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2000 Outback front right humming


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A couple of months ago developed intermittent whining.  A couple of weeks ago turned constant after 30 mph but lessened with speed.  This week has turned into a humming like when you put a card in the spoke of the wheel of your bike.  Only occurs with depressing the accelerator.  Took it to the shop, CV boot was torn so they replaced the axle, no change.  Took to transmission and they think it is the deferential and say it is a $3500.  The car is worth $2500.  Is this the right diagnosis?  Are there other options to fix or prolong the life of this car without this expensive fix?  Please help!

 

Greg

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If they changed an axle with a torn boot hoping the noise would go away (vs actually diagnosing the axle) they may not have sufficient skill to diagnose your problem.

 

A whine when accelerating only is consistent with a bad differential.

 

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Sounds like a bad front diff.  if car is capable of many more reliable miles and in decent shape then it's worth fixing.

 

Here's the best option and most commonly utilized by folks on this board:

1. $1,000 = $600 used transmission + $400 labor and new gear oil/transmission fluid.

 

Those transmissions are robust and if one is in good condition when you buy it it's likely to last a very long time, change all the fluids immediately when it's installed and thereafter.

 

Or:

2. $1,600 = $600 new ring and pinion and parts + $1,000 labor to install

You'll need to find someone that's familiar with replacing a front diff though - a skilled shop or transmission shop.  It requires some set up that many won't know or won't want to do.

 

Most shops jump straight to rebuilds or replacements...not necessary, these transmissions are very reliable and a full rebuild is overkill.  Just replace the transmission or the front diff if you can find a shop that knows how to do it.

 

You can also source a used front differential but that's more effort than most people want to get into.

 

There are numerous used transmissions in Utah for $500 - $600:

801-732-8400

1-888-832-2108

1-800-624-7062

1-801-252-0400

1-801-252-0400

 

expand your search to other neighboring states and maybe you'll find even cheaper:

http://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

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