KaraK

AhHa! I think I may know who RooWho Is... Are you Ron??? (A non-Soob car-guy old friend)???? If you hadn't moved to flippin TX. you know I would be there!!!

Just seemed wierd, driving at a steady speed (like 60mph) let off the gas, sound diminished, put on the gas- (not enough to really accelerate) just "put it under load" (if that makes sense) tunk,tunk,tunk sound very pronounced. OK- I thought this comment^^^would've been a "smoking gun" for all of you that know more than I... But... How's this for another piece of the puzzle... Car pulls to the left upon acceleration... Example...Driving along at 40 MPH. @ 1500 RPMs, step on it, to 2000ish RPMs, car pulls to the left, steering wheel pulls to the right... Does any of this make any sense to anyone??? I am an ignorant F***, ready to take it somewhere, but don't want to be clueless as to the diagnosis... Thanks-K

Thanks Dave- Both rears??? Haven't had them apart at all, yet... Anything special I need to be aware of- when I do them? Got the fronts all fingered out. (Thanks to Tom...TheLoyale) All I know is old GM's...

E-brake-front wheels???!!!??? Is this true for mine??? (2001 3.0L Outback-Automatic)?

Jo- see PM. Went for a drive today, (froze my a** off w/windows open) and think the noise starts around 45-50mph. hard to tell, on these rough roads. Was definately less pronounced, than 60mph on smooth highway. Stuck calipers- been there, done that. I check wheel temps. just about every time I drive. Rears slightly warmer than fronts- but not hot, and nothing drastic. Am curious though, which has E-brake? Really don't think this is the brakes, yes they have issues- but... When I went onto that exit ramp, I was NOT braking at the time. Just seemed wierd, driving at a steady speed (like 60mph) let off the gas, sound diminished, put on the gas- (not enough to really accelerate) just "put it under load" (if that makes sense) tunk,tunk,tunk sound very pronounced. I am still unable to determine if it's engine or wheel speed related-sorry.

OK- It is possible I have more than one issue going on... I would have bet that these current noises were coming from the front- axle,suspension,or bearing related- but I am no "mechanical genius"... Just seemed wierd, driving at a steady speed (like 60mph) let off the gas, sound diminished, put on the gas- (not enough to really accelerate) just "put it under load" (if that makes sense) tunk,tunk,tunk sound very pronounced. Problem w/all the non-busy, roads around here, they are all done w/tar and pea gravel- hard to hear anything, but the crunchy gravel sound- but I'll try. For the record, I do need rear brakes. Got the "warped rotor pulse" going on. Which wheel has E-brake? (just one rear right?) Would a bad bearing heat up the wheel? (fronts are not hot)

Thanks Olnick- I need all the luck I can get at this point! Doesn't seem "engine-ish" to me but... I've been wrong, plenty of times before...

Hmmmm, that is a good question- that I don't know how to answer... I think I'm gonna go with wheel rotation speed- cause it was a steady rhythmic sound. It did not go faster when I stepped on the gas- just got more pronounced/noticable.

I just went out and measured my 01 Outback- that thing looks too narrow to fit my car.

Ahhggghh, O happy day :-\ Got some new/worse symptoms to post. I haven't had any more of the hard-core loud, thunk/clunks lately, but... As of this AM. driving straight forward, at highway speeds. Not sure if it's more of a sound, or a feeling.... But, she's doing a steady tunk, tunk, tunk, tunk, tunk, tunk...... almost like a pulsing feeling. It seems to diminish when I take my foot off of the gas pedal. Give it a little gas, and it comes right back... tunk, tunk, tunk, tunk, tunk......When I veered to the right, onto an exit ramp, it got worse. I don't really notice it at slower speeds, on the "rougher" country roads. But on the smooth highway at 60mph(ish). Very,very pronounced. I'd really appreciate any insight ya'll could give me on this. Thanks-K

Best of Luck! - We're all rootin for ya!!! Anyone know- What years/models (if any) really need that Subaru coolant conditioner additive??? VS. straight up "green antifreeze"/water?

Is there a recall on this??? Thought I saw something about shift linkage... I'm no expert though...

-sorry for the terrible picture quality--- (copied from a 20yr old VCR tape)... maybe we can see something newer soon!?!? This car still kicks A**!!!!

Enjoy...

Thank You! Sorry it took me so long to get back- having all sorts of issues... Ain't life grand!

Would this show a code????

Hmmm... My 2001 3.0 does this as well, I was told, by "someone on here" that "that's what Subarus do"...

Thank You all for your input! At this point, I'm thinking my axle(s) may be in the "early stages" of junk... Someone re-used an axle nut or two... But... Kinda leaning more to the suspension issues... Recent Clunk/thunks happened while turning, on incline/declines. But, I'm also hearing noises on just bumpy surfaces, going straight. (Not these hard core thunk/clunks though) The roughest ground I normally drive on is my own driveway- but that's a "relatively short" distance. So I wasn't obsessing... I went to an estate/barn sale a couple of weeks ago- and had to drive on a mowed farm field- There were some weird clunky/thunk noises going on then. What should I be looking for to diagnose suspension issues? Are there specific tests I can perform? Tolerances to be aware of? Thanks again to all for your input!!

Yeah, OK, I was kinda embarassed to post this... but you may be right on this one- I have not smelled this smell on the last couple of test drives... maybe something was run over, and got stuck up under there... Haha- judging by the appearance of the car when I got it back, lots of stuff had been run over- in "the other 1/2's" care -Haha- I spent some time under the car... and Yes, it has some leaks... -a valve cover -"seems like" the tranny pan -something "i don't know what it is" (steering related???) Anyway the smell has not returned thus far, checked all fluids, (except, rear diff.) Everything seems OK, so I'm not gonna freak on that anymore, for now.

Well, back to the Subaru... Did a more careful "hands on" inspection of all boots...no cracks/grease. Torqued the LF axle nut to 140 ft lbs- I don't think it moved- Although I kinda question the torque wrench I used, kinda looks like it's "been around the block" so to speak, more than once. Maybe I'll see about getting a different one to try. Gonna take her out on the highway tomorow and see what happens...

My first car was a "classic" Turquoise 1965 2 door Chevy Bel Aire, 6cyl. auto. -don't even know what engine it was...230-250-292???(coolest/oldest car on the high school lot!) parents bought it, cause they thought I couldn't handle the 1963 Ford Galaxy 351-3 on the tree, that was their "second car"- my Dad was just starting to teach me about cars, but he died the day I got my "temps" (probationary license) Maybe that's what got me started with the old GM stuff... I do love my Soob though...

Ah haa-"a not quite as cool" -1986... all original, 305- crappy metric 4spd trans.,I bought from an old guy, right before I got my Soob last summer. It is pretty clean for being a WI car it's whole life, but needs a little lovin' Broke windshield, needs complete exhaust-from the engine back, door skins are seperated at the bottom, doors don't unlock from the outside,a little rot in the rear quarters, paint is so-so(on second thought... paint's bad) Front end is a little loose... But- it starts,runs,stops,and steers-so what else can you ask for??? Gotta love them old Chevys... (gotta few of them)

Ah ha- took a roadtrip in the ElCamino- borrowed a torque wrench, and a 32MM socket- will check that axle nut at the first opportunity.

Wow! Thanks for all the input! #1 Axle nut... OK it is wierd that there were 2 crimps, neither in the slot. By right hand threads, this means regular clockwise right? Soooo- it might make sense that the Left (driverside) may have loosened if it wasn't torqued properly. If this is the case, is the axle now ruined? or can I just tighten it, and it'll be OK? If I can drive it to a friends place 35 miles away, I could probably borrow socket/torque wrench. Think this is OK? or should I take it to a nearby shop? #2 Boots... Hmmm, I only "felt up" the ones on the LF where I "assume" the clicks to be coming from. But, I didn't see grease spatter near any of them- will check further. #3 Leaks/smell... Been wrenching on my (old GM's) for a couple of years now, this smell is like nothing I've ever smelled coming from a car. This is why I maybe agree burning grease in a CV might be it... my other cars are all RWD... I will check further. Need to know... Is axle ruined if nut is loose???