96 Outback noise...

[sgeissler]

Yes another Outback noise post! I didn't see one exactly like mine so I thought I'd try a new one.

Have a 96 Outback, automatic, 106,000 miles. There's a knocking clunking sound when you coast down a hill or slight incline, or up to a stop sign...seems to go away when you accelerate or hit the brakes. I don't feel any rubbing anywhere in the steering and it's not turning related (we had that Outback problem fixed a while back) When I open the window I can't hear the noise outside...seem like it's coming from under the floorboard under the firewall or something - back of the engine?

Is this yet another CV/inner axle joint/axle boot problem?

Any thoughts?

Thanks all!

[RallyKeith]

Yes another Outback noise post! I didn't see one exactly like mine so I thought I'd try a new one.

Have a 96 Outback, automatic, 106,000 miles. There's a knocking clunking sound when you coast down a hill or slight incline, or up to a stop sign...seems to go away when you accelerate or hit the brakes. I don't feel any rubbing anywhere in the steering and it's not turning related (we had that Outback problem fixed a while back) When I open the window I can't hear the noise outside...seem like it's coming from under the floorboard under the firewall or something - back of the engine?

Is this yet another CV/inner axle joint/axle boot problem?

Any thoughts?

Thanks all!

 

Boy, sure seems like it could be an inner CV, or maybe a rear. Try laying under the car and looking for rings of grease on the body in line with the rubber boots.

 

Keith

[sgeissler]

Thanks Keith...I'm going to take it in to the dealer...I will be sure to come back here and tell what it was.

[TheYeti]

Is it a rythmic noise related to the speed, or is it present while going over a bump in the road?

 

If it isn't speed related, check the endlinks on your swaybars.

[nipper]

If its a hollow knock it can be the center bearing or drive shaft universals. If it is the dealer is going to come back with a shocking number. Let us know what the dealer finds then we can advise from there.

 

nipper

[sgeissler]

Sometimes it's related to speed, directly related to a slowdown/slowcoast, like when rolling up to a stop light or sign, other times, like rolling down my street, it just seems a random knocking/clunking. I don't feel any change in steering. Putting on the brakes or accelerating usually stops it. I do not hear that it is bump related. A bump or rougher part of the road doesn't cause it to make the noise.

After you speed up a bit, you don't hear it, you don't hear it coasting on the highway like for slowing interstate traffic...just low speeds.

Thanks all!

[sgeissler]

Just wanted to follow up to your guys on this.

All the half axles and CV joinst and boots checked out ok. I looked at the driver side brakes and noticed that there were no shims on the brake pads. There's supposed to be 3 all together - 2 on one side and 1 the other side of each set of pads. My wife had Midas do the front brakes a year and a half ago and I don't think they ever put the shims back in. I think as the pads wore they got very loose in the caliper and that was the knocking, clunking that stopped when you hit the brakes.

At any rate, they put in a new brake hardware kit. Also, the rear brakes at 107,000 miles were pretty wore down so I had that done too with new rotors.

So all's well and quiet. Get this...after all that with Midas, I get home and the emergency brake doesn't work...the kid forgot to readjust it with the new rotors. Had to go back and sit and wait to have that done.

G.D. you have to do everything yourself or it's messed up.

Anyway, thanks all for the help and quick responses.