The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

I have a MY07 Subaru Outback 2.5i with manual transmission. The vehicle has 90,000km on the clock.

It has developed a transmission/diff noise whilst driving under the following conditions:

Noise is most audible above 60km/h.

Sounds like a gear noise as opposed to a bearing noise as the pitch or whine changes as the speed increases.

Clutch depressed or gear changes do not affect noise.

I am hoping that there may be a common problem with these vehicles that presents these symptoms.

I have not checked transmission oil yet for metal on magnet (if they have them). Any advice would be appreciated.

Vehicle also had a a solid flywheel installed under warranty at about 70,000km (due to shudder in dual mass setup). I did notice that the transmission seemed noisy after the clutch was installed however I put it down to slight vibration after removal of the dual mass setup.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Dingo

I should have added that the noise/pitch doesn't change on/off load.

Welcome to the forum.

Looks to me that it'll be a wheel bearing. Where is the noise from exactly? And I'm presuming that you can't hear it when the vehicle is stationary with the engine running.

Cheers

Bennie

Definitely check the wheel bearings. Very common for the LHR one to go. If you can get the car on a hoist and have the wheels turning in gear and listen around with screwdriver ( I use a stethoscope) and pin point the noise.

Thanks - will check bearings. I was almost convinced it had to be centre diff or transfer case as it sounds like it's from this area.

dingo75 wrote:I was almost convinced it had to be centre diff or transfer case as it sounds like it's from this area.

For your trivial knowledge (I some how hang onto trivial stuff) - anyway, the "transfer case" on a subaru is on the input shaft above the front diff. It's nothing like a traditional 4wd gearbox

Here's a pic of an EA82 L series box, it's basically the same until you get into the centre diff area:



I hope it's a bearing - much cheaper than a gearbox!

Cheers

Bennie

Centre diff possibly but with that low km it's unlikely..

Ive heard of this but i cannot remember - someone mentioned it was centre diff issue and got it replaced.
I would get someone in the back of the car while you're driving to locate the noise location while in motion - country road is best place to do so.

Yes there is an magnet on the drain plug.
Cheers
AP

My '02 WRX had that noise for a short while until I broke the transmission one night.
Too much torque at 5000 rpm in 2nd gear.

Thanks to all those that posted.

Ended up being "centre diff" local subaru dealer completed repair within 1 day (so I assume it's a common complaint).

Although the vehicle is 6 years old Subaru assisted with 50% of cost. Total cost to me was 1500.

Noise developed quickly after I posted this and started to change with loading.

Anyway all good now - still a bit disappointed considering how many km's on vehicle. I also missed out on seeing damaged parts (I still like to do that) due to no time & being the missus's car.

Lets hope it will be all good for another 2-3 years before I replace it.

Cheers,

Dingo.

Did Subaru explain why it went so early?

IT could have gone worse then would have become un-drivable which you mistaken think that the clutch is gone but its the centre diff.
Cheers
AP