williamhenry

I think we're probably right with the front differential, it is somewhat bothersome though that the noise (faint) is there when I put it in drive with now car movement. I believe the smart money is to see if I can get the local dealer to diagnose the problem. I have a transmission lined up for $850 but I'm not in a hurry and I will jack it up and recheck the front axles just to be sure. I did find my "friend" and got the receipt for the transmission rebuild which has a 3 year 36000 mile guarantee on it. There is only 6 miles and 2 years on the car since so maybe I can push a little there BUT .It is a long, long way to that shop - we'll see Thanks for the ideas.

I haven't had this all that long. Bought it from a "friend" so I could play in the snow in New Mexico last winter. I've been leaning to the front differential and hoping some one had a better answer. Running 70 and its growling like a mad woman with a broom then once on the step and powered back its quiet as a mouse. So, anybody worked a bad Pinion problem? If I remember correctly my "friend" had the ytransmission rebuilt about two years ago so I was thinking that maybe they screwed up putting the thing together with preloads etc. which pushed me to think differential. This is my toy and I'm really happy with it so much so that when the lease is up on my wife's SUV (ugh) she is going to be driving a relatively new Outback!!!! We' can have some fun putting this one back in shape to go up againest my son's Wagoneer in the New Mexico this coming winter. Any comments on how to approach this little task -assuming we decide it is the differential.

The tires are all exactly the same make model and thread depth. Just replaced the exhaust system when I had the rear drive shaft replaced. When I had the work done on drive shaft the mechanic thought that I had "What happens to all Subaru" and that was front drive problems which would require a "very expensive visit" to my friendly Subaru Dealer. What I think is significant is that the noise starts immediately when you put it in drive-faint but noticeable and the car is not moving.. The noise then increases directly proportional to the load is placed on the drive train - the load not the speed, back of on the throttle at 70 mph and the car is quiet!! Transmission or Front Differential?? I sure like to get a better handle on the problem before I expose my wallet again. Appreciate the responses so far thanks guys.

People, I have a 2002 LL Bean Outback and it has developed a growling noise whenever I am pushing power to the drive train. Coasting it runs quiet but the faster you more you push it the louder its gets. Sitting at idle everything is quiet but slip it into drive the rumble grumble starts. I replaced the rear drive shaft due to noise and it helped some but the rumble seems to be in the transmission(?)/front diff(?) - Its a great one owner car with 160,000 mile on it.hard to find a mechanic who knows the machine>Appreciate any suggestions, advice, thoughts