1996 legacy help needed

[michael]

I decided to finally start troubleshooting a problem I have had for some time now. Every time I think I narrowed it down I convince myself it not that. Here is the problem: I get a thump, thump, thump when I take off in first. It seems to be coming from the middle to rear center. First I thought it was trans mounts, motor mounts, u joints, carrier bearing bushing, rear diff mounts, rear cv joints, a low rmp engine stumble, a rough clutch cable that gets better with spray silicone or worn diff gears. This is a huge list but is seems possible that any could cause this. If I drive hard or focus on not making the thumps it won't. I don't want to have to drive like this any longer . Please help me narrow things down. BTW it's an outback 2.2

[michael]

may or may not be related but I also get a slight vibration from the drivetrain at around 55 mph.

[Hondasucks]

First thing I would check is the center bearing in the drive shaft, as well as the U joints.

[michael]

there didn't seem to be any play in the u joints. There was a lot of squish in the carrier bearing but compared to others in the scrap yard it's comparable. There was what I thought to be excessive play in the rear wheels if you rotate them while off the ground.

[TomsSVX]

More than likely it is the front universal on the driveshat. Take it out and I bet the joint is almost seized in at least one direction

Tom

[michael]

tom, that sounds like a good guess. I will try it. I had it on a lift this morning and found some play in the drivers side rear half shaft, much more than the pass side. Carrier bearing is fine as are the diff mounts. Trans mounts seem ok but. The rubber on either side of the 2 large blocks seems to have seperated. Do they need to be intact?

[TomsSVX]

Originally Posted by michael

tom, that sounds like a good guess. I will try it. I had it on a lift this morning and found some play in the drivers side rear half shaft, much more than the pass side. Carrier bearing is fine as are the diff mounts. Trans mounts seem ok but. The rubber on either side of the 2 large blocks seems to have seperated. Do they need to be intact?

they definately should be... When they seperate, that is what we call a bad mount

tom

[michael]

you wouldn't happen to have a part# for the correct fitting Sti group N mount?

[TomsSVX]

is it a 5speed?? If so, just call ralispec at 609 702 7800 and order a 5speed mount groupN mount.

If it is an auto a stock replacement is all you can do.

Tom

[ensteele]

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

When they seperate, that is what we call a bad mount

tom

Yes, that happened to me last Friday night!

[michael]

I just got a used group N mount from eBay and guess what? That's right, ripped in the same place! How can those tiny pieces of rubber possibly stay intact? Are you sure there supposed to be connected? Either way I ordered a new one from the dealer today.

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by ensteele

Yes, that happened to me last Friday night!

Earl, that could happen to you any night of the week. You've got a whole harem going there.

Joe

[michael]

I got the new Sti mount from the dealer and it is seperated in the same place. So this is part of the design, I returned the dealer mount and installed the eBay one and I'm happy with it. Next step is the group n motor mounts hopefully that will tighten things up. The motor bobbles side to side like crazy.

[michael]

New motor mounts are in route, just because. I'm pretty sure those are not the problem, it's in the rear somewhere. Just to recap it's clunks a little on takeoff when you let the clutch out. Now that I think about it, it seems to alternate sides.

[michael]

Can someone tell me what worn outrigger bushings feel like?