I came across this old thread after googling pretty heavy the past three says. I have this same exact problem going on. I’ve already drained my diff and there is a bit of metal in the oil. The rag I was using to clean up looked like it was dusted with glitter. I’m going to replace the trans when I can find one for $1-200 and replace myself. I’ve located one from a reputable guy two hours away but I just can’t justify putting that much into this thing ($500)at 270k miles.
I just started getting the whining noise recently. Although I do have a UEL header and a manga flow exhaust in my Legacy wagon so it may have been making noise earlier but I couldn’t hear from the rumble.
Im curious if anyone has the part number for the this bearing? I’m thinking of maybe just trying that first and if it goes south then go to plan B and go pull a trans at pick in pull that’s only a couple blocks from me.
Also how long did you make it before you ended up not being able to drive any longer?
I realize this is a pretty old thread but after days of googling this has by far been the MOST detailed post about this topic I have yet came across.
Thanks!
