5 speed in, suspect bad DOJs now

[Speedwagon]

I suspect that the previous 4 speed that was missing a tooth in the front diff, has caused some other problems now. I got the car like this, so today was the first time I've driven it since the day I bought it.

 

With the 5 speed in, there is a vibration when driving, that is definitely vehicle speed related. Didn't hear any clicking on turns, so I suspect the DOJs are bad. At least, that's my reasonable estimation. Is there a good way to check for sure on these? I can't feel any vibrations in the shifter or 4x4 lever, so I don't think it's in the transmission itself(and I would hope not, since I just put this one in!).

 

I'll add that with the 4 speed, the axle stubs would actually move up and down a little bit as the missing tooth came around, and a good solid clunk was heard.

[idosubaru]

Driveshafts are notorious for vibrations too i'd want some more info before declaring anything definitive.

 

Are the axles original, how do they look?

 

If they're after market axles that have been replaced or the boots look new, then there's a good chance those are the issue.

[edrach]

The definitive test for DOJ failure is if the vibration does away when you let off on the gas pedal. If the vibration stays on trailing throttle it's not the DOJ.

 

Sometimes the vibration is so slight another person not used to your car would not notice it; sometimes it can be so bad you think the transmission is about to fall out of the car. In either case, if the vibration ceases on trailing throttle it's a pretty definite indication of a bad DOJ.

[Speedwagon]

I think, but don't remember for certain, that the vibration went away when I let off the gas. Also, I forgot to mention, that it starts out as a click-click-click from a stop, then turns into a rumble while driving that is felt in the seat.

 

And I know the driver's side has been replaced, as the previous owner told me they did(it was actually the trans that was the problem). They probably went super cheap on it too, considering the way the rest of the car was.

 

Assuming it is the DOJs, are there other problems that can arise from not replacing them right away? Will it cause bearing failure inside the trans, or anything like that?

Edited December 15, 2009 by Speedwagon

[idosubaru]

Noise, no problem, i've driven them 50,000 miles like that. Vibration is bad - it can break the plastic speedo gear inside the transmission case, it's very close to the axle but inside the trans. Guess how I know this

 

Pack some grease in there by hand and the vibrations should go away? Or the boots are intact? In that case the axle is junk, common aftermarket problem. I recommend Subaru or MWE only. Get a used Subaru axle and reboot it.

[Speedwagon]

Ok, the noise definitely goes away as soon as I let off the gas. Very distinct when I go on/off throttle.

 

And while cleaning the car out today(previous owner left all kinds of crap in it), I found a receipt for a used axle, looks like the receipt said it was for front right. The front left is definitely a reman'd from the looks of it though. All boots are intact on all the axles.

[edrach]

Ok, the noise definitely goes away as soon as I let off the gas. Very distinct when I go on/off throttle.

 

And while cleaning the car out today(previous owner left all kinds of crap in it), I found a receipt for a used axle, looks like the receipt said it was for front right. The front left is definitely a reman'd from the looks of it though. All boots are intact on all the axles.

If the receipt is recent, I would guess the PO got a bad reman. My vote is for replacing that side (just a guess).