Was off for a ride yesterday, family and bikes loaded, off up the motorway, after 60mile or so massive vibration begins, next exit off, stop, inspect, OK, drive on. 10mins later, same again.
Any way, turned around and went home. Diagnosis time.
Rolling slow with no load/power you could hear a road speed tick, with a front and rear wheel off the ground could feel a lump in the rotation.
So I pulled the LF drive shaft, as that was where the noise seemed to come from, but still lumpy. Now drop the g/box oil, and on the mag plug were bloomin diff side gear teeth, DOH!
Anyway spent the morning pulling the box, opened it and discovered to my dismay the frickin centre diff has detonated, spraying it's contents through the box.
New centre diff unit required. And I thought bikes were a faff!
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My Subaru is broken. :-(
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Not good! Top marks for knowing what your doing though, I'd be facing a big bill from the dealer!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Sorry to hear that. What sort of Subaru? Mileage?
Posted 2 years ago # -
It's a 98 Outback, 5spd m/t, with hi/lo. Now at 150km. Looking about on the net c/diff failure isn't unheard of, but this isn't just worn out, it has detonated - all the teeth of the spider gears wiped off, and the viscous can blew itself out the back of its housing.
No donuts, tyres a full set, mystery to me.Posted 2 years ago # -
When did you last check/change the diff oil?
Where are you sourcing the part? I'd recommend going to a breakers NOT a dealer (if you were thinking that!). I bought a front drive shaft (fitted) for £160. Subaru wanted close to £900.
Posted 2 years ago # -
yep, don't go to subaru for spare parts. they wanted £365 for a single alloy which i've just got from a breakers on ebay for £90 posted.
good work on stripping that little lot down though!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Why are they soo expensive? They sell and also service Hyundia's and some other noddy brand and the 'dealership' itself looks like a middling-Indie place yet they charge Audi prices it seems. The mind-boggles.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I guess because they think they can - small brand, not really a supply of non-oe parts unlike Fords where it seems every man and his dog makes spares.
Posted 2 years ago # -
to be fair though, it's rare that you need spare bits!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ouch, that's unpleasant. I'd be wondering if another part had been playing up to get to that point. Is there an electronic centre-diff lock on the outback that could have failed locked?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Would Legacy bits fit? Bob at Oneplanet in Llandegla has one thats a non runner due to blown engine.
Posted 2 years ago # -
And the prices - well they're probably like performance toyota parts, regular things (service items) are cheap enough, odd stuff like plastics, hoses are cheapish but major parts like body panels and mechanical items are hugely expensive. Toyota wanted well over 100 quid + vat for my waterpump (service item at cam-belt time). Forutnately local autoparts has a very good copy for £36.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I've replaced the centre diff, viscous coupling on my Legacy. You dont need to remove the whole gear box.
Try HDC Subaru in Hedden Bridge. 01422 846868. These guys really know their onions, and will talk you through it. I paid £100 for the parts and £12 for carriage. Subaru want ed £800 +
I used extra long metric fine bolts to 'pull' the housing , coupling assembly back together. I had to buy a lot of them. If you need some, give me a shout.
Posted 2 years ago # -
All Japanese car parts are hideously expensive. Just a fact of life.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Try HDC Subaru in Hedden Bridge
OP's in NZ isnt he?
I bought my driveshaft from HDC- second them.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I fiured out later that I could have done the c/diff in car, but was suspecting the front diff anyway, so pulled the box. Also, with the amount of shrapnel in there its good to have it open and cleaned out.
I haven't looked for a part yet, might price new for fun, but I expect it will be a breaker job.
There is no electronic control, plain old viscous. No service requirements, it just lives in the gearbag, same oil etc.Posted 2 years ago # -
You'll need a funnel and a section of innertube zip tied to it to refill with gear oil when its in place. Gearbox uses semi synthetic oil. Coupling replacement is pretty straightforward, even easier if you have the gearbox out and on the bench.
Posted 2 years ago #
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