So I recently picked up a 95 Legacy Sedan, 5 speed, with 141,000 miles. It had a torn axle boot up front, and one red flag was that it had different tires, front and rear (I don't remember which were newer). During the test drive I took it to a parking lot and did a bunch of circles in both directions with the wheel fully turned - no clicking. Anyway, I immediately got new Michelin's and had the axle replace, which made a huge difference. I know I should have had the stock boot replaced, but so be it. Anyway, there was still something loose in the front end, and the shop just replaced some sway bar bushings. That seems to have helped.

 

The remaining problem, and it's been there from the beginning, is a low level vibration. It's most noticeable once you get to 40 or so, but if I coast down I can feel it continue at lower speeds - it just gets harder to notice as the frequency slows down. The pitch stays the same though. It doesn't matter whether I'm coasting in neutral or have a gear engaged. It also doesn't change if I go around a curve.

 

I only paid $1300 for it, so I can still afford to do some work and come out ahead. Any thoughts on what it might be? I do have a set of jack stands to do some testing, but I'm not really sure what to look for.

Check the universal joints in the drive shaft, you may have on that is seized.

U- joint is a good possibility. Bent wheel or bad axle come to mind too.

Clicking is only for outer CV joints. When the inner joints wear they tend to just get out of center a little and wobble. Makes the whole axle shaft move in a circle as it spins. Kinda hard to check though.

U- joint is a good possibility. Bent wheel or bad axle come to mind too.

Clicking is only for outer CV joints. When the inner joints wear they tend to just get out of center a little and wobble. Makes the whole axle shaft move in a circle as it spins. Kinda hard to check though.

 

I always wondered about that. If they would thump or otherwise have a symptom.

You may have to drop the shaft to check it, but considering what can go wrong if you dont check it, well worth it.

 

Usually the vibration starts at 80, then slowly will start at 70, then 60 etx. If yours starts at 40 worth an inspection sooner then later.

 

Also another possability is inner cv joints.

 

 

Have you tried just rotating tires one side at a time to see what happens, as it is fast and simple.

Did you ever fix this issue? I'm having the exact same problem on my 96 impreza outback