intro, question and shamelessness

[mjb]

been lurking here for a while now, ever since i picked up my used (22k miles) 2001 legacy l wagon back in january this year. this is my first subaru, although my father has owned only subarus for like the last 20 years (xt, svx, outback, wrx), so i'm pretty familiar with them. i've already learned a lot from this message board...thanks everyone.

 

so, my question centers around a strange clicking noise coming from my back wheels (pretty sure it's both sides...but at least driver's side). i recently brought my legacy in to the dealer for the 30k service. ever since i picked it up, i'm getting a clicking sound from the rear wheels. it only seems to happen at low speeds (or the pitch changes at higher speeds and i can't hear it anymore or something). it sounds just like when you were a kid and put baseball cards on your bike to click on the spokes. it seems to correspond to wheel revolution (as opposed to rpm's). i've looked all around the area and don't see anything that could be making the noise. any ideas?

 

any generous souls (with a carfax hookup) mind running one for my new used car (didn't know about it when i was shopping...just curious now)? vin: 4s3bh635817301457 email: mbraunstein@wi.rr.com

 

take care.

 

mjb

[Adnan]

Hi,

 

Firstly, welcome!

 

As for the clicking noise, I'd check the brakes. Sometimes the caliper pistons retract just a little more than you'd expect, causing the pads to rattle around. If they are new, and an anti-squeal compound was not used (which normally takes up the slack), they may rattle or click.

 

Also, check the handbrake. While driving at low speed, with the sound audible, gently pull up on the handbrake, one click at a time (no pun intended; well, okay, intended) and see if it stops. Perhaps the parking pads/shoes are the culprit.

 

Regards,

Adnan