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View Full Version : decel whining / grinding noise


VMethos
09-04-2008, 09:15 PM
Ok... so, I've seen that it has been a fairly common problem in the past, (several pages of documentation that you can read HERE (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103494) if you want) but just wanted to see if anyone else had any additional input.

MConte and I were discussing similar problems in this THREAD (http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5893&page=5), but it probably should be placed in its own thread here.

Anyways...

The problem is this:
--The car makes a whining/grinding noise while decelerating in gear
--The noise is related to road speed and does not alter due to gear selection or rpm
--The whine is very faintly there while in neutral
--There is NO noise while idling at a stop or from pressing in the clutch pedal
--There is NO noise during acceleration

So, I took it to the Subaru dealership and was told that the center diff (viscous coupler as the mechanic called it) probably needed to be replaced. My car has about 75,000 miles on it... but I have run it pretty hard in the snow and dirt, so it could be a possibility.

After reading through a fair bit of the first linked thread and thinking about it, I'd like to exhaust some other possibilities before swapping in a new center diff.

I am running tire pressures of 39/35 now, which only very slightly if at all decreased the volume of the decel noise. (I was previously running 39 / 38 )

And I put in a Lightweight Exedy flywheel (13.9 lbs approx) about a year and 15,000 miles ago when I replaced the clutch with the OEM Exedy clutch kit. But this noise didn't start occurring until about a little over a week ago. At that time I also replaced the transmission fluid with 1 Qt Redline Lightweight shockproof and approx. 3 Qts Redline 75W90.

This weekend I plan on replacing the transmission fluid and checking out any joints or bearings on the driveshaft, as well as my CV boots and axles as I thought there might have been an excess of grease near the front passenger axle when I looked at it today (which could be an unrelated issue... that the dealership didn't notice or mention)

MConte's problem was apparently resolved with changing the tire pressures and keeping his heat shield from rattling against his front skid plate.

I'll keep this updated if I figure anything out.

MConte05
09-04-2008, 10:02 PM
Just to note, I have Borla headers and was running stacked washers to act as a spacer, and recently they had been very close to the header. I know my reverse grind was most likely attributed to that. But I still had grinding on decel even without the skidplate on. However by dropping my tire pressures from 40/40 to 36/32 the noise is basically completely eliminated.

pigpen
09-05-2008, 06:26 AM
when i got my lightweight flywheel installed with a new clutch, it added a lot of driveline chatter, but really only in neutral. once it goes into gear, it quiets down a lot.

also, you only reduced your rear pressures a little bit, and didn't change the fronts. try dropping them to 36/35 if you liked the balance you used to have at 39/38...that is a more significant difference, and plenty of pressure on the street for most people/tire/suspension combos.

VMethos
09-05-2008, 07:38 AM
okay. I will try dropping the pressures down this afternoon on lunch break

brd360sk8
09-05-2008, 11:19 AM
I had this same problem a couple months ago and they replaced the cent diff on my wrx. I had the car returned to me and a day later the noise came back again. But this time they said there was a suspension piece touching the body of the car causing the whinning sound so they bent it back and it fixed it. About 2 weeks ago it started coming back again :pissed:. Sooo hopefully it isn't another cent diff I mean you can go trough one in 2 months can you?!?!?! hopefully its just that suspension piece thats bent again after iwent off roading again....

VMethos
09-05-2008, 12:08 PM
I highly doubt you f'd up a center diff within 2 months. That's ridiculous.

Dropped my tire pressures down to 36 / 33 with no noticeable difference in the noise... but these are probably better pressures to run for the street.

rollo
09-05-2008, 12:26 PM
Not that I have an Impreza but I just got my clutch replaced on Tuesday, and am now hearing something similar (mine's a metallic rattling on no-load deceleration (or negative load, technically I guess?, since it's engine braking), in gear only). All mechnical diffs, no fancy electronics.

The only components that changed:
- clutch (before: stock, worn / after: ACT 3200, brand new obviously) (inc. new TOB)
- flywheel (before: stock / after: lightweight)
- tranny fluids (before: Redline all round / after: BG Synchroshift in the transaxle and Redline in the diffs)

I have heard that ACT clutches have a reputation for being noisy on decel, and they did test drive it, and said nothing about the noise. So I assume that it's normal. I might give 'em a call to check, if it carries on though. I'm almost wondering if it's the different fluid...

scootfd3s
09-05-2008, 12:33 PM
my friend just had the exact same problem.. turns out the Lug Nuts were loose. thats all. hahaha. check your nuts!

rollo
09-05-2008, 01:21 PM
Yeah, pretty sure it's not that.

scootfd3s
09-05-2008, 03:27 PM
Yeah, pretty sure it's not that.


check your nuts anyways.. check for cancer.

VMethos
09-08-2008, 10:30 PM
haha.

Well... got under the car to look at her yesterday, and the front passenger boot on the axle was slopping grease all over the place... so I'm going to fix that first and then we'll see if I still have to do something else to get rid of this noise or not.

Anyone recommend a good place to get a replacement front axle from? And do I need to get any other parts to replace the axle (bearing or oil seal replacements?)... or is that all included on the axle assembly?

Thanks.

EDIT:
This is what I keep finding when I search through google:
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/details/QQSubaruQQImprezaQQEMPIQQAxle_AssemblyQQ20022007QQ W0133-1793387.html
I guess I could always see how much the stealership wants for one if they have any in stock.

98obster
09-09-2008, 05:56 AM
http://www.ccrengines.com/id28.html

or

empi axles from autopartsworld.com

empis come with roll pin and axle nut. maybe good to have replacement outer bearing seals just in case.

Jard
09-09-2008, 05:59 AM
Anyone recommend a good place to get a replacement front axle from? And do I need to get any other parts to replace the axle (bearing or oil seal replacements?)... or is that all included on the axle assembly?

NASIOC private for sale classifieds

VMethos
09-09-2008, 02:13 PM
Ordered an empi front axle assembly as well as outer and inner wheel seals from autopartsworld. I'll update after receiving and installing the new axle.