Hello I just bought a 2008 wrx. I was driving the other day and I noticed this crazy rattling/almost grinding noise when coasting in gear. When I press the clutch in it goes away, and when I’m neutral. Anyone have any experience with this? 

Exhaust heat-shields rattling?

seems like input shaft bearing symptoms.

Edited October 27, 20205 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

My vote is the center diff is going bad.  Not sure if/when they updated the design, but my 2002 is sitting until I find time to do the job.

How can I upload a video for you guys? 

With the car stationary and in neutral, push and hold the clutch in and start it. Do you hear the noise? Probably not.

When you let the clutch out do you hear the noise? If you do, and push the clutch back in, does the noise slowly go away? If so, it is what 1 Lucky Texan said, input shaft bearing on the tranny.

If it is quiet and only makes noise when moving, it could be what carfreak85 said, center diff, if it has one. I've never worked on a Subaru MT.

Could also be bearings around the centre diff area or the rear output/transfer setup. 

Or it’s a driveshaft - especially if the swap left to right trick was done. Has this issue when engine braking. Sounded very nasty! 

Cheers 

Bennie

the biggest indicator you've got a serious probably and not brakes or heat shield is that you just bought the car.  previous owner knew it had symptoms and got a $$$$$ quote or wind of it and dumped it on you.

but to be clear, you're positive it's clutch related and not brakes?  if you were simultaneously coming to a stop and pressing both at roughly the same time i just wanted to make sure it wasn't the brakes.