Parts for your 2017 Subaru Outback-Wheel hubs

2017 Subaru Outback wheel hubs — purpose, care, and when to replace

Based on Subaru’s own technical documentation and parts listings (Subaru Technical Information System service manual for BN/BS Legacy/Outback, Wheel Bearing/Hub Unit sections, and the Subaru Genuine Parts Catalogue for the 2015–2019 Outback platform), the 2017 Subaru Outback is fitted with bolt-on wheel hub and bearing assemblies on all four corners. So yes — wheel hubs are absolutely used on this model.

On a 2017 Outback, the hub unit does more than just give the wheel something to bolt onto. Each assembly houses a sealed bearing that lets the wheel spin smoothly, carries the vehicle’s weight, and provides the mounting face for the brake rotor. The hub also contains a magnetic encoder ring that the ABS/Vehicle Dynamics Control system reads, helping the car manage traction and braking on-road and on gravel. It’s a hard-working, sealed component, designed to be low maintenance and reliable over big kilometres.

Because they’re sealed, wheel hubs on this Outback aren’t serviceable in the traditional sense — there’s no greasing or bearing adjustment. Good servicing focuses on inspection and prevention. At each service, a technician should:

• Spin each wheel and listen for rumbling or grinding, especially between 60–80 km/h on a road test.
• Check for play with the wheel off the ground (movement at 12 and 6 o’clock), and look for uneven tyre wear.
• Inspect ABS sensor wiring and keep the back of the hub area free from built-up mud or corrosion.
• Verify wheel nut torque to factory spec and avoid overtightening with rattle guns.

Tell-tale signs a hub is due include a humming that gets louder with speed or when loading one side in a bend, ABS or stability control warnings, or noticeable free play. Once a hub is noisy or loose, the fix is replacement of the complete hub unit. It’s a straightforward bolt-off/bolt-on job: brake caliper and rotor off, ABS sensor carefully removed, four hub bolts out, then the hub slides from the knuckle. On rear hubs, the electronic parking brake should be placed in service mode before work. Front-end alignment usually isn’t required unless the strut-to-knuckle or suspension geometry is disturbed, but it’s smart to check alignment after any major front-end work.

A quality OEM-equivalent hub and correct torqueing (per Subaru’s service manual) are key. After installation, a short shakedown drive to confirm quiet operation and a clean ABS light finishes the job — ready for more open-road trips across Aotearoa or the Aussie outback.

Popular questions about 2017 Subaru Outback wheel hubs

How can someone tell a hub is failing on a 2017 Outback?

Most drivers first notice a low humming or growl that changes with road speed and often gets louder when turning slightly one way. There may also be a faint vibration through the floor. In the workshop, play at the wheel and a rough feel when spinning by hand usually confirm it. An ABS or stability control warning can appear if the encoder signal degrades.

Do the bearings alone get replaced, or the whole hub unit?

On this model, the wheel bearing is integrated into a sealed hub unit, so the practical and recommended repair is to replace the full hub assembly. That ensures bearing preload, sealing, and the ABS encoder are all correct and restored in one go.

Is a wheel alignment needed after hub replacement?

Not typically. Replacing the hub unit itself doesn’t change alignment angles. However, if strut-to-knuckle bolts are loosened or the knuckle is removed, get a wheel alignment checked afterwards to keep tyre wear even and steering true.