals", "price": "13.25", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "28015AA090" } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Front Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Outer Seal", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "4.1", "warrantytime": "2.7" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "5.7", "warrantytime": "3.7" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Rear Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "4WD", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "2.1", "warrantytime": "1.5" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "With 4WD ABS, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.7", "warrantytime": "0.4" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.8" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "With 4WD Rear Drums, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "3.6", "warrantytime": "2.6" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "With 4WD ABS, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.7", "warrantytime": "0.4" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.8" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "With 4WD Rear Drums, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "year": 1997, "make": "Subaru", "model": "Outback [Legacy] AWD", "engine": "F4-2.5L DOHC" }1996 Subaru Outback [Legacy] AWD F4-2.2L SOHC - Wheel Seal Costs
Parts: $46.00Labor: $78.00{ "partPrice": 46, "laborPrice": 78, "alldata_id": 37105, "alldata_vehicle_id": 37105, "title": "Wheel Seal", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Front Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Hub Seals", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Inner", "part": [ { "name": "Wheel Bearings & Seals, Seals", "price": "13.75", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "28015AA080" } ] }, { "name": "Outer", "part": [ { "name": "Wheel Bearings & Seals, Seals", "price": "8.83", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "28015AA070" } ] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Rear Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Hub Seals", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "2WD", "note": "Part Of Rear Hub Assembly." }, { "name": "4WD", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Outer", "part": [ { "name": "Wheel Bearings & Seals, Seals", "price": "13.25", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "28015AA090" } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Front Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Outer Seal", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "4.1", "warrantytime": "2.7" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "5.7", "warrantytime": "3.7" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Rear Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "2WD", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "With 4WD ABS, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.7", "warrantytime": "0.4" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.8" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "With 4WD Rear Drums, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.8", "warrantytime": "0.5" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "With 4WD ABS, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.7", "warrantytime": "0.4" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.8" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "With 4WD Rear Drums, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, { "name": "4WD", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "2.1", "warrantytime": "1.5" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "With 4WD ABS, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.7", "warrantytime": "0.4" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.8" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "With 4WD Rear Drums, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "3.6", "warrantytime": "2.6" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "With 4WD ABS, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.7", "warrantytime": "0.4" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.8" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "With 4WD Rear Drums, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "year": 1996, "make": "Subaru", "model": "Outback [Legacy] AWD", "engine": "F4-2.2L SOHC" }1996 Subaru Outback [Legacy] AWD F4-2.5L DOHC - Wheel Seal Costs
Parts: $4.00Labor: $91.00{ "partPrice": 4, "laborPrice": 91, "alldata_id": 40592, "alldata_vehicle_id": 40592, "title": "Wheel Seal", "parts": { "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Front Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Hub Seals", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Inner", "part": [ { "name": "Wheel Bearings & Seals, Seals", "price": "13.75", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "28015AA080" } ] }, { "name": "Outer", "part": [ { "name": "Wheel Bearings & Seals, Seals", "price": "8.83", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "28015AA070" } ] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Rear Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Hub Seals", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "2WD", "note": "Part Of Rear Hub Assembly." }, { "name": "4WD", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Outer", "part": [ { "name": "Wheel Bearings & Seals, Seals", "price": "13.25", "pricecode": "", "partnumber": "28015AA090" } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "labors": { "operations": [ { "operation": "Replace", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Front Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "Outer Seal", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "4.1", "warrantytime": "2.7" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "5.7", "warrantytime": "3.7" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Rear Suspension", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "2WD", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "With 4WD ABS, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.7", "warrantytime": "0.4" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.8" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "With 4WD Rear Drums, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.8", "warrantytime": "0.5" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "With 4WD ABS, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.7", "warrantytime": "0.4" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.8" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "With 4WD Rear Drums, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, { "name": "4WD", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "2.1", "warrantytime": "1.5" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "With 4WD ABS, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.7", "warrantytime": "0.4" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.8" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "With 4WD Rear Drums, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "3.6", "warrantytime": "2.6" }, "qualifiers": [ { "name": "NOTE", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "With 4WD ABS, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.7", "warrantytime": "0.4" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "1.1", "warrantytime": "0.8" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] }, { "name": "With 4WD Rear Drums, Add", "qualifiers": [ { "name": "One Side", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] }, { "name": "Both Sides", "labor": { "skill": "B", "standardtime": "0.5", "warrantytime": "0.3" }, "qualifiers": [] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }, "year": 1996, "make": "Subaru", "model": "Outback [Legacy] AWD", "engine": "F4-2.5L DOHC" }