2004 2.0XT Gearbox Whine - is it propshaft joint?

[SO04OBY]

Hi folks,

Our 2004 2.0XT manual - approx 40k and serviced - has developed a gearbox whine that starts a minute or two from cold and is getting noticeably worse.

 

I've listened to it on a ramp and it seems to be gearbox rather than wheel bearing and is still there on the road when you slip it into neutral.

 

Any positive ideas? We're a bit short of Subaru specialists in this area of Kent and I'm reluctant to give it to a general garage who will just strip down and replace things until it's gone away.

 

Any pointers to the problem or specialists in West Kent would be appreciated

 

Simon

[Mr B]

does it do it if in neutral & stationary ! if yes then not the prop.

Could be input shaft bearings, could even be clutch release bearing perhaps !

If you drive along at about 50mph & press clutch down put in neutral & keep clutch down does it still do it & does it  seem match vehicle speed, does light blip on throttle make any change !

Heard a few Foresters with whiny boxes, sometimes a change of oil, using a recommended quality oil (thread on here about it or the oilman can be very helpful here) can help dramatically.

[SO04OBY]

does it do it if in neutral & stationary ! if yes then not the prop.

Could be input shaft bearings, could even be clutch release bearing perhaps !

If you drive along at about 50mph & press clutch down put in neutral & keep clutch down does it still do it & does it  seem match vehicle speed, does light blip on throttle make any change !

Heard a few Foresters with whiny boxes, sometimes a change of oil, using a recommended quality oil (thread on here about it or the oilman can be very helpful here) can help dramatically.

 

Not in neutral when stationary but as above when you slip it into neutral when driving it's still there and still there when the clutch is depressed. It is road speed related not engine speed. Does that help?

Thanks v much

Simon

[Mr B]

Hard to be real helpful without hearing it in person really.

from your info it would deffo seem like transmission or running gear.

Gearboxes whine & wheel bearings whine plus rear diffs, & those 3 are the common ones on high mileage/towing fozzies.

Only ever done one prop that I recall but indeed it should be looked at as possible area of concern.

If noise is more of a whuring on/off drone it more likely wheel bearing or prop.

I would suggest another test drive & rock the fozzy left to right via short abrupt steering movement (do so on dry & clear straight road safely) if noise goes away when rocking it could indicate wheel bearing.

I have seen loads of bad diagnosis & expense turn into a wheel bearing so don't rule it out.

Personally I would also run it on ramp in gear & use stethoscope to help trace noises.

If believed was gearbox & considered to be minimal concern would probably try a quality oil as first option, whiny gearbox can go on for thousands of miles but first need better diagnosis on source of noise. Good luck ...

[SO04OBY]

Ok thanks Mr B - I'll drive it again and rock it about and see whether the whine stops then.

 

I have had it on a ramp with the wheels driving and it did seem to be gearbox orientated. As you rightly say it's worth checking to avoid ££ of cost at a garage. It's only done just shy of 40k in its life.

 

I'd like to try and find a sooby specialist in West Kent that might help....

 

Thanks for yours. It's appreciated.

[Mr B]

Ok thanks Mr B - I'll drive it again and rock it about and see whether the whine stops then.

 

I have had it on a ramp with the wheels driving and it did seem to be gearbox orientated. As you rightly say it's worth checking to avoid ££ of cost at a garage. It's only done just shy of 40k in its life.

 

I'd like to try and find a sooby specialist in West Kent that might help....

 

Thanks for yours. It's appreciated.

Happy to help, if been more local would of been happy put it on our ramps for inspection, no conclusion no bill is my motto :-)

40K is low miles but short trips, cold transmission & a lot of gear work kills a car 3 times as fast as one doodling up & down the motorway and on 120K.

My bet would be box as not unusual here a fozzy box a bit rumbly, good oil can help & if not too serious it could see another 40k without attention.

[SO04OBY]

Happy to help, if been more local would of been happy put it on our ramps for inspection, no conclusion no bill is my motto :-)

40K is low miles but short trips, cold transmission & a lot of gear work kills a car 3 times as fast as one doodling up & down the motorway and on 120K.

My bet would be box as not unusual here a fozzy box a bit rumbly, good oil can help & if not too serious it could see another 40k without attention.

 

When you say 'good oil' for the transmission; what do you recommend? The vehicle was always serviced by Walldonway who were Subaru main dealers until closure a couple of years ago. The last two services have been by a local garage.

 

Would be helpful to tell them what to put in?

 

Really grateful for the help

 

Simon

[Mr B]

Standard transmision service oil we use for your average Subaru is castrol Syntrax 75/90 (now branded as universal)

An oil that has helped in past experience is motul 300 75/90. Another good one being Valvoline synpower 75/90

If indeed gearbox bearing you could look at Molyslip gearbox additive or similar along with fresh oil > castrol Syntrax & see how works out !, have seen a few rumbly discovery/landrovers drastically improve with it.