2001 BH5 Etune - Front diff noise...?

[dtech72]

Hi all, first time posting on here - im massively stuck on an issue i’ve had with the legacy for quite a while now

 

basically it sounds like a front wheel bearing knackered - but ive changed both and also both cv axles (driveshafts)

 

not only is there a crazy rumbling noise, something is also causing the car to wander when at expressway speeds (like a steering joint is worn...)

 

HELP!!! Surely there is someone on here that has experienced a similar issue

 

Really appreicate any response or suggestions - thanks!!

[iludez]

Any video or soundclip of the noise?

Sent from my MX4 Pro using Tapatalk

[dtech72]

10 minutes ago, iludez said:

Any video or soundclip of the noise?

Sent from my MX4 Pro using Tapatalk
 

 

Hey, yeah im working on that - the mrs usually drives it, so when im next in it ill do a quick vid and post it asap

[Joker]

anything that turns? like Brake disc or cv's

[boostin]

Best you get it looked at asap. Any decent workshop should have that nailed down pretty quickly. 

[dtech72]

I’ve literally changed everything that turns - new discs, tyres, wheel bearings and cv axles

 

I let one place have it for a morning and they thought it was power steering related - that could explain the wandering but certainly not the noise...

[duncanm]

could be two unrelated  things.

 

pop it up on stands and idle it in gear - poke around with a mechanics stethoscope (broom handle or similar) to work out where the noise is coming from.  Maybe its gearbox or centre diff bearings.

 

Wandering could be rear-end.  Rear trailing arm front bushes shot, for example.

Edited October 17, 2017 by duncanm

[Joker]

brakes spin freely? or one side stronger than the other?

 

slightly on topic I had feedback through the steering when from a bulge in a rear tire once, so yeah doesn't necessarily have to be on the front end

[duncanm]

one other thought about steering which is easy to check - inspect your steering rack bushes.  A few years of oil splatter can make them go to mush and fall apart, then the rack slides about.

 

You'll typically feel this on turn-in, though. Feels like steering slips as it loads up.

[dtech72]

thanks Joker, duncanm for both your comments. I'm going to have a little play around with it again over next weekend

 

I'll get back to you with my findings (if anything )

[dtech72]

So, i've figured out - the rumble noise is coming from the front right tyre/rim (but its a fairly new tyre which is odd)

 

As for the wandering steering - i'm going to swap out the steering rack bushes as they're quite cheap and see if it makes much difference

 

watch this space....