Clunking when turning in AWD?

phaux · #1 06-05-2006, 06:49 PM

When I run the car in AWD and take turns the car makes a loud clunking noise. Does not do it in FWD. Any ideas?

thanx

NikFu S. · #2 06-05-2006, 07:18 PM

Common symptom of a transfer valve solenoid failure. The AWD is in a full-time lock and binding around corners.
If you keep driving it in that condition something is liable to break, possibly your rear diff.

The fact it goes away when you insert the FWD fuse is sorta good.
Beware however, driving in FWD mode is for diagnosis and very short distance driving only as it my further damage you drivetrain.

phaux · #3 06-06-2006, 07:29 PM

How much is the parts to repair that? How hard is it to do?

thanx

NikFu S. · #4 06-06-2006, 07:40 PM

I hear a new transfer valve assembly is in the $300 range. I have been looking for one myself.
Differentials are more costly. Someone else might be able to give you a better solution to that one.

In my opinion, difficulty level is very high, due to the fact you must remove the exhaust. I don't know about you, but mine is rusted and must be cut off. I intend to repair my AWD system when I have an exhaust system ready to weld up.
According to memory, the valve assembly sits at the far rear of the transmission in a bell housing that can be opened without doing more then removing the driveline. Diff obviously is at the other end of the shaft.
In any case, leave the diff alone and just replace the valve assembly. According to the experts even if one part of it fails it is best to replace the entire thing.
Also, a bad rear diff will not damage your new assembly, whereas a bad assembly will destroy a new rear diff. (:

Mr. Pockets · #5 06-06-2006, 09:42 PM

Okay, first of all, what do you mean by 'when I run the car in AWD?' You're inserting and removing the FWD fuse? Are you doing this a lot? Why are you doing it?

The solenoid for the transfer clutch should not be nearly as expensive as Nik says. What will drive up the cost is the following suggestion: you might as well replace the clutch itself while you're in there.

I wouldn't attempt the repair without a manual and I wouldn't attempt it if you haven't done some pretty complicated stuff already. There are things you can mess up easily without knowing it, and the result will be a bad transmission.

I'm not entirely convinced your problem is transfer clutch-related anyway. You could also be describing a bad axle.

Mr. Pockets · #6 06-06-2006, 09:46 PM

Subaruparts.com says a new transfer clutch valve assembly is $88.

Now you don't have to 'look' for one, Nik.

phaux · #7 06-14-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

Okay, first of all, what do you mean by 'when I run the car in AWD?' You're inserting and removing the FWD fuse? Are you doing this a lot? Why are you doing it?

I wouldn't attempt the repair without a manual and I wouldn't attempt it if you haven't done some pretty complicated stuff already. There are things you can mess up easily without knowing it, and the result will be a bad transmission.

I have been driving it with the fuse in as the clunking was worrying me. What does it damage when driving in FWD? I have purchased the repair manual and am confident in being able to do it as I have done a bit of work cars before, just nothing to do with trannies or AWD.

Thanx for all the input, was afraid I'd be having to buy a new tranny which I wasn't looking forward to. An $88 piece is much cheaper

nipper · #8 06-16-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaux

When I run the car in AWD and take turns the car makes a loud clunking noise. Does not do it in FWD. Any ideas?

thanx

Another possability is that its the carrier bearing that is between the two halves fo the druveshaft. That will make a clunking and thud noise, Torque bind is more of a grabbing on turns and doesnt usually make noise unless the clutches are fried. if the clutches are fried, then the fwd fuse trick wont work.
If it is torque bind, flush the tranny first. Normally that works 95% of the time, but since SVX tend to get a lot of material in thier fluid, im not sure if that will help. Still a flush is cheaper then a clutch pack.

nipper

intellibomb · #9 06-16-2006, 12:24 PM

as far as im concerned,

if my tranny gives me any grief further than it does now, and requires anything more than the 100~$ for the filter and fluid replacement,

im gonna bite the bullet and get a 6spd.

i figure dont fix whats not broken, but dont fix something that is broken with cheap ****.

sure the $$ is there... but if you can fix it for cheap than do that.
but to spend any sum larger than that on a stock 4eat... silly
a 4.44 4heat will only run you about 5-600 depending on what wrecker you get it from... and that is easily what the tranny will cost you to "fix" if you take it anywhere.

do a cheap fix, and start hunting for the proper trans. imho, thats the only way. my tranny is on the way out, and when i find that perfect deal on the right 6mt, its on!

just sitting at work with nothing to do, thought i would chime in