View Full Version : Clanking from drivetrain?
So since we bought the STI there was always a slight clanking noise that comes from under the car. It usually happens either when I pull out the clutch or take my foot off the gas while cruising in 2nd or 3rd gear. Now scince we rebuilt the engine the noise happens a tiny bit louder and more often. It sounds like its coming from the drivetrain or possibly the tire rods or something but we have no freaking clue. Has anyone ever had or heard of this problem?
xxthat girlxx
09-05-2009, 10:21 AM
Not sure. But I have my own mystery noise, so I'm sad for you too.
SubyGirl8330
09-05-2009, 11:30 AM
my car would clank from the drive shaft mostly when i went around corners off the highways or something, i changed out the drive shaft and it went away.
O4rex
09-05-2009, 03:32 PM
i don't know if what i hear in my boys car is the same thing but whenever he makes hard pulls and shifts there's a loud clanking from under the back seat. his tuner said it's the bushings.
turbo_turtle
09-10-2009, 12:23 PM
Unfortunately, diagnosing car problems over the internet is like a doctor trying to give medical advise over the phone with someone who thinks they broke their leg. It's pretty tough to know exactly what it is because there are so many things that can make noise. And without hearing or seeing it in person, we won't really know where your problem is. Best advise is to have someone, that knows Subarus, look at it/drive it and then take action from there.
Sorry to be the bearer of sad news, but some people have been heavily mis-guided over the internets because someone thought they knew what their problem was. People have spent hundreds of dollars on something new that never needed to be replaced, and so on. Best of luck!
~Dan
Chris05STi
03-17-2010, 08:14 AM
Don't you have the Exedy Twin Disc? I know they chatter at times when not engaged. Try sitting at idle in N, then press the clutch in and out. If the chatter goes away its def the Twin Disc (which is normal).
No I know the clutch chatter your speaking of, when we first got the exedy clutch it did chatter for a few weeks until broken in, but this clanking is not the clutch. Its definetly coming from the passenger side of the car. We now believe that it is the ball joint, waiting for this weekend probably to get that fixed cuz it has progressivly gotten worse through out the winter... Poor Subie :(
Chris05STi
03-17-2010, 08:49 AM
Hmmm, maybe an axle. I had a similiar problem with my WRX. Does it progress as you pick up speed? Almost like a Thud thud thud, and then when you slow down its more like thud thud thud? Could be a wheel bearing as well?
Hmmm, maybe an axle. I had a similiar problem with my WRX. Does it progress as you pick up speed? Almost like a Thud thud thud, and then when you slow down its more like thud thud thud? Could be a wheel bearing as well?
No not the axel, Im familiar with that sound as well, since I used to drive Mazdas and they are infamous for axel issues and my outback has been clicking on the passengers side as well, i know its the axel...
This thud only happens when going over bumps or when engine braking.... He does need a wheel bearing on that same side, but we are pretty sure its the ball joint...
Chris05STi
03-17-2010, 01:07 PM
Hopefully its all fixed once you replace the ball joint. While your under the car, re-lube all the suspension components, that always helps.
Ill mention that to Ed, Tx!
BoostinChick
04-05-2010, 11:41 AM
Did you guys figure out what it is?
Surprised no one mentioned this yet, did you get your exhaust hangers? I am always reading about how the OEM rubber can be a bastard and since the exhaust sits so close to the driveshaft/mounts, if they go bad, they move around causing a clank.
If you get a chance, swing underneath and check those.
God no, we still havent completley figured it out. Ed took the wheel off the other day to find thatthe ball joint is in good condition, so he thinks it could be the axel... although it doesn't click or anything while turning the wheels either direction....or he mentioned something about the differential?... Still not 100% sure,but I will mention the exaust hanges, that sounds like a probable possibility. thanks!
jessickascarling
04-05-2010, 06:42 PM
Hopefully its all fixed once you replace the ball joint. While your under the car, re-lube all the suspension components, that always helps.
dan had a problem with a clunking noise... once he regreased his suspension compenents it seemed to help. clunking and clanking could be different since it's pretty objective... but when he lowered his car we regreased everything and it did make a difference. food for thought.
Ok so apparently part of the clunking issue is due to the worn out bushings on the Whiteline endlinks we purcchased new less than 6 months ago!! So who knows what other damage it has caused to the suspension..... We ordered and are now waiting for some Perrin Endlinks we ordered, but we wont completely know what else is messed up until he takes the whole thing apart... Will never go w/ Whiteline products again...
jessickascarling
04-07-2010, 08:18 PM
^i'm surprised whiteline isn't holding up... i've heard a lot of good things about them... something for me to think about when i go to purchase endlinks and sway bars for the legacy.
BoostinChick
04-07-2010, 08:51 PM
Glad you guys figured it out! I was going to suggest checking those bushings next...
^i'm surprised whiteline isn't holding up... i've heard a lot of good things about them... something for me to think about when i go to purchase endlinks and sway bars for the legacy.
Ya thats why we ordered them, cuz everyone speaks highly of their products. But I did ask him if he lubed the endlinks and bushings before he installed them and he said that he forgot, so that def adds to why they wore down so fast, but even so 6 months of driving on them w/o lube shouldnt have ruined them as bad as they are ruined. Its not like the car is tracked or beat on.... so idunno, we just got the perrins in yesterday, Im making sure he lubes them this time lol!
jessickascarling
04-15-2010, 08:23 PM
they always say.... lots and lots of lube :p :lol:
Lmao! Jess... :o ... Im blushing..... :rolleyes:
So we got the car back late last night, and most of the clanking/rattling is gone, buuuut there is still something loose in there! U can hear it rattle slightly still when going over a large pothole.... The MAIN clanking was due to the cracked steering rack we've been driving w/ since I crashed in October! then the worn down end link bushings were also part of the problem, which we swithched out to a set of Perrin's :D....but its not completely gone! So like someone stated earlier, its prob the axel... so now we have to dish out more cash to get that replaced.... Its never ending.....
bannerd
05-07-2010, 09:43 AM
Yeah it could be anything, if it was the limited slip it would cry. Makes awful loud noise... The good thing about cars is you know there is a problem, you don't know what it is. Eventually it will break and then you'll know. I guess that is what makes a good mechanic, someone that can pin point the problem and get it fixed for you. I would start with the drive shaft check the universals. If those don't have any play I would check the CV boots and joint on the axles. If those don't have any play it could be the bushings in the lateral links. Those make more of a thunking sound. If those are tight then it could be the nut on the axles. Replacing those seems to fix a lot of issues caused by clicking and knock noise. Part number for that is;
902170047
Good luck.
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