jereandjess

How can you tell if the sound coming from the drivers side front is the wheel bearing or if it is the outer CV joint? I get a grinding sorta sound when turning and going slowly sometimes. I can make the sound go away by turning the wheel a little. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks! 2000 Legacy Outback Limited Jeremy

So I just went out and started it and let it run for a couple minutes, thinking that it probably isn't a main crankcase bearing, and I know the oil level is good. I reved it up after a minute or 2 and when I got to @ 4000 rpm the sound went away, as the idle came down, the sound returned around 1500 rpm. I reved it up again to around 4000 and it came all the way down and now I can't get the sound to return. Also the smell has disappated. I am going to let it cool all the way down and go out in 2 hours or so and start it again and see if the chirping / smell returns. Does that change any assesment?

After searching through the archives here, I still am stumped. Perhaps you can help? 91 Legacy L Ready to sell it and of course as I was going to take it to the guy I started it in the driveway and there is a high pitched sqeak coming from the front of the engine, or so I believe to the best of my ability. It had been squeaking a little lately, but I attributed it to needing new belts, and it hasn't been constant like it is now. The thing that really got me concerned today was the smell that came with the squeaking today. That acrid smell of metal on metal, or burning clutch etc. My first thought was "Oh crap, shut off the engine" I was thinking a bearing somewhere. I checked the oil level, it was a little low, but not to the bottom mark on the dipstick. I filled it to the proper level and started it for another 30 sec or so just to see if it helped, and it did not. Same sound, same smell. Any suggestions? Are there any zerks on any of the pulleys that I might need to grease? How could I tell if the oil pump is doing it's job? Anxiously awaiting your suggestions. Thanks! ~Jeremy Forgot to add: EJ22 engine - in case it matters!

Well once I took the starter apart, instead of just the solenoid, the contacts do make themselves very evident! I went to the local auto electric place and bought a set of contacts for $2 and had the starter back in the car. Started up so much quicker than it has in years. So great to have the problem solved! Thank you all for your assistance and suggestions! ~Jeremy

So are the contacts in the solenoid? The brushes are down in the bottom of the solenoid, as I look at it with the part that goes into the bell housing facing up. Where are the contacts that you speak of? I just had the solenoid apart. Lots of black dust/film, a little electrical cleaner and it cleaned up really nicely. The brushes are in good shape to my eye. I put it back in and the same problem persists. I was really thinking that once I cleaned it all up that it would make a difference. It took 2 turns of the key to get it to start. Small improvement from 3, but still no where near ideal! Hmmmm. Any ideas where to look next?

Are the contacts that are spoken of here the same as "brushes". Is that a case of same thing, different words? I have the similar symptoms, cold mornings get in, turn the key, nothing except lights on the dash etc. Not much clicking as others have. Turn the key all the way on to engage the starter and back 3 times or so and then it kicks over. New Battery, good clean connections. 198,000 on the 91 Legacy manual. I think it is probably as simple as replacing the brushes, but the dealer closest to me I called said he could get "brush assembly", but it was $40 That is a bit different than the $5 mentioned here. Is there a parts list with numbers available for download anywhere or microfiche lists scanned anywhere? I have not had any luck tracking down numbers. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. ~Jeremy