awsmdad

All - Quite a bit late, but thought would post for future reference to anyone googling. My issue was the gearing in the front of the transmission. Online the parts can be had, but limited by time (day job and family, can't afford to be without car for any time), turned oer to dealer. Cost was $1200, quite a bit more but got a newloaner car for the wife to drive and didn't need to give up my weekend (family happy). So, anyone searching, all wheel drive subaru, noise and slight vibration from front end under power, goes away when coasting, no difference turning, check transmission. Enjoy!

Was out of town for last few weeks. Going to pull front passenger side drive shaft. Any reason why I couldn't drive the car for a few miles with one drive shaft pulled?

Out of curiosity. It the problem is the front differential and I have to pull the transmission, is the 5MT from an 07 Forrester a drop in for a 5MT 09 Legacy?

Texan - Will jack up car tonight if I get out of work at a decent time. Can check bearings at least. Axel swap likely wait for the weekend. Yes, oil change myself. Prefer full synthetic and no way to know what the quick lube guys have in the tank. Nice people I'm sure. Dave - Sound is similar idea. Not exactly the same (could be cell phone audio, stationary car in garage vs highway). Follows same pattern. My issue isn't quite as loud and a little different pitch, but could be the recording. I may also have caught it a little sooner. Was really hoping it wasn't in the front diff. Little internet searching.....that looks like a serious pain in the a@@.

No recent service, other than engine oil last month. Car has 60K miles. No modifications, nothing replaced other than gas, oil, filters. Wasn't expecting any mechanical issues. Slight vibration with the sound. Any advice on how to troubleshoot inner axel vs. front diff bearing?

Have a 2009 Legacy NA with 5MT. Has a whine under acceleration coming from front of car. Pitch of the sound increases with speed. Noise is present but noticeably quieter coasting. Noise does not change when turning. Sounds like it is coming from front center, but can't be positive (could be more on passenger side). No, it is not an exhaust leak, vacuum hose, alternator bearing, etc. First thought was CV - but sound doesn't change when turning, no clunk,clunk,clunk Second thought was wheel bearing - but sound gets quieter when not accelerating (ie 30 mph and accelerating to 40 is louder than coasting from 40 down to 30). Lube level in diff is ok. Any thoughts are appreciated.