The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Technical Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-22-2006, 04:37 AM
nutshell's Avatar
nutshell nutshell is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 82
Send a message via AIM to nutshell Send a message via MSN to nutshell Send a message via Yahoo to nutshell Send a message via Skype™ to nutshell
Strange drive train noise on acceleration

Recently I posted on the epic of repairing the 4WS on my newly acquired 91SVX. However, with that corrected, I now have a drivetrain problem.

At a moderate speed, 35-40 mph, and up, I get a high pitched droning noise that appears to be load dependant. That is; if I throttle off the sound disappears, and returns when the power is applied. On a very light throttle it sounds (rattles briefly) like a bad or collapsing bearing someplace.

At first I thought it may be the intermediate hanger bearing on the driveshaft, but now I am not so sure. The noise is very mechanical and overrides usual engine/gearbox chatter, which sounds totally normal.

It seems to be getting worse.

Any suggestions?

FYI the gearbox was apparently reconditioned only a matter of months ago.

Ian
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-22-2006, 06:28 AM
intelisevil's Avatar
intelisevil intelisevil is offline
<<<Alcyone
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sandy, OR
Posts: 832
I had something similar except that my noise occured on decel, went away on accel. A spot of exhaust shielding was scraping against the driveshaft as the engine torqued around. A bit of prying when the car was up on a lift took care of my problem.

Hopefully yours will be as simple to find and fix.

Dan
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-22-2006, 03:54 PM
nutshell's Avatar
nutshell nutshell is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 82
Send a message via AIM to nutshell Send a message via MSN to nutshell Send a message via Yahoo to nutshell Send a message via Skype™ to nutshell
Quote:
Originally Posted by intelisevil
A spot of exhaust shielding was scraping against the driveshaft as the engine torqued around. A bit of prying when the car was up on a lift took care of my problem.
Dan
Thanks...problem solved...it looks like it may be the heat exchanger on top of the rear right hand muffler. Blasted thing.
I'll get it in to my friendly muffler shop next week for a fix.

Last edited by nutshell; 04-22-2006 at 08:41 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-22-2006, 07:13 PM
-JJ-'s Avatar
-JJ- -JJ- is offline
Endangered Species
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 579
Send a message via MSN to -JJ-
Check this, i hope it is something simple aswel



all the best
__________________
1992 Pearl / Black SVX

removed intake silencer, k&N pannel filter, trans cooler, 94 JDM 4eat, Noltec front swaybar mounts, Motorsport D&S disks with EBC Greenstuff pads
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-20-2006, 06:14 AM
nutshell's Avatar
nutshell nutshell is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 82
Send a message via AIM to nutshell Send a message via MSN to nutshell Send a message via Yahoo to nutshell Send a message via Skype™ to nutshell
Talking You won't believe this!

WOW..this has taken some time to fix...but finally done and everything working as Subaru originally intended.

It is an unbelievable tale of bad workmanship tho...

The noise was not any body parts rubbing or rattling.

Apparently when the agent (Winger Subaru) repaired the transmission for the previous owner, they sent the unit out to have the work done by a local auto-trans 'specialist'.

I located another transmission specialist and after a run he diagnosed the front trans-axle pinion bearing, so I gave him the job of fixing it.

However, after they had removed the transmission he called me and asked me to call by the shop where they had the trans-axle laid out on a bench.

Believe it or not, there was less than one egg-cup of diff fluid left in the axle housing!!

Both pinion AND crown wheel had run so red-hot they had actually peeled the metal up and off of the facing teeth on both parts!!

Seems that when the first guys did the work they had neglected to put in a thirty cent O-ring that seals the face of the pinion bearing housing to the gearbox, so that over time all the diff oil had migrated FROM the axle INTO the gearbox, leaving the trans-axle dry as a bone!!!

No wonder it was complaining! And just imagine what that heavy-duty axle oil had done to the rest of the transmission when it mixed with the light-weight auto-trans fluid!!!

After some hasty calls and much, much, much conversation Winger agreed that the work had been incorrectly done...and eventually (three weeks later) I was presented with the car...back in good working order.

Do not ask me how much work had to be done to get it repaired (or how much it eventually cost someone), but it did need a complete replacement crown wheel and pinion, and a complete transmission rebuild, including the rear clutch pack.

To cut a long story short, the work cost ME just two replacement rear gearbox mount ....no more than that.

I have to give credit to Winger Subaru in Auckland. When the chips were down, as a Subaru agent they did the right thing by the SVX.

And...as a result..the car now drives as it was intended....perfectly.

4WS is a challenge for sure...but as the days and weeks go by I believe I am mastering the art of the ability to turn on a dime. It truly is a great design and makes what is undoubtedly one of the best vehicles ever made into something that is just unbelievable.

I just wonder why Subaru never continued with 4WS?

Ian
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-20-2006, 09:06 AM
mbtoloczko's Avatar
mbtoloczko mbtoloczko is offline
sans SVX
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Richland, WA
Posts: 4,250
Send a message via AIM to mbtoloczko
Quote:
Originally Posted by nutshell

I just wonder why Subaru never continued with 4WS?

Ian
Glad you got your car fixed, and got it done without having to shell out big bucks.

Quite a few automakers tinkered with 4WS and none adopted it permanently. I'd venture to guess that there's not enough advantage to 4WS for the added complexity and cost.
__________________
Mychailo
:: 2006 Silver Mitsubishi Evolution 9, E85, 34 psi peak, 425wtq/505whp DJ ::
1995 Laguna Blue SVX L AWD 5MT (sold)

Visit my locker

SVX Mods: ND iridium spark plugs, Impreza RS fpr, afr tuned to 13.2:1 using a custom MAF bypass, custom exhaust, WRX 5MT w/ STi RA 1st-4th gear & stock WRX 5th gear, Exedy 13 lb flywheel & Sport Clutch, STi Group N tranny & engine mounts, urethane spacers in rear subframe, rear diff mounts, and pitch stopper, SVX Sport Strut Springs (185f/150r), custom 19 mm rear swaybar, urethane swaybar mounts, Rota Torque 17x8", 225/45-17 Proxes 4 tires, Axxis Deluxe Plus organic brake pads.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-20-2006, 07:58 PM
oab_au oab_au is offline
Registered User
Subaru Gold Contributor
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Coffs Harb, Australia.
Posts: 5,032
Significant Technical Input Registered SVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbtoloczko
Glad you got your car fixed, and got it done without having to shell out big bucks.

Quite a few automakers tinkered with 4WS and none adopted it permanently. I'd venture to guess that there's not enough advantage to 4WS for the added complexity and cost.
Yes I think the complexity and cost, was the killer. Especially when they could get enough passive rear steering, from the short trailing link.

Harvey.
__________________
One Arm Bloke.
Tell it like it is!

95 Lsi. Bordeaux Pearl, Aust. RHD.149,000Kls Subaru BBS wheels.
97 Liberty GX Auto sedan. 320,000Kls.
04 Liberty 30R Auto Premium. 92.000kls.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-20-2006, 09:35 PM
Trevor's Avatar
Trevor Trevor is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 5,223
Registered SVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by oab_au
Yes I think the complexity and cost, was the killer. Especially when they could get enough passive rear steering, from the short trailing link.

Harvey.
How does this suggested alternative arrangement provide actual rear wheel steering, but does not induce one wheel/side bump steer ?
__________________
Trevor, New Zealand.

As a child, on cold mornings I gladly stood in cowpats to warm my bare feet, but I detest bull$hit!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:27 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122