porcupine73 Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 I replaced the front left axle and the seal where it slides into the hub on my '96 Legacy with a genuine Subaru reman. But now, at certain times, it makes this kind of metal rubbing on metal sound. It almost sounds like a heat shield rattle. It only does it above maybe 10-15 mph, while accelerating or maintaining speed. When coasting, it does not make any sound. It does not make any sound below 10-15 mph. I put the FWD fuse in, lifted the front wheels, and ran it up to around 30 mph, and it made no sound. Rotating the tires by hand I hear nothing. I feel nothing strange when rotating the tires by hand. It was quiet before I replaced the axle. The sound goes with the wheel speed. It doesn't shimmy or shake or anything or feel strange at all; it just makes that sound. It's loud enough to be irritating. I checked it over, I see nothing rubbing, the brake backing plate is not rubbing. I don't know what else to do/check? Could the axle be faulty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
propane Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 OK, did the replacement axle have a shiny metal ring (4' dia) on the distal end? think its called a dust shield, purpose being to keep things from damaging seal U replaced. My favorite stupid trick would be to slam a new Auto Z axle with one of those on it, not realising there was was one already embedded in outer hub. Got to be a habit to prune the sucker off and use it as ring toss..rarely do I disagree w/ OE engineering, this is supposed to rotate w/ axle? If it is canted, will rub on the hub or embed and the axle turning will wallow out the fit (light press fitment) maybe others have a diff take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 i would check the backing plate. if it was bent during the struggle, it could be dragging on the rotor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted November 13, 2011 Author Share Posted November 13, 2011 Thanks, I'm going to look at it some more right now. I was listening to it more while driving today and it sounds like it is coming from the diff end more than the wheel end. It sounds like metal on metal but when not accelerating or coasting a bit it will get intermittent. Doesn't make any noise at low speeds just when you get above 10-15mph. I hope I didn't screw up the differential somehow. I don't think the stub shaft pulled out at all when I took the old one off but I will have to take a closer look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted November 13, 2011 Author Share Posted November 13, 2011 Hm now I don't know. I put the old axle back in but it is still making this noise. It seems to be coming from the front differential area though it's hard to tell for sure while inside the vehicle. I did mess around a little bit with some of the heat shields above the rear driveshaft now that I think about it, hopefully it is one of those rubbing but it doesn't sound like it's coming from back that far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 I vote backing plate rubbing on the rotor. Too common to not check it. Those things are flimsy as hell and alot of times they get bent without even knowing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porcupine73 Posted November 13, 2011 Author Share Posted November 13, 2011 (edited) Thanks I will double check the backing plate. I didn't see it touching the rotor anywhere. It's also weird how it seems to make this noise only at certain times and I can't get any noise doing it by hand or with no load on the wheels. I THINK I FOUND IT!!!!!! The heat shield above the rear cat was touching the driveshaft it looks like. I can see rub marks on the driveshaft. So I bent it down some. I think I must've bent it up while replacing the rear o2 sensor: http://ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=127661 I think I did the rear o2 on Friday night, then did the axle Saturday and hadn't driven it in between. Going to take a quick test drive to make sure sound is gone, then put the new axle back in....I hope!!!!!!!!!!! Edited November 13, 2011 by porcupine73 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subruise Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 just a thought, i had a simalar issue with my loyale wag. I had neglected to route me e-brake cable correctly upon re-instulation. check that thing. hth RV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvjudge Posted April 8, 2015 Share Posted April 8, 2015 On my 2005 Baja it was the backing plate. The lower portion was rubbing on the rotor making an occasional squeel and a high pitched vibration at times. This was number 3 axil change for me gfuess i was too confident and forgopt to check that annoying flimsey backing plate. Thanks for the tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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