Polaridoo Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 I just bought a very nice (and my first) 1994 Subura Legacy sedan (front wheel drive) with a 5 speed. The car only has 57000 miles and is super clean... the only problem is it sounds like the transmission input shaft bearing(s) are going out. The symptom is a whine/wurring noise until the clutch is depressed. The one thing I cannot explain is that I also hear this noise very clearly in first gear... it does not seem very noticeable in the other gears. So, is it the input shaft bearings? Any other thoughts? It seems that I have read a few other threads regarding the input shaft bearings - were these a weak point for Subaru? Thanks for any input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 the older soob trans are pretty darn tough and i'd expect the transmission to outlive the rust and motor if maintained properly and driven lightly (offroad, towing and such are good causes for early failure). that it sounds louder in first may not mean much. at higher gears there is more road, wind and other noises to muffle the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaridoo Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 The only other thing that might contribute to the sound is that the previous owner put synthetic oil in the trans (Amsoil). I am wondering if the synthetic is not 'cushioning" the same way petroleum based oils would?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 synthetic oil should be fine so long as it's the proper weight. might not be a bad idea to change it out. but i hate to tell you to drain such expensive fluid. often people change tranny fluids if the trans is making noise so i'd guess the trans started making this noise and the owner either knew it himself or talked to someone who told him to change the fluid to see if that would help. i would guess that the noise was there before the fluid is more likely than the fluid causing the noise. unless of course the wrong weight was used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaridoo Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 Yeah, I think you are right. I think it was more wishful thinking on my behalf. Well, I guess I have my work cut out for me... Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 First off all: Maybe the noise is normal. Subaru gearboxes are noisy from new. A continuous whirring is to be expected. Only if it's uneven or punctuated by clacking/rumbling sounds should you worry. In the input shaft bearing is very worn, the car will occasionally jump out of first gear as you engage the clutch and move off. That's when you need to replace the bearings pronto! As for the oil, synth is fine, but different brands have different attributes. How is the shift from 2nd to 3rd in yours now? It should be a little bit sticky/stiff/recalcitrant but not make any crunching noises. My favourite trans oils for Subaru are Castrol "Syntorq" and Valvoline "Synpower". Both in the 75W-90 weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaridoo Posted August 30, 2005 Author Share Posted August 30, 2005 If the Subaru trans is normally a bit noisy then maybe mine is fine. All the gears shift excellent - including the 2nd to 3rd transition. The only two observations that my 'newbie' Subaru ears hear is input shaft bearing noise and a pronounced first gear whine (that changes up/down with the speed of the vehicle when in first gear). The bearing noise I am hearing is a perfectly even sound that maches the RPM of the motor while in neutral... no ticking, clacking, nothing... just a constant whirring noise until you press the clutch in and the shaft slows to a stop. Since I don't have much Subaru experience maybe this is just normal then? Any thoughts why first gear seems to be particularly noisy? Is that a normal Subaru thing too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted August 30, 2005 Share Posted August 30, 2005 Sounds like the bearings are ok. Bear in mind that you have two full size differentials in there to add to the cacophony. The first gear whine stems from almost straight-cut cogwheels in that gear. Kinda like reverse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaridoo Posted August 31, 2005 Author Share Posted August 31, 2005 Based on all the helpful insight, I think this might be a normal Subaru noise. I will keep a close eye on it just in case though. Thanks for all your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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