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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

19285 messages,  Last post on Jun 03, 2013 at 10:22 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV


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Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

Messages Page 733 of 1930

#7314 of 19285 Forester axle or transmission? by john176

Jan 31, 2007 (12:04 pm)

Hello! I'm new here. I have a 2000 Forester with 106,000 miles. We've been noticing strange symptoms, which have been checked out at 3 different reputable places. The last place, a transmission center, says they're all tied to an "internal differential" problem, and we're going to have to get a whole new rebuilt transmission for $2900.00. But others I've talked to by phone say the symptoms sound like axle problems. I want to avoid paying $2900.00 only to find it doesn't solve the problems and then having to fix the axle. The only 2 symptoms we are having are: When you first start driving the car in the morning, there is a loud knocking/ticking sound that occurs while the tires are straightening out AFTER a turn (it rarely makes the sound while the while is turned). The other symptoms is a feeling, at higher speeds (40 or higher), that the wheels are going to fly off--it feels "loose" and wobbly, as if you're driving over a very bumpy road. The engine sounds good, no check engine light, no other symptoms but these two. Does this sound like an axle problem or differential/transmission? They claim the boots all look perfect from the outside. The tires are excellent, in good alignment, and have been recently rotated. Thanks for any advice! It doesn't seem like I should have to replace a transmission on a fairly young Subaru!

#7315 of 19285 Re: Forester axle or transmission? [john176] by c_hunter

Jan 31, 2007 (12:23 pm)

Replying to: john176 (Jan 31, 2007 12:04 pm)
Does not sound like trans to me.
 
Has a Subaru dealer looked at it?

#7316 of 19285 Re: Forester axle or transmission? [john176] by ateixeira

Jan 31, 2007 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: john176 (Jan 31, 2007 12:04 pm)
Put it in neutral. If the problems occurs when you are coasting it is not the tranny.
 
Should be easy enough to find out.
 
-juice

#7317 of 19285 Re: Percent-wise [fibber2] by ateixeira

Jan 31, 2007 (1:07 pm)

Replying to: fibber2 (Jan 31, 2007 9:46 am)
A battery should be a pretty routine swap, but maybe they are more thorough and spray that red stuff on the terminals, reset the alarm and/or keyless entry system, or test the alternator (and charging system) in the process.
 
We shouldn't assume they're ripping off little old ladies if they're actually doing all of the above.
 
Shoot, my dealer charges $85 to read a diagnostic code. That takes me about 30 seconds with my cheapie Actron OBD2 scanner.
 
-juice

#7318 of 19285 Re: Forester axle or transmission? [john176] by solowalker

Jan 31, 2007 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: john176 (Jan 31, 2007 12:04 pm)
if you have an "internal Differential" problem, why whould they recommend a rebuilt transmission?
I have a 2000 forester S with 104,000 and It's mechanically perfect... I just bought a new Outlander and am now selling the Forester privately for $6,700...($2900 for a rebuilt tranny is almost half the cost of a good used forester}
I think they want to rip you off..I would drive with the pesky noise until the problem defines itself more clearly..

#7319 of 19285 Re: Forester axle or transmission? [john176] by samiam_68

Jan 31, 2007 (1:30 pm)

Replying to: john176 (Jan 31, 2007 12:04 pm)
Did you check all the lug nuts? Could be loose, or could be over-tightened. I would retorque them all to specs with a clicker torque wrench and see if the problem goes away.

#7320 of 19285 Re: Forester axle or transmission? [samiam_68] by xwesx

Jan 31, 2007 (2:01 pm)

Replying to: samiam_68 (Jan 31, 2007 1:30 pm)
That is strange. Almost points more toward a problem in the steering system than the drive system. Maybe bad ball joint(s) in the tie rods. I know that my old '69 Econoline has a worn out ball joint in the steering and its symptoms are similar, though not as consistent, as what you are describing.
 
If it was a differential problem, I would expect to see the symptoms appear more readily under high-stress situations, like while accelerating or actively turning in a tight radius. Driving straight down a highway is not high-stress. As for transmission, it does not sound like that at all.
 
FWIW, the center differential lives in the same housing as the transmission, so a full replacement entails replacement of both units. It is spendy, so should not be considered lightly.

#7321 of 19285 Definitely doesn't sound like the diffy (front or center) by paisan

Jan 31, 2007 (2:23 pm)

It sounds more like a wheel bearing, ball joint, tie rod end type of sound from your description. Also doesn't sound like an axle.
 
-mike

#7322 of 19285 Re: Definitely doesn't sound like the diffy (front or center) [paisan] by john176

Jan 31, 2007 (3:32 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Jan 31, 2007 2:23 pm)
Thanks, everybody--you all have been extremely helpful. I'm glad we didn't tell them to go ahead. I will take it to a Subaru dealership and see what they find out. I printed all these responses for reference. Thanks again! Glad I found this place!
-John

#7323 of 19285 Re: Forester axle or transmission? [ateixeira] by john176

Jan 31, 2007 (3:35 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 31, 2007 1:04 pm)
Thanks for your reply. Actually, they did put it in neutral and found that the vibration stopped entirely, which is why they thought it was a differential problem. Do you agree?
 
-John

Messages Page 733 of 1930

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