tci_w2d

Here is what the dealer is saying now: He said it's a problem with the transmission. A nut on the back if the main shaft (I think) put pressure on the bearings so they need to be replaced and that's what made the rattling noise. Replacing them is $1400. There are small oil leaks all over the engine so the engine needs to be sealed for $2500. That seems expensive for just replacing bearing and sealing.

thanks very much. good to know.

Sorry for the sketchy details ... i'm new to this forum, but figured it was a good source for info (and proved to be true). It's a 1999 Forester, manual transmission, purchased used from CarMax about 4 years ago. I got it for my daughter in college and it now has 130ish miles. I recently had to replace the timing chain and replaced the clutch a couple years ago. She took it in to the dealer for a 130 mile check-up and because it was making a clunking noise. It's always been a rougher and noisey than my outback.

lol. Not sure if i'm that bold. The Forester is a 1999 and I bought it used 4 years ago. Thanks for your help.

thank you! great advice. the year is 1995 and he said because the vehicle had different tires on it (my bad, I didn't know), the differential an/or transfer case could be the cause of the rattling clunking noise. it's my daughters car and it's old so i don't know if i should give it up or put the money into it. recently replaced timing chain too.

dealer said forester differential and transfer case was bad and could cost $4500 to repair. does that sound right?