97 Impreza - Rear Differential Whine / Noise

[protaghiro]

Two weeks ago I bought a 97 Impreza L Sedan with 73,000 miles for
$2,700. It was an old lady's car - never had been serviced except for
regular oil changes. I dont think she ever even had the tires rotated.
Anyhow, she died, and her family sold me the car. Creepy right! None of
this really matters though...

When I hit about 40 mph, the whining noise starts. Aroung 55, it is
very loud. but around 60, it disappears. I took it into my mechanic (a
Subaru specialty shop) and he said it was the rear differential, and
that he could fine me a used one and put it in for a grand total of
$400-$500. Is this a good price? Is this a repair that Les Schwab or
someplace else could do for cheaper? My mechanic said it wasnt
dangerous at this point, and that I could drive it as long as I could
stand the noise. I CANT STAND IT!!! ITS DRIVING ME NUTS!!!

What is a good price to have this repaired? I have read in this
newsgroup that this is a common problem. If I have this done, and the
noise comes back in a couple months, will most shops have a warranty on
the new differential? Or am I going to have to spend this money over
and over? Arg! This is a super little car, but I am at my wits end!

 

[Josh Assing]

I would agree -- the diffs -- however, if you're concered about cost, I would
drain the rear diff & front diff fluids & put new fluid in to see if that helped
any.

Two weeks ago I bought a 97 Impreza L Sedan with 73,000 miles for
$2,700. It was an old lady's car - never had been serviced except for
regular oil changes. I dont think she ever even had the tires rotated.
Anyhow, she died, and her family sold me the car. Creepy right! None of
this really matters though...

When I hit about 40 mph, the whining noise starts. Aroung 55, it is
very loud. but around 60, it disappears. I took it into my mechanic (a
Subaru specialty shop) and he said it was the rear differential, and
that he could fine me a used one and put it in for a grand total of
$400-$500. Is this a good price? Is this a repair that Les Schwab or
someplace else could do for cheaper? My mechanic said it wasnt
dangerous at this point, and that I could drive it as long as I could
stand the noise. I CANT STAND IT!!! ITS DRIVING ME NUTS!!!

What is a good price to have this repaired? I have read in this
newsgroup that this is a common problem. If I have this done, and the
noise comes back in a couple months, will most shops have a warranty on
the new differential? Or am I going to have to spend this money over
and over? Arg! This is a super little car, but I am at my wits end!

--- AntiSpam/harvest ---
Remove X's to send email to me.

 

[protaghiro]

I had the fluids changed when I had the car serviced (timing belt,
water pump, etc). The noise is as bad as ever.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I had the fluids changed when I had the car serviced (timing belt,
water pump, etc). The noise is as bad as ever.

First, from my readings in this and 2 other newsgroup, I would NOT say
rear diff problems are common. They are certainly MUCH less common than
center diff or wheel bearing problems. But, any car could have a bad
rear diff I guess - especially after some neglect. At this point though,
I guess we have to assume your soob tech guy knows his stuff and likely
you'll be fixed right up after this work. It might be a good idea to
have him thorughly check out the car's coolant system, the center diff,
and if he has a test for the MAF, front O2, and Engine Temp Sensor. do
those.

Carl

 

[protaghiro]

the main question i have in my original post is how much should this
cost me? is my subaru tech's rate reasonable?

 

[CRPW]

I suppose you've checked tire pressure? Matching tire size? Subarus
differentials are sensitive to mismatched tires. Also, make sure they put
gear oil in the rear diff, and not something less viscous. I wouldn't
simply trust that the fluid in the diff is correct.
Also, how are you sure it's the diff? The rear wheel bearings can make a
whining noise when they're going bad, and they're notorious on the Impreza.
Good luck.