Hi - I'm going to take a look at a 99 impreza wagon with about 125K on it. The seller says there is some noise coming from the rear differential at higher speeds (that's what I think they mean). Could this just mean that the diff fluids need to be changed - a pretty minor service - or might this indicate a bigger issue? What questions do I need to ask, and is there anything else to look out for with this model and year? I plan to check out the car next Monday. Thanks!

check that - they think right wheel bearing... is that a big deal?

If its a roar its the differential, and will probably make less noise in reverse.If its a wheel bearing it will be there all the time and change speed on hard left hand or right hand turns. Also a differntial will seem to come from the ceneter of the car, as opposed to the sides.

 

nipper

thanks - any idea on the cost of repair for a wheel bearing?

when we got the one 90 subie it had a noise in the rear. we got the car for $50. the guy was gonna junk it because the rear end was going bad. it turns out that the car was a fwd and all it needed was new brakes.

thanks - any idea on the cost of repair for a wheel bearing?

 

a few hundred if its like the front one. I never had to replace a rear.

 

nipper