KiwiGT Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 My 1999 Legacy GT Wagon has a vibration that occurs at about 40kph (25mph). It is not engine related as I can shift to nuetral and it keeps vibrating until speed drops below about 30kph. Have had all wheels balanced and brake discs machined recently. Vibration resonates through the vehicle, but only at about that one speed. Any speeds above that are fine. Any ideas where I should start looking for the problem?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 I'd check the driveshaft u-joints and centre bearing, some play may cause resonance at that speed. My 1999 Legacy GT Wagon has a vibration that occurs at about 40kph (25mph).It is not engine related as I can shift to nuetral and it keeps vibrating until speed drops below about 30kph. Have had all wheels balanced and brake discs machined recently. Vibration resonates through the vehicle, but only at about that one speed. Any speeds above that are fine. Any ideas where I should start looking for the problem?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcspeer Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 You may have a belt seperated in one of the tires. If you have a good spare change them out one at a time and see if that will stop it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiGT Posted February 24, 2006 Author Share Posted February 24, 2006 I'd check the driveshaft u-joints and centre bearing, some play may cause resonance at that speed. I have now checked the drive shaft. Rear U-joints nice and tight. Centre bearing seems OK. No wear and only movement is in the rubber mounting. BUT, there is detectable play in the front u-joints AND the drive shalf can move up and down in the rear of the transmission tail housing. There is a noticable clicking and 1-2mm of movement when moved up and down by hand. Is that normal or is the driveshaft front end worn perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 I have now checked the drive shaft.Rear U-joints nice and tight. Centre bearing seems OK. No wear and only movement is in the rubber mounting. BUT, there is detectable play in the front u-joints AND the drive shalf can move up and down in the rear of the transmission tail housing. There is a noticable clicking and 1-2mm of movement when moved up and down by hand. Is that normal or is the driveshaft front end worn perhaps? You need a front u joint. All the joints should act the same. Yes this is exactly how it feels and it just gets worse and more severe with time nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 Hmm, I need to check mine too. I've been experiencing worsening vibrations recently, and when I last checked my driveshaft (a couple of weeks ago) there may have been some play - I'm not sure how much is normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 Hmm, I need to check mine too. I've been experiencing worsening vibrations recently, and when I last checked my driveshaft (a couple of weeks ago) there may have been some play - I'm not sure how much is normal. no play is normal; zero none nada zip nil:clap: nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 Where is Silverdale? I have relatives in Queenstown, New Plymouth, and Auckland. If you can't get a Subi fixed in Kiwi I guess you can't get one fixed anywhere. Good luck and I would also look for a U joint as that seems cheapest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcspeer Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 I dont think you can replace these U- joints, I think you will have to replace the drive shaft. They are over 500.00 dollars new. I got one for 150.00 out of the wrecking yard one time. I am now driving on my third one. 307,000 miles all stop and go. Also when the joints went bad in mine you could see the shiny part of the joint where it was getting the play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 I dont think you can replace these U- joints, I think you will have to replace the drive shaft. They are over 500.00 dollars new. I got one for 150.00 out of the wrecking yard one time. I am now driving on my third one. 307,000 miles all stop and go. Also when the joints went bad in mine you could see the shiny part of the joint where it was getting the play. Technically no you cant. What you CAN do (and this is a common fix) is take the drive shaft to a driveshaft shop (thats what i did). for 120.00 4 years ago they replaces the universal joints with ones (i think a ford ranger) that fit perfectly. It worked ofr a very long time. Otherwise you will have a heart attack when subaru tells you the price. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 second the driveshaft shop. u joints like bearings tend to be standard sizes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiGT Posted February 25, 2006 Author Share Posted February 25, 2006 Where is Silverdale? I have relatives in Queenstown, New Plymouth, and Auckland.If you can't get a Subi fixed in Kiwi I guess you can't get one fixed anywhere. Good luck and I would also look for a U joint as that seems cheapest. Silverdale is about 40kms north of Auckland city on the main highway, before you get to Orewa. We live in the country about 10kms West of Silverdale. You are right about getting Subarus fixed in New Zealand, there are more here than probably anywhere else. Mostly imported used from Japan. The reason I put the posting up was more so that I got straight to the problem rather than having a garage change costly bits and pieces until they found the fault. I now have it booked in on Weds to get the u-joint replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcspeer Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 I thought about trying a drive shaft shop but they are not any close to where I live. But I may give that a try next time, it costs way to much to buy new drive shafts. Technically no you cant. What you CAN do (and this is a common fix) is take the drive shaft to a driveshaft shop (thats what i did). for 120.00 4 years ago they replaces the universal joints with ones (i think a ford ranger) that fit perfectly. It worked ofr a very long time. Otherwise you will have a heart attack when subaru tells you the price. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 I thought about trying a drive shaft shop but they are not any close to where I live. But I may give that a try next time, it costs way to much to buy new drive shafts. You can also try a junkyard nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 Cheers Kiwi, Hope it all goes well.Thanks for the lesson on Silverdale, must have been near it from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 no play is normal; zero none nada zip nil:clap: nipper What is the best way to check for play? Should I try pulling on the shaft in the either direciton of the joints, up and down, both, etc? I'm trying to recall what I tried last time. And what exactly would constitute play? An audible click, a looseness when pulling? Sorry if these sound like silly questions, I just want to be sure. I always appreciate your help there nipper! Thanks. Damn car. Engine runs nice, trans shifts good. If I can inexpensively sort out the poor handling (probably struts), odd excessive vibrations (possibly driveshaft), and exhaust leaks, I may actually get some more life out of this guy. So happy yesterday with her, running around town after a foot of snow was a piece of cake! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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