Drive shaft centre bearing

andreoz · #1 02-11-2014, 05:55 PM

My SVX is a 1992 model (Australian) with just under 180k on the clock and I have had it since new. Recently developed a clunking noise coming from the left and centre - sounded like my CV joints which was confirmed by a mechanic. Have just had the CV joints and shafts replaced and to my surprise some of the noise is still there but it is very much under left of centre console. After showing it to the repair shop I was told that it is most likely the centre bearing in the drive shaft. The noise seems to be only present when accelerating from stand still and is more readily seen when turning to the right. I had a quick search through the forum and I see that there seem to be two different versions of the drive shaft - one with replaceable bearing and one with NOT.
I am looking for recommendations from any of you who have had similar experience or have had to replace the centre bearing or perhaps it is another problem.

michael · #2 02-12-2014, 05:12 AM

Have you thoroughly checked your trans and engine mounts? Sometimes a tear can be hard to spot.

andreoz · #3 02-12-2014, 03:10 PM

Thanks Michael. I wonder if that could be the problem as I have also just noticed that when the car is idling in Neutral it runs nice and smooth. As soon as I put the lever into drive or reverse there is a slight vibration through the whole car.....

carlhoffmann · #4 02-12-2014, 04:10 PM

hi try a tube of lubegard in the auto, its sold on ebay @ about $10, it could be the auto locking up

carlhoffmann · #5 02-12-2014, 04:16 PM

also known as shudder fix.

ShaneHobson · #6 02-13-2014, 12:41 AM

I can vouch for the magic potion called Dr Tranny that Carl is recommending. I dropped a couple of tubes down the transmission filler tube and it immediately fixed the shuddering that occurring during slow, tight turns.
This is a fault that the transmission shop and the Subaru dealer couldn't solve.

andreoz · #7 02-19-2014, 08:41 PM

Well I have just had a "grease and oil change" type service and the mechanic has confirmed that looks like the drive shaft centre bearing is shot! Anyone had experience replacing and are parts available??

JDW-SVX · #8 03-19-2014, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaneHobson

I can vouch for the magic potion called Dr Tranny that Carl is recommending. I dropped a couple of tubes down the transmission filler tube and it immediately fixed the shuddering that occurring during slow, tight turns.
This is a fault that the transmission shop and the Subaru dealer couldn't solve.

I don't think that would work in this particular case. The shuddering that Carl mentions is being caused by the AWD Transfer Clutch binding during tight turns (where the input and output shafts of the transfer clutch are rotating at different speeds).

Australian delivered SVXs do not use this type of AWD system - they use the VTD system, which does not use a transfer clutch.

I actually had this very issue on my grey SVX - it was caused by a combination of a worn driveshaft centre bearing, worn transmission mounts, and one completely broken

engine mount. This caused the driveshaft to be slightly out of alignment, causing shuddering during fast standing starts.

I have also experienced the issue of shuddering caused by a binding AWD transfer clutch - my Vortex 4WD Turbo uses the same transfer clutch based AWD system that US model SVXs use. Occasionally, I would feel the drivetrain binding up during standing starts when I was also turning. In my case, an ATF fluid change fixed that, but that shuddering was definitely caused by the transfer clutch.

Jason.