Loose Axels? (56k mi.)

[T.J.]

I have been chasing a rattle in the back of my '02 WRX Wagon for a while now. The other day while looking for the source of it I found that my rear axels have play in them where they meet the rear diff.!

 

With my hands, I can move them side to side (between the diff and the wheel) about 1/8". They also move up and down about 1/16" in the diff housing.

 

Is this normal? Does anyone feel like sliding under their car to see if they can move their rear axels? I would appreciate it.

 

I tried to shake the front axels as a referance and they didn't seem to move.

Note: I did change the diff. fluid to Mobile1 synthetic @ 30,000 miles.

 

 

Any info appreciated, T.J.

[Subarunation 713]

I have been chasing a rattle in the back of my '02 WRX Wagon for a while now. The other day while looking for the source of it I found that my rear axels have play in them where they meet the rear diff.!

 

With my hands, I can move them side to side (between the diff and the wheel) about 1/8". They also move up and down about 1/16" in the diff housing.

 

Is this normal? Does anyone feel like sliding under their car to see if they can move their rear axels? I would appreciate it.

 

I tried to shake the front axels as a referance and they didn't seem to move.

Note: I did change the diff. fluid to Mobile1 synthetic @ 30,000 miles.

 

 

Any info appreciated, T.J.

After eating to much Mexican food my axel was loose too but I took some Imodium and it cleared things up!

 

This is not normal on my Legacys (93 and 96). I don't have an answer but something is wrong and I doubt it is the fluid. The roll pins may have come out, see if they are in there.

 

Greg

[sea#3]

It is normal and they don't have roll pins

 

You could try lubing the two guide plates that are on either side of the rear hatch (two black plastic peices ) with some spray grease Also check the hatch it self it could be closing properly but could be loose

 

SEA#3

[T.J.]

It is normal and they don't have roll pins

 

You could try lubing the two guide plates that are on either side of the rear hatch (two black plastic peices ) with some spray grease Also check the hatch it self it could be closing properly but could be loose

 

SEA#3

I actually drove around w/ the hatch up a few days ago and I could still hear the rattling sound. I also took everything out of the back of the car. I tried retightening my aftermarket rear sway bar and end links (my only suspention mods.) and I tried jacking up the rear wheel and shaking it to see if the wheel bearing was shot. Thanks for the input though.

 

So you say it is normal for the axels to move? I am suprized. What is to keep them from rattling then? I was convinced that I had this sound nailed down.

 

 

T.J.

[T.J.]

Update:

 

Well it definitely isn't the endlinks. I changed them out for the stockers the other day. I also tried putting the rsb on the soft setting. Nothing changed other than the handling got a little sloppy.

 

I think I am going to drive down to the suby dealer and try to shake thier axels to see if they are similar to mine.

 

 

T.J.