RCWD21 Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 This is my first post here and also my first subaru. I really enjoy this car a lot more than I thought I would. It's a 1998 Subaru Impreza L Wagon with the ej22. It's got a very small amount of rust and a few dings from someone shooting it with a bb gun but that fix is for later. My big issue right now is a classic noise front end. At first I thought it was the rear wheel bearings from what I have already read (got it inspected 5/31/16 and they said there was no play in the rear wheels). I put the FWD fuse in and the noise got slightly quieter like there was less load on something. I changel the front (it was super thin almost like penzoil syncromesh and fairly dark) and rear differential (80/90w but dark) fluid today with some fresh 80/90w and some Hyper lube oil additive just because I had a half bottle laying around. Went around the block and everything seemed ok. Went for a 10 mile test drive and around 5 or 6 miles in the noise got louder and higher pitched than before. Strangely since the fluid change the noise which I thought was coming from the rear has become more pronounced basically right between the front seats maybe a little more under the shift lever. The noise sounds like straight cut gears and it is most prominent when cruising and light throttle while at speed and also while slowing down/ coasting. It's the loudest above about 30mph and will sometimes almost completely go away at random speeds (it went away for a few seconds with 3 people in the car and going over a bridge with the body moving up and down). It's becoming somewhat worrying as I have a trip to Ohio coming up as soon as funds and time allow (1400 mile round trip) and I want this thing to get there and back no problem. I haven't checked for much besides changing the differential fluids and driving around trying to localize the problem. There are very few subarus in the junkyards near me and what I've found online near me is pretty expensive and the condition is sometimes questionable. I'm very mechanically inclined and have access to almost $10k worth of snap on tools and pretty much everything I've ever needed to do my own work. Does anyone have any idea where to look or go next? This noise doesn't sound like a wheel bearing or grinding gears. It sounds like a gear whine that will sometimes go away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCWD21 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 Alright, more info on the situation. I took the same route as in my first post but this time with the FWD fuse installed. The noise was still there but it was slightly quieter but more high pitched almost to the point that I couldn't really hear it over the normal road noise. With the way these cars are the noise seems to echo all throughout the cabin so I would assume that it's a vabrational noise due to a bad bearing which is what I've basically come to conclude that it is. Now I have one huge question that I can't seem to find the answer to. Does anyone have the part number for the front front pinion shaft bearing? I found the subaru number but haven't looked into it much as to something that will cross over etc. I did look at the gears up through the drain hole earlier during the fluid change and the teeth on the gears looked fine to me but I'm not 100% sure. I'm hoping I've caught the problem soon enough since the noise is still a whine and not a grinding sound and simply replacing the bearing (and also giving me an opportunity to clean and reseal the engine) will take care of the problem. And one last question, does anyone know where I could get a service manual for this car/ transmission? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 The Subaru FSMs are readily available fre online. These wheel bearings rstelynseebay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCWD21 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 I don't understand what you just said.. as for the fsm I'll look into it more today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 you could try doing 3 drain/fill/drive cycles on the transmission. make sure to check its fluid level while idling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCWD21 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 I'm probably over thinking this but just to clear it up, the pinion shaft lives in ATF right? I would assume so, I'm still learning about the 4eat. I'm much more familiar with the RE4R01A transmissions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCWD21 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 Alright well I came home to check the atf level and it smells like gear oil... so what are my options now? Rebuild the front diff? Or would just finding a used transmission be the easiest option? I don't really have the money or time to do either.. Does anyone have PART NUMBERS for the pinion bearings and the front pinion shaft seal??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 (edited) it's easy for people to get the drains/fill tubes confused, even reported that a dealership did that once! If you think that's part of the problem, find a way to get ALL the trans fluid out. Some people have used 2 buckets and the lines to the trans cooler to let the trans pump suck in new fluid and spit out the old. Because there's fluid left in the TC, even the frquently advised 3 drain/fill cycles could still leave 15% 'bad' fluid in there. front diff and engine oil might be suspect too if someone else has done those fluids. check www.opposedforces.com , dig around and you find part numbers. Edited June 2, 2016 by 1 Lucky Texan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCWD21 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 I got all the correct fluids in the correct place. When I drained the front diff yesterday the fluid was very thin. I also checked the atf to see the color off it and it didn't smell like gear oil until I changed the front diff fluid yesterday. I've read that the seal on the pinion shaft rarely fails and the orings on the torque converter tube are more likely. But with a bad bearing allowing the front pinion shaft to walk I wouldn't be suprised if it actually is the pinion seal. I've found diagrams with the part numbers finally and just the front bearing is $165. I'm still getting part numbers and prices but the diagrams really help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 consider a trans from a wreck - might have fewer miles too, LKQ or car-part.com final drive MUST match rear diff of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCWD21 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 I'm going to get a price of all the needed parts and weigh that against a used transmission. The thing holding me off from a used transmission is this whole situation being a problem in the new one or it starting shortly after the warranty runs out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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