Hi
 

I have a 2003 outback wagon, auto, 2.5 with about 140,000
miles on it.  A couple of days ago I
noticed a high pitched whine that seems to be coming from the front.  It only occurs when the car is moving forward
at a very slow speed, like crawling around in a parking lot.  The whine does not change if the car moves a
little faster  but goes away completely
at normal driving speeds say 10 mph and up. 
The noise does not occur when going slowly in reverse.  Any ideas would be much appreciated.

 

thanks in advance

 

Have somone drain and check the front diff oil see if any meatal debries on magnet little ok alot bad i get thiss sound when front pinion berring is on its way out

 

Thanks for the reply. The noise is steady and does not reflect
the frequency of the wheels turning. 
Would that change your idea about it being a pinion bearing?

 

Pinion would get louder with speed and the sound would become higher pitched the faster you went.

 

Could be the power steering pump, a belt tensioner pulley, a number of things.

 

Does it vary with engine rev?

Ever make the noise while stationary?

While coasting in N?

 

It could be the noise doesn't go away as you speed up, but becomes masked by other noises.

 

Thanks for the reply. 
I went out to look at some of your ideas and sure enough the noise is
gone for now.  If and when it comes back
I look into your suggestions

 

exhaust heat shields

 

if it's making the noise at a certain speed and you shift into neutral and maintain the same speed does the noise stay present?

If it maintains while in neutral, I'd have your belts checked out. Mine have made obnoxious noises like that and have simply needed tightening.