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The short version
- The Subaru Baja wheel bearing front is a press-in assembly, 517008, with seals 1993 inner and 225650 outer.
- All of that covers the full 2003 to 2006 run.
- The rear uses a separate bearing module, 512183, across the same years.
- The front assembly is identical to the 1998 to 2008 Forester front.
Subaru built the Baja on the Legacy and Outback platform but gave it a truck bed. The wheel bearing hardware underneath came straight from the wagon side of the family.
One press-in assembly, two seals
The front Subaru Baja wheel bearing is a press-in assembly, part 517008. It pairs with inner seal 1993 and outer seal 225650.
All of this held steady across the Baja’s short 2003 to 2006 run.
Press-in bearing service is covered on the press-in bearings page, seal handling on the seals page.
Subaru Baja wheel bearing part numbers
| Years | Detail | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 to 2006 | Front bearing assembly | 517008 check price |
| 2003 to 2006 | Front inner seal | 1993 check price |
| 2003 to 2006 | Front outer seal | 225650 check price |
| 2003 to 2006 | Rear bearing module | 512183 check price |
Every model year this chart resolves: 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Price links lead to Amazon searches for that number. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases.
Lookups run through the cross reference page.
Press-in, not bolt-on
By the time the Baja launched, plenty of its competitors had already moved to sealed, bolt-on hub units up front.
The Baja kept a press-in assembly with separate seals instead. That means a press and more shop time, not just unbolting a cartridge.
Same hardware as the Forester
The front Subaru Baja wheel bearing setup is identical to the one on the 1998 to 2008 Forester, right down to both seal numbers. The Baja itself is a Legacy and Outback platform vehicle underneath its truck bed.
Symmetrical AWD wears every corner
Every Baja is all-wheel drive, with power going to all four corners rather than mostly the front axle. That spreads bearing wear more evenly than on a front-drive car.
A rear complaint deserves as much attention as a front one. Drivetrain layout and its effect on bearing life is covered on the drive type page.
Diagnosing a Subaru Baja wheel bearing
- Locate the noise by corner before ordering, front and rear parts differ.
- Check for play with the wheel off the ground rather than relying on sound alone.
- Inspect the press-in seals for grease weeping, a common early sign.
- Confirm access to a press before starting a front job.
- Treat rear complaints as seriously as front ones given the AWD layout.
The general check routine is on the checking page.
Common questions
Is the Baja front a bolt-on hub?
No. It is a press-in bearing assembly, 517008, with separate seals, not a sealed cartridge hub unit.
What fits the rear?
A separate bearing module, part 512183, for the full 2003 to 2006 run.
Does the Forester share these parts?
Yes. The 1998 to 2008 Forester front uses the identical assembly and both seal numbers.
Why does the front need a press?
It is a press-in design rather than a bolt-on cartridge. That was already becoming less common by the time the Baja launched.
Does AWD change how these wear?
It spreads load across all four corners instead of the front alone. Rear wear shows up more often than on a front-drive car.