Front end whine
 

Hey Guys,
*** Strange problem has surfaced. Last week I started to get a whine coming from the front. It is only on acceleration and goes quite on decel. I thought it might be my tires so I rotated them as it has almost a radial hum but high pitch. It does not very with RPM only gets louder with speed. Kicks in after 25Mph's Would this mean a front diff is whining? Anyone have this before from the front? I only have 94,000 Miles on her, do not drive her hard, fluids all changed. I don't think it would be wheel bearings. Only things left are the diff,tranny,cv :( I had a new tranny at 50,000 miles. Things to check before Subaru tells me what it is for $125 ?

Re: Front end whine
 

Sorry guys. This should have been under the tech section. I am a little rusty.

Re: Front end whine
 

That's the first thing I'd check.

dcb

Re: Front end whine
 

I'd be more apt to think it's the front differential.

Re: Front end whine
 

It is the front diff. I have it the other way around, it whines on the overrun, but not on acceleration. The place that rebuilt the tranny last year offered a warranty on it, but when I went in to take them up on it, the guy that worked on my car was no longer there, nor was the guy who wrote it up, so they blew me off. And I can't afford a new factory ring and pinion ($1,800) so I'm treating the car gently and living with it.
Paul

Re: Front end whine
 

I wouldn't jump on it being the diff. My front diff made more of a clicking noise that was linked to the RPM. I would describe it as card hitting a bicycle spoke. It increased with revolutions.

Re: Front end whine
 

There are several components in the front differential which could fail. They could all cause a different noise. :)

Re: Front end whine
 

Was merely my experience :D the pinion gear (I believe) went out in mine.

Re: Front end whine
 

I know its a completely different vehicle but when the rear diff was going out on our 89 Astro van(RWD) it did exactly what you are describing. It did this at about 160,000 miles though from wear so I'm not sure why yours would be doing this already unless it either was run low on fluid, or if a seal went bad and trans fluid is seaping in.

Re: Front end whine
 

Well I guess I will have to leave it to a Subie mechanic to diagnose. I did take it to a tire shop today just to confirm it was not the tires.

I do have the original bearings on the car. When I steer hard side to side there is no change which makes me think it is the diff.

I remember one cold morning this winter it made a hell of a racket then then went away. Today it was a warmer day, 70ish and it was a little quiter :confused:

Re: Front end whine
 

did u have a new front diff when you had ur new tranny?
or is that a rebuilt one?

Check the front diff fluid condition. You can probably tell more info.
How bad is the whine? Change the fluid might help.
If it's the front diff,
It'd eventually get louder and louder, your car will stop...

Re: Front end whine
 

It could possibly be a front wheel bearing, but it is likely to prove to be a bearing in the front diff.

I trust you will get her sorted. :)

Joe

Re: Front end whine
 

Happy Birthday, by the way!

Re: Front end whine
 

Thanks for the advice and B-day wishes. I have parked it till I take it over to a mechanic as the weather has been nice on the West Coast. I will let you know the diagnosis.

Cheers

Re: Front end whine
 

Your diff was not setup properly. You pinion was digging too deep and I am sure have worn the teeth and will continue to do so.

Your pinion bearing failed, not the gear itself, that is why the noise was so different.

Good luck but you will be in for a new gearset with new bearings and hopefully seals while you are at it.:(

Tom