2 different types of whining in MY02 Liberty

[zoliberty]

Gday, I was wondering if there would be some updated info on Subaru mechanics in Melbourne, I will be calling the mechs posted from here showthread.php?t=8726 but if there are more update to date details then that would be great.

A few weeks ago I started hearing a whine from 50kph onwards and got louder as the car drove faster, the sound is louder now and worse when the car is cold, another different sound has started where it only makes the noise when I accelerate but not all the time. The first sounds like a busted power steering sound and the second is more of a diff sound. Would anyone know a rough combination of prices for a N/A MY02 Liberty.

Replacing front diff
Replacing Centre diff
Replacing Manual Transmission

I guess if you are doing multiple items then it can be a little cheaper doing things in combo but I'm really not looking forward towards the final $$$$.

[El_Freddo]

Welcome to the forum zoliberty

My first question would be where is the noise coming from in relation to the driver's seat?

To me one of them could be a wheel bearing - the 50km/h onwards one. If it's constantly winding up with the speed it's not engine related; the engine will change gears and thus change the speed of the pulleys etc.

The second one is interesting. I'd check your gearbox oil level - there's a dip stick on the driver's side of the gearbox. The oil level might be low and this could be as you say the front diff making the noise - and if it's during acceleration only, it could be as simple as the small oil volume moving to the back of the gearbox enough to starve the diff. Maybe.

Also, how many km's has your liberty done?

Cheers

Bennie

[littlewhiteute]

Front diff, centre diff and manual transmission is all one unit.

If it's like my WRX, your trans will eventually go bang.

Cost me about $3800, and my own labour for Stage 2 trans from http://subarugearbox.com.au/

[d_generate]

If it turns out to be the box just pick up a 2nd hand WRX box for $800-$1500 and make sure your rear diff matches or change that over also, not worth fixing as there are dozens of boxes out there for sale as cars get wrecked or have 6 speeds put in them.

You can pick up a 6 speed for around $3,000 from Ichiban Auto's.

[zoliberty]

Welcome to the forum zoliberty

My first question would be where is the noise coming from in relation to the driver's seat?

To me one of them could be a wheel bearing - the 50km/h onwards one. If it's constantly winding up with the speed it's not engine related; the engine will change gears and thus change the speed of the pulleys etc.

The second one is interesting. I'd check your gearbox oil level - there's a dip stick on the driver's side of the gearbox. The oil level might be low and this could be as you say the front diff making the noise - and if it's during acceleration only, it could be as simple as the small oil volume moving to the back of the gearbox enough to starve the diff. Maybe.

Also, how many km's has your liberty done?

Cheers

Bennie

Thanks Bennie >>;]

I'd say, around the center, mate was in the car yesterday and the intermittent sound when accelerating came from near the foot well he reckons, to me both separate sounds come from the center of the car. I took it into one mechanic and he also said that it could be the wheel bearing until he took it for a drive, then he said it's a strip and quote and most likely it's the gearbox. I read that the front and center diffs are sealed so they would cost around 1k each to replace. He reckons that roughly the cost would be starting from 2.7k to fix transmission...The car has done 138000ks, he did mention that it's unusual for the tranny to die this early..I do drive to the cbd everyday (23k's) so that could be the issue or one of. The power steering sound when gets louder as you increase speed is loud when the car is cold, both sounds are definitely drive train issues. I'll check the oil this week, any recommendations with oils?

Front diff, centre diff and manual transmission is all one unit.

If it's like my WRX, your trans will eventually go bang.

Cost me about $3800, and my own labour for Stage 2 trans from http://subarugearbox.com.au/

Yeah that's what's worrying me, I'm currently saving I'd LOVE to change it myself but I haven't got a hoist and most tools, (ex) mate and I converted a VL from a auto to manual, that was fun!!

If it turns out to be the box just pick up a 2nd hand WRX box for $800-$1500 and make sure your rear diff matches or change that over also, not worth fixing as there are dozens of boxes out there for sale as cars get wrecked or have 6 speeds put in them.

You can pick up a 6 speed for around $3,000 from Ichiban Auto's.

Well with second hand, I'm worried that I would buy someone else's issues, what re-assurances would I have that 6 months down the track, it's going to whine, and WRX, well, probably has been thrashed, no? About 2 years ago I converted to a solid mass flywheel, ever since I had the car, I was always disappointed with the drive train slap, when you try and coast in 4th gear and you slightly tap the accel pedal, it would jolt forward and back, I always knew that in the long run, that can't be a good thing, I wonder if the 6 gear boxes slightly better.

[d_generate]

Do you seriously think they replace every shaft, cog, shim, bearing, synchro in a re-con box? you're kidding yourself mate, they replace what's broken and the rest goes back in...........second hand.

[zoliberty]

Do you seriously think they replace every shaft, cog, shim, bearing, synchro in a re-con box? you're kidding yourself mate, they replace what's broken and the rest goes back in...........second hand.

I know, they'll just replace worn bearings etc.. need it fixed/replaced either way..I just need to know where, in Melbourne.

[d_generate]

Pretty much any box from 89 Liberty on will fit, you just need to make sure the diff matches, from about MY99 onward they went to the 8 bolt pattern but I've put a 4 bolt earlier box in a later car, just need to change the bolt on the starter motor, you can also put a dual range box in there if you want, I've got one in my WRX so you don't have to find one that's model or year specific, there should be plenty out there from n/a's for well under $1000 that are in good condition, just find one from a low K unmodified car and you'll be pretty safe.

Look on gumtree
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/nowra/en ... 1000679617

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/campbell ... /345086332

[zoliberty]

Not much in Melbourne, I'll have to hunt around. I guess you have to take their word on the k's it's done if it's out of the body.

[taza]

Well with second hand, I'm worried that I would buy someone else's issues, what re-assurances would I have that 6 months down the track, it's going to whine, and WRX, well, probably has been thrashed, no? About 2 years ago I converted to a solid mass flywheel, ever since I had the car, I was always disappointed with the drive train slap, when you try and coast in 4th gear and you slightly tap the accel pedal, it would jolt forward and back, I always knew that in the long run, that can't be a good thing, I wonder if the 6 gear boxes slightly better.

I actually had this issue with my Forester and in the end went with a reconditioned box from All Drive Subaroo.

Its a used box yes but with new centre diff, bearings, all new syncros and seals. Everything is in good condition. Cost me $2500 including shipping to WA. It's an exchange process though so I send them my busted box which cust $650 off the price.

I was hoping it was going to arrive this week but now it looks like early next week.

Taza

[d_generate]

I actually had this issue with my Forester and in the end went with a reconditioned box from All Drive Subaroo.

Its a used box yes but with new centre diff, bearings, all new syncros and seals. Everything is in good condition. Cost me $2500 including shipping to WA. It's an exchange process though so I send them my busted box which cust $650 off the price.

I was hoping it was going to arrive this week but now it looks like early next week.

Taza

You didn't get them to put a front LSD in it and who is fitting it and at what cost?

[taza]

You didn't get them to put a front LSD in it and who is fitting it and at what cost?

A front LSD was an extra $1000 so I didn't bother. I have one I bought online anyway but when it goes in is another story. Its not just a matter of putting it in, it needs adjusting. Or so im told otherwise I would just do it with the help of someone.

I will be installing the gearbox in the car Im really keen to learn!

[Venom]

Check for feathering of your tyres, or any sort of uneven tyre wear. Try moving the front tyres to back, back to front and see if the noise moves.

Quite common for the uneven tyre wear make a whirring sound that gets louder as you accelerate. Had multiple cars into tyre shops were i worked with people worried about diffs when it was just poor tyre wear from not keeping on top of their wheel alignment schedule!

Much cheaper and easier than swapping around diffs too.

[d_generate]

A front LSD was an extra $1000 so I didn't bother. I have one I bought online anyway but when it goes in is another story. Its not just a matter of putting it in, it needs adjusting. Or so im told otherwise I would just do it with the help of someone.

I will be installing the gearbox in the car Im really keen to learn!

You bought a plated front diff?

[taza]

You bought a plated front diff?

Gear type LSD.

http://www.eracingzone.com/product_p/obxlsd39.htm

Got a rear auto-locker to try in the rear too. When the L-Series is sold also that will pay for a Subaxtreme front bar. I know of someone who might be selling a Subaxtreme rear bar too for my car so im just waiting to see about that.

[zoliberty]

My front tyres are feathering, I do really need a rotation.. I just checked my tranny oil and the dipstick after a wipe is dry, my driveway is on a slant so the left side of the car is higher then the right atm but it should still show some oil! I feel really stupid now as I probably reduced the life of the box... What oil would you guys recommend? and from where? (it needs to be open Saturday). Just trying to figure out on where to fill the oil, I think it might be where the dip stick goes as the hole is quite big.

[taza]

My front tyres are feathering, I do really need a rotation.. I just checked my tranny oil and the dipstick after a wipe is dry, my driveway is on a slant so the left side of the car is higher then the right atm but it should still show some oil! I feel really stupid now as I probably reduced the life of the box... What oil would you guys recommend? and from where? (it needs to be open Saturday). Just trying to figure out on where to fill the oil, I think it might be where the dip stick goes as the hole is quite big.

The damage could already be too late if it was run low. You will soon know after a few thousand or few tens of thousand km.

Yes you fill it where the dip stick is. Use a long funnel or abit of tube/hose and a funnel ontop. Use Penrite LSD front gearbox oil. There is a certain grade which your owners manual will say, follow that. The oil you buy should be the same grade as what your manual says. For mine the bottle was black and purple in colour.

Its about $100 for 5l but well worth it.

Do your have Repco over east or Supercheap? Either of them should have it.

[El_Freddo]

Not much in Melbourne, I'll have to hunt around. I guess you have to take their word on the k's it's done if it's out of the body.

Generally speaking dealers aren't out screw you over - generally! But yes, you have to take them on their word... Pick a part has been good for me so far

A front LSD was an extra $1000 so I didn't bother. I have one I bought online anyway but when it goes in is another story. Its not just a matter of putting it in, it needs adjusting. Or so im told otherwise I would just do it with the help of someone.

So let me get this right, new reconditioned gearbox with warranty but no LSD, you've got an LSD to fit but have to split the gearbox to fit it?? I'm not sure that this is a wise move if there's an issue with this box under warranty...

It's not the LSD that needs adjusting, it's the diff settings with the preload and backlash that needs to be set correctly.

My front tyres are feathering, I do really need a rotation..

Do you want to follow some free advice that might sort out this noise you're experencing? Venom used to work in a tyre shop and knows what he's talking about

I just checked my tranny oil and the dipstick after a wipe is dry, my driveway is on a slant so the left side of the car is higher then the right atm but it should still show some oil! I feel really stupid now as I probably reduced the life of the box... What oil would you guys recommend? and from where? (it needs to be open Saturday). Just trying to figure out on where to fill the oil, I think it might be where the dip stick goes as the hole is quite big.

Get any gearbox oil you've got in there ASAP - don't drive it anywhere until you get this oil sorted. Probably worth replacing the gearbox oil when you can. Low oil can create noises in the gearbox but you might be lucky and have enough in there not to do any damage.

The damage could already be too late if it was run low. You will soon know after a few thousand or few tens of thousand km.

Or an oil top up/change! It's not all doom and gloom Taza!

Use Penrite LSD front gearbox oil. There is a certain grade which your owners manual will say, follow that. The oil you buy should be the same grade as what your manual says. For mine the bottle was black and purple in colour.Its about $100 for 5l but well worth it.

Really? RIPPED!!! I'm using an LSD oil in my gearbox at the moment - it shifts better with this stuff, looks like oil but certainly didn't cost $100 for 5L!!

Using an LSD oil in your gearbox won't do it any harm.

So, top up the oil, go for a drive, if it's still there rotate your tyres - PITA but well worth the effort! If the noise moves with the tyres there's the issue.

Cheers

Bennie

[d_generate]

Tazza if you've got an OBX diff I think it just gets thrown straight in as is.

[zoliberty]

Generally speaking dealers aren't out screw you over - generally! But yes, you have to take them on their word... Pick a part has been good for me so far

So what's so special about WRX gearboxes? Just more durable? I don't think I'll bother with 6 speed, not for the money anyway.

Do you want to follow some free advice that might sort out this noise you're experencing? Venom used to work in a tyre shop and knows what he's talking about

Yes, but it also means I have to buy a new tyre as I knicked the wall (oops) tyres only purchased in Oct last year.


Get any gearbox oil you've got in there ASAP - don't drive it anywhere until you get this oil sorted. Probably worth replacing the gearbox oil when you can. Low oil can create noises in the gearbox but you might be lucky and have enough in there not to do any damage.

I put 1 litre of Penrite 75w90 ($29 for 2.5l's) on Friday night, it's bloody hard to see the liquid as it's near clear on the dip stick, it's only a temporary measure until I get the oil replaced. Going home the intermittent whine went away then the contiunous whine was not as loud, however things went back to before +1l oil the next day:?.

Or an oil top up/change! It's not all doom and gloom Taza!

I'm going to put some more oil in tomorrow.


So, top up the oil, go for a drive, if it's still there rotate your tyres - PITA but well worth the effort! If the noise moves with the tyres there's the issue.

Cheers

Bennie

I thought of rotating them myself but without removing the tyres, I think they are one directional so it's fronts to backs etc, they are Toyo Teo Plus tyres, I'll call the tyre joint tomorrow.

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