Subaru Forester - Name that Sound

[S. Hurwitz]

I have a 1998 Forester. I get an annoying "droning" sound coming from
the rear/back end of the car. At first I thought it was tire noise. The
noise seems to get louder with increasing speed with the max around 55
mph. Around 60 mph the sound actually decreases. The shop
rebalanced/rotated the tires... they thought it was possible related to
the rear differential. Any thoughts or suggestions? How bad, i.e.
expensive, is it if the probably is related to the rear differential?
Thanks...

Stuart

 

[Edward Hayes]

Exhaust hanger worn or broken??

 

[Klaus Sturm]

rear wheel bearings-most common

 

[Chris Phillipo]

I have a 1998 Forester. I get an annoying "droning" sound coming from
the rear/back end of the car. At first I thought it was tire noise. The
noise seems to get louder with increasing speed with the max around 55
mph. Around 60 mph the sound actually decreases. The shop
rebalanced/rotated the tires... they thought it was possible related to
the rear differential. Any thoughts or suggestions? How bad, i.e.
expensive, is it if the probably is related to the rear differential?
Thanks...

Stuart

Wheel bearing.

 

[Sam Li]

OK, I didn't notice your post before posting mine.

My 95 Legacy auto got similiar problem. At first it's some "clicking" noise
from the rear rigth side. It sounds like gear noise, so my friend told me it
might be rear differential. Now when I step on the gas or let go, I can hear
some howling or growling noise. I guess this is what people talked about
"torque-sensitive", right?

So is this a bearing problem or differential problem? Thanks.

Sam

 

[Voja]

I sort of had the same problem on my Ford Mustang (while I was thinking
that Mustang is the best car ;-)) and then Popular Mechanincs explained
it all.

Search Popular Mechanics' web site (http://www.popularmechanics.com) for
"Replacing U-Joints". I'm not saying the U-joint is the culprit, but it
could be some of the stuff
posted in this article. "Shaft Shivers" is the title that caught my eye.

I would've past the web link but it is so @#$%$#@ long so I'm leaving it
to you to find it.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Voja

 

[Mettlesmertz]

I had that sound with two of my cars (none of them Subarus). In one case it
was differential wear and the other it was the in tank fuel pump (I don't
know if Subaru puts the fuel pump in the tank). In both cases the problem
was never fixed and the part outlasted the car.

Dave

 

[WRXtreme]

I would've past the web link but it is so @#$%$#@ long so I'm leaving it to you to find it.

try www.tinyurl.com to shorten those longer links, but thank you for responding anyway.

 

[Steve Bukosky]

Don't dismiss something simple like the roof rack. Had a crossover
been changed in position from the factory setting? I was told that it
was tuned for minimal sound. It reminds me of a howl that the roof
rack made when put on on my Dad's 1948 Pontiac. Another possibility
is a diverter above the hatch.

 

[S. Hurwitz]

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions... Just got the car back
from the shop... it was the right rear wheel bearing (about 95k miles).
It's now pleasantly quiet.. at least as quiet as it once was...

Stuart

 

[Todd H.]

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions... Just got the car
back from the shop... it was the right rear wheel bearing (about 95k
miles). It's now pleasantly quiet.. at least as quiet as it once
was...

Glad you caught it before it exploded and caused all kinds of havoc.

What'd the repair cost ya?