1991 Legacy knocking when turning left...

[Gordy_Mac]

hi there

 

Thought I would give this forum a try, I've been to a couple mechanics, not had too much luck.

 

I have a 1991 Legacy awd 2.0 non turbo station wagon, automatic.

 

A knocking sound occurs when driving above 40kph and is particularly noticeable at 100kph. It happens not so much when driving straight, but when turning the wheel to the left. You particularly here it if going over slight bumps (when car become "weightless" - not literally ha! I'm sure you know what I mean...). Also, it only really makes that noise when applying acceleration, come off the gas - it doesn't make much noise. It doesn't make noise when turning to the right.

 

I've had it looked at... Bearings are all ok, cv joints are ok, driveshaft ok, tyres and wheels are ok. Wheels are allingned.

 

The noise isn't getting progressively much worse. It's just ... there.

 

I was wondering if anyone had similar problems? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks

[subnz]

Wear in suspension struts / bushes  / worn steering rack  (anti roll / stabiliser bar bushes/links) perhaps  -  .re bumps.

 

Turning / bumps  etc could enhance / suppress worn component/s making a noise.

 

Check brakes also.  

 

Any  noise associated with turning / accelerating / decelerating usually suggests CV joints.

 

The 2 inner  one/s make noises  when accelerating or decelerating when worn / dry   

 and the  outer one/s click/knock etc when worn/dry also when turning 

 

You say CV joints have been checked but recheck /  make sure the rubber boots on the 4 joints are in good condition and not cracked and  if so that / those joint/s could be dry (need re greasing)  / or worn.

Edited September 5, 2015 by subnz

[Gordy_Mac]

Thanks for the reply all food for thought, which i need. I appreciate it. 

 

The one thing I should mention, and I felt it might have some relation to an inner cv joint ... I got a very potent smell in the interior a few days ago, not a clutch smell - almost as if something was burning. Very strong. In the interior. No smell from engine bay. I thought it might of been an inner CV joint gone - and with the exhaust running under the drivers side (RHand drive car) that made me think about getting it to a garage  (I have no access to ramps or pits just now unfortunately!) ... but - he said the cv joints were ok. He said the smell could be from the engine (it is a high milage, leaks a little bit ..... by no means guzzles oil, just a typical high milage engine with slightly leaky seals) and after a long journey oil could build up around exhaust area. It was just for that one day though, has not reoccured since, nor did it before ... and I do feel since that day, the shuddering noise when turning left has got marginally more noticeable. 

 

Another thing I can think of adding towards problem solving (in relation to you mention about suspension/steering...) If I were to approach a speed bump straight on, all sounds normal. If I were to approach a speed bump slightly diagonally, every now and then you would get a little 'clunk' from what feels like the drive train area (as opposed to suspension strut area).

 

It's slightly annoying because I was planning selling up shortly.... but don't want to sell on a potential lemon.

Edited September 5, 2015 by Gordy_Mac

[subnz]

In thinking further when you mention the noise coming from the drive train the noise could be from  the the transfer clutch ( centre diff ) and problems with its

 

associated electronic solenoid which controls how much drive is sent to the rear wheels which in l know nothing about.  Have only had manual Subarus.

 

These early autos were a 90/10 set up were they are predominately a front wheel drive until the front wheels loss of grip sending more drive to the rear wheels.

 

Agree also with a car of this age that the burning smell its probably a minor oil leak onto the exhaust but still worth investigating.

[lstevens76]

Properly check the front ball joints.  Get it in the air (jack, jack stands, etc...) and put a pry bar between the ball joint and control arm and check for movement.  They can click when turning and based on your mention of hearing it going over bumps leads me to believe they are moving.

 

I highly doubt a differential or AWD clutch system is going to be causing this specific problem due to the timing of the symptoms occurring.  This sounds like a suspension or steering component.  Another possibility is Struts or Strut Mounts.

[Gordy_Mac]

Excellent, thanks very much for both responses ... I'll keep this topic updated as and when I find the culprit problem! (hopefully might help future ones with similar issues).

 

Cheers