Hello   I need advice.  I have a 2005 Outback  ( given to me by brother 2 years ago)  Now has 50,000 miles.  Last week the left front axle boot had to be replaced.  Now we hear a clicking noise when steering left.  The mechanic checked it and said it is NOT the replaced axle and boot. I was just told it is the "transfer case"  He said they have to take it apart to see what is wrong--cost $900.  If the entire things is fried, it will cost $3,000! Is this making sense to any of you guys?   We have never owned a Subaru before so have no experience with this type of vehicle.

 

thanks

Clicking = a differential? Not unless it is a heluva click.

 

Does he mean front diff or the part that couples power to the rear wheels?

 

Auto or manual?

it an automatic   at first he said it was the front diff, now he is saying it is the transfer case   when I asked he said it is "the four wheel drive."  I am going to personally speak to him tomorrow.  I got this initial bad news over the phone.  I should add that in addition to the "clicking noise, the car has a vibration when the engine is running but the car is not moving   -like at a stop light.

 

I am learning about subarus from reading these other posts., so I appreciate it.  I also spoke to someone just today who got rid of his 1998 when the head gasket blew--seems that is a problem with many cars.

I would bew very surprised if the multi-plate clutch AWD unit was clicking... does the AWD seem to work?

 

Putting in the FWD fuse puts it in front-wheel drive mode and is handy for diagnostics.

The mechanic checked it and said it is NOT the replaced axle and boot.

 

Did he use a OE axle? You can get very unlucky with these aftermarket subaru axles. They may look fine and sealed but on the inside they are garbage. From what I've gathered a lot of mechanics do not understand subarus at all, just my personal opinion.

 

Clicking noise when turning, to me points to the axle still if an OE one wasn't used.

 

the car has a vibration when the engine is running but the car is not moving   -like at a stop light.

 

EDIT: Didn't see that, sounds like your typical bad aftermarket CV axle. Don't let this guy rip you off man, you can buy an OE subaru axle for way way cheaper than $900.

Edited November 12, 201411 yr by TKFlight

Vibration at idle is classic aftermarket CV axle issue.

 

Sounds like the axle was repalced with cheap aftermarket.

it an automatic   at first he said it was the front diff, now he is saying it is the transfer case   when I asked he said it is "the four wheel drive."  I am going to personally speak to him tomorrow.  I got this initial bad news over the phone.  I should add that in addition to the "clicking noise, the car has a vibration when the engine is running but the car is not moving   -like at a stop light.

 

I am learning about subarus from reading these other posts., so I appreciate it.  I also spoke to someone just today who got rid of his 1998 when the head gasket blew--seems that is a problem with many cars.

The conditions you report are classic axle symptoms. If an existing axle was compromised by wear and dirt before re-booting them, then perhaps this existing axle is acting up. It is always best to re-boot your original axles before they become contaminated, but the vibration  stopped in traffic is related to poor quality or sloppy axles. Ignore this front diff advice if your mechanic can't save face and replace an axle he attempted to fix.

 

Here is a tip: The left and right axles are the same part. They are interchangeable.

 

The automatic has a front differential, and a transfer clutch to the rear differential. There is no center differential. There is no transfer case. Proper nomenclature for a subaru symmetrical layout would be "All wheel drive" and "transaxle"

 

If you do your searching about axles, you will find reports of the vibration issue. And clicking sounds is classic outer CV joints being worn. If the inner axle was worn, you get wobbling sensations and clicking on accel/decel

just mentioning 2 things here; post a new thread asking for a soob-experienced mechanic near you in Hawthorne. kinda seems like your mechanic is confused.

 

And, your car needs a timing belt service if it wasn't done last year. 105K miles OR 105 months.