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Comments
Ed
The consensus on this from another site (nasioc):
1) The clunk is annoying and disconcerting, but poses no threat to safety or steering.
2) I haven't found anyone that's actually fixed it, but supposedly it can be reduced or eliminated.
3) Most have just accepted it as another Subaru "quirk"
Two threads of interest (note that '00 models aren't discussed, but they are included in the TSB):
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=91- 409
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36- 8718
If anyone has gotten it fixed, let us know.
utahsteve
I got the file, thanks. I find it hard to believe that no one knows of anyone getting it fixed. I have an app. to have mine looked at, "once again" this coming weds. I will be "locked and loaded" with the TSB. We will see what happens!
"Subaru quirk".....man I hope not. I hope this is something that can be fixed!! This thing bothers me sooooooo much that I would not get another subaru because of it. I paid too much for this car to have "clunks". Plus it appears this has been a "clunk" for many years in a ton of Subaru cars. Man, that sounds like Chevy or Ford type of work, not Subaru. I love the AWD but will be a tad disappointed if this ends up a quirk.
Also, thanks for those links. I had done a google search and had found them earilier. You sure get around on a lot of bb's. Keep up the good work, and thanks again for your time and energy.
John
If you are hearing a lot of 'clunks' under a wider array of driving situations, you may have something more going on, or you may have a severe case of the 'quirk'. You should definitely have that kind of thing looked at and corrected. At the same time, please understand that those of us who think of it as a minor issue do so because, for us, on our cars, that's all it is.
Cheers,
-wdb
I have also been told that MANY of the obnoxious noises these Outbacks make are simply "quirks" of the car by the dealer. One reader pointed out my Superman hearing when I complained of such annoyances. It appears by reading that those who watch and write responses to many of these posts do not mind these quirks because they love their vehicle for one reason or another. It is wonderful to like your purchase. Admittedly, there are advantages to this vehicle, AWD, cargo room, safety factors, along with other reasons that made me want the car to begin with. They also hold a price tag not as horrible as some other vehicles in this category.
I as well also expected a lot from the simple fact that I related Subaru with quality. While others will undoubtably disagree, I relate quality NOT ONLY with factors of safety, i.e. AWD-etc., but with a vehicle that is quiet enough to at least converse with out distractive transmission whines at highway speed and clunks etc. and lower speeds. Having the dealer say they are unrepairable "quirks" does not help. I too hope that Subaru "irons out" some of these annoyances. They keep Subaru on my ? list of vehicles.
I will be first in line- -OK, Maybe Third, when they improve on the internal noise factors.
They ARE fun to drive if you just crank the tunes!
John
It's amazing what you don't think of! I'll investigate.
Matt
When it does go, some vehicles will do nothing but perhaps break the heck out of the timing belt cover as the broken belt slaps off. Others will simply smash the valves that are open into the tops of the pistons. OUCH! For a couple hundred bucks, you can avoid either possibility and have peace of mind. If you are reselling the car, any smart buyer will ask if it has been replaced along with other maintenance questions.
Bob
Well another typical day when Lucien touches a wrench
Bought some ramps, got em home, put 'em together.....car is too low with the v5/H&Rs. Back to get the extensions......still too low. Ok, so then we got some wood for the front tires to "step" up on, and that solved it. Ok great, 90 minutes in and we finally can start working on the actual thermostat!
Dropped the thermostat housing, no prob. Got a little messy, but no biggie.
pulled the old thermostat, no prob.
put the new one in with the new gasket...easy.
Put the housing on, tightened, the 1st bolt. threaded the second bolt. Tightened it as well. Aw heck, one more turn for good mea....SNAP!! Ugh. sheared off right at the block. Tried to drill it out, no luck, other than probably wrecking the threads in there. Put the old thermostat back in, dumped in as much water as I could and made a run for my mechanic shop a mile away, where she now sits awaiting the dawn of Monday morning. I just hope the original threading can be salvaged trying to get that bloody bolt out. Nice, simple shade-tree kinda job
Next time think of it this way; what is that bolt actually doing? It's just holding a little cover in place, and squishing that gasket a little bit so the coolant won't leak out. Really, that's all it's doing. It doesn't have to be very tight to do that. Also, you should start them all, then make them all snug, then put the final pinch on them, in that order, just like you would lug nuts.
Sorry,
-wdb
It'd be more risk than I'm willing to take, but it's your call.
-juice
Some bolts require inch-pounds of force. Others require 100+ lb-ft.
-juice
Bob
You been working out? ;-)
Sorry to hear about the turn of events.
Ken
Also, perhaps the bolt itself was brittle, and it's better to find out now, in a controlled environment.
-juice
...in the way of these things, you know the time it chooses to break will be on a cold dark night, in the middle of nowhere, when you are in a huge hurry to get twenty eight things done.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Greg
-juice
yes, it's Alanis.
-Colin
Thanks for setting me straight,
Greg
The patient has survived surgery without requiring a water pump transplant. She's under observation until tomorrow. rest of 60k was uneventful. I've been driving the Outback today. Still a very nice car, but.......
I MISS MY BABY!!!!!! I don't care if she's gonna blow her gaskets, I don't care about the bone jarring v5 setup, the droning Brullen 2.25" pipe, the mystery thunk in the left rear, the place where a case of wine shredded the interior skin on the back door, the exposed seat bolts because the Legacy trim covers don't fit the RS mounts. She goes when spanked and outhandles anything I've driven since I test drove a built e30 325is 2 years ago. I'm just used to all the sharp edges, it's what I like.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Ken
Could it be the rear differential is just low on gear oil? It could also be that the 2 rear tires are significantly different in size from wear, which would cause the differential to work overtime.
It is not a common problem though. If there is indeed a problem with it (not leaking, not caused by tire wear), it may be covered under warranty.
-Brian
We have been diligent in maintaining tire pressure and there isn't any sign of a leak. However, in the first year of operation, there was tire pull from the Geolander tires. This took a long time to diagnose as the alignment settings were correct. The upshot is that the Geolander tires did settle into different diameters. Moving tires around between wheels solved the problem. But, perhaps two dissimilar diameters wound up in the rear. Tread wear seems to be equal, however.
"When I make a sharp turn at low speed, I hear tires slipping .. sort of a chattering slipping noise"
Every time it rains, I play with my WRX by sliding at 60 and 90 degree coner at low speed. I always hear a chattering slipping noise from the rear tires. I watch some Japanese drifting video, those cars are making same kind of noise. Isn't it normal?
Mario
-juice
ostrosky: have the mechanic (or you) drain the rear diffy first. That'll tell you a lot. If the oil is clowdy and dark, just change it. Check the drain plug, it's magnetic and any metal shavings would indicate wear to the limited-slip device. If it's gone, there will be a lot of shavings, maybe even chunks of metal.
It's possible that the oil is low or just spent and that's what's making noise. Let us know?
Mario: a CEL is not a big deal, let the dealer diagnose and see if it comes on again. If it were serious, the light would be blinking. In that case, park it and have it towed.
-juice
Dave
-juice
Anyone have experience with GreenStuff pads, preferable on the street?
Dave
-Colin
I've heard others like the Wagner pads, too.
-Colin
Dave
Steve
-juice
O2 sensors are purchased from other manufacturers and sometimes come in "bad" batches.
Ken
I'll be putting in Amsoil 75W-90 gear lube in the Diff. and gearbox. Any body have problems using it??
Thanks.
MNSteve (3.75" of rain Tues. nite)