tranny noise or CV axle?

[bgambino]

So I was just out in California and I was driving my girlfriends 2000 forester...all was well

She calls me yesterday and it is making a bad noise...does not move in reverse.

So I have her on the phone with me and give it a try. seems to move a little then stop...same forward

Altho it is very hard getting accurate descriptions of mechanical things and sounds from a woman (no offense to you mechanical women out there...as few and far between as you may be).LOL

 

So I'm thinking the worst...tranny?...then I remember the CV axle

How would the best way to diagnose it?

Look under it and see if it is spinning (being careful no one gets run over of course!)?

 

Funny how it could go that quickly....I heard no noises

 

If it is the cv...she has a Autozone and pepboys in the area

I will be back out there 1st week in DEC. and could fix

 

thanks guys

[Mike104]

There was a thread a while back about some one who could not move car fwd and back and it was CV joints that had let go.

 

If is is an AT car you may not want to put aftermarket axles in from Pepboys or Autozone as some have reported vibration issues in drive when stopped if using non-Subaru or other quality axle suppliers.

 

Best way might be to get the car on a lift and with the engine idling (and wheels off the ground) see if they all spin when in fwd or drive.

 

If its an auto trans, maybe check the fluid quantity. Ask her if she had the oil changed since you drove it. Some have reported that quick lube places have drained the transmission fluid and then put more oil in the crank case.

 

I would lean more towards having you go and fix it rather than her getting taken by some questionable repair place.

[Fairtax4me]

A broken CV will be easy to spot just by looking. No need to even have the car in gear, much less running.

The CV boot will be all twisted around the axle, possibly ripped with grease thrown everywhere.

 

Is this car manual or automatic?

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

if the Subie Moves...

 

... seems to move a little then stop...same forward...

 

...even a Little, I Don't Believe it could be a Broken CV Joint, because if So, a Loud Grinding Noise will come out from the Wheel's Area and the Subie Won't move an inch; also you Wrote that you Drove it and I Guess that you Didn't Heard any CV Joint's Noise, isn't it?

So I Guess the Transmission is Having some Troubles.

is it Automatic? ... Let her Check the ATF Level and Shape, using a White Paper Towel to Describe Better the ATF Colour...

Hope this can Help.

Kind Regards.

[bgambino]

if the Subie Moves...

 

 

 

...even a Little, I Don't Believe it could be a Broken CV Joint, because if So, a Loud Grinding Noise will come out from the Wheel's Area and the Subie Won't move an inch; also you Wrote that you Drove it and I Guess that you Didn't Heard any CV Joint's Noise, isn't it?

 

So I Guess the Transmission is Having some Troubles.

 

is it Automatic? ... Let her Check the ATF Level and Shape, using a White Paper Towel to Describe Better the ATF Colour...

 

Hope this can Help.

Kind Regards.

 

I drove it 2 weeks ago and all was fine

In fact I looked over the car for her(it was her sons and no one had been using it for a short while) and tranny fluid (automatic) was red and smelled fine

154,000

Car seems to have been maintained well from previous owner--they have had it over a year

 

I will have to get her to put it into gear again

It sounded to me that when she put it into gear, it made a grinding noise. I thought that may mean the axle stub was stripped

If so....one should be able to look from above and see it spinning while the car is not moving correct?

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

... when she put it into gear, it made a grinding noise. ...

 

Now That points me to Think it is a CV Joint Failure...

I'm not sure about the 2000 Forester USA Version, but if it has the FWD / AWD Option and it have been in FWD only, you can Engage it in AWD and see if it Moves.

Kind Regards.

[Fairtax4me]

It should have a fuse holder on the passenger side strut tower that says "FWD" on it. Have her look to see if there is a fuse in that holder, if so, remove it, then she should at least be able to move the car (assuming the AWD still works). If it is able to move after removing that fuse (if it's in the holder) about 99% chance it's one of the front axles.

[bgambino]

There was a thread a while back about some one who could not move car fwd and back and it was CV joints that had let go.

 

If is is an AT car you may not want to put aftermarket axles in from Pepboys or Autozone as some have reported vibration issues in drive when stopped if using non-Subaru or other quality axle suppliers.

 

Best way might be to get the car on a lift and with the engine idling (and wheels off the ground) see if they all spin when in fwd or drive.

 

If its an auto trans, maybe check the fluid quantity. Ask her if she had the oil changed since you drove it. Some have reported that quick lube places have drained the transmission fluid and then put more oil in the crank case.

 

I would lean more towards having you go and fix it rather than her getting taken by some questionable repair place.

 

 

So where do most of you buy CV axles from?

For the old GL/DL/Loyales I would buy them from my local carquest auto parts store and never had an issue

I have to buy it in California where she is as I am in NY and am not going to pack it in a suitcase (or I could mail order it?)

Anyone use the link on CCR's website for axles?...I think it was MWE

[Fairtax4me]

So where do most of you buy CV axles from?

For the old GL/DL/Loyales I would buy them from my local carquest auto parts store and never had an issue

I have to buy it in California where she is as I am in NY and am not going to pack it in a suitcase (or I could mail order it?)

Anyone use the link on CCR's website for axles?...I think it was MWE

 

MWE is a popular choice for quality new and rebuilt axles. Lots of people here recommend them.