beensoldaduffscooby

I have done search but did not find anything similar.
It looks like my user name may becomming even more appropriate on my second scooby.
The car is a MY2000 turbo with ppp and I know its history from 6 months old.
Tonight whilst on the way home, cruising at '60MPH' there was suddenly a very loud bang followed the the most awful whinning/grinding noise. The bang seemed to be as if something in the engine compartment had hit the bulkhead and there was a slight jolt on the steering wheel. I dipped the clutch, started to brake and waited the low oil pressure light and the engine to stop. Pulled over and turned the engine off. Got out (in the rain) but could not see any oil or other damage in the engine bay. I could not get a signal on the mobile so decided it was fcuked anyway so I may as well try starting it - it started and all was fine. No noise, ticked over normal and sounded fine. Got out again and had a look under the car to see if anything was hanging loose, nothing that shouldn't be so decided to try and move. As soon as I moved the rotational whinning/scraping/grinding noise returned and increased proportioly to wheel speed. As it was peeing down, had a **** day at work,couldn't get a phone signal and I was very close to home I decided to drive it very slowly home. Bar the noise, everything else seemed ok.

Upon getting home it would appear the noise is coming from the rear diff.
Jacking up two wheels (any two) the drivetrain appears to work as it should and at very slow speeds there is no noise. There is no visible sign of damage to the gearboxes and there is no oil plastered all over the underneath of the car.

Has anybody else had an experience like this?
If it is the rear diff, what was the bang I heard and felt at the front? Could it have been the rear diff momentarily locking up and snapping something in the front gearbox?

I guess my only way forward is to phone a main dealer and get them to recover it - it is not under warranty anymore.

How much are rear diff rebuilds of complete units?

Any comments or ideas would be appreciated.

scoobyboy

we have just had a legacy in with the rear diff ripped out and a new one for that is about £1000 + vat + fitting it also destroyed the rear bushes it sits in and they are £25 each + vat

john banks

You mentioned the oil pressure light, but I couldn't follow what you meant, but it doesn't sound much like your engine. Assuming gears selected normally, it probably isn't your gearbox either.

A diff sounds reasonable.

My advice since it is out of warranty is to take it nowhere near a main dealer, get a diagnosis from a specialist or trusted garage, and then sort out whatever you need. Rear diffs are £100-200 I think second hand, if that. You can pick up used gearboxes with a front and centre diff for under £500. Dealers may rape you on something like this.

beensoldaduffscooby

ok thanks.

I mentioned the oil pressure light as from the noise I heard my instant reaction was that some part or parts of the engine had decided to part company from where they should be. I thought maybe a piston failing or major crank failure.

The choice of main dealers I have is Listers Worcester or Hylton Worcester. After listers failed on many ocasions to remedy poor running, which turned out to be a failing MAF which cost me dearly, I try not to use them. (The MAF was finally identified from peoples advice on this board). Hyton is very new and unproven, I would like to use them but have not heard any reports (good or bad) about them. I would like to use local independant specialist but have not found a satisfactory one.

Any recomendations on garages in the Hereford / Worcester area? I guess Powerstation must rate quite high on the list.
Thanks,

Steve.

scoobyboy

just to say john we don't set prices that is a retail price from subaru themselves

911

Steve, as you are close to API engines who are based in Warwick/Leamington Spa I would contact David at www.apiengines.co.uk who will sort it for you at no bull **** prices/advice. They do diffs/boxes as well as engines, new/rebuilt/secondhand.

Changing a rear diff is not complicated, a bit time consuming, but with a ramp dead easy.

Good luck,
911

WRX_Rich

iTrader: (5)

Hi, Hylton - Wouldn't trust them to change the oil, girl friend worked there enough siad

Listers - top blokes but very expensive ( £600 to fit 3 gauages )

Powerstation - I have had issues with them but I think I was a bit unlucky

I wouldn't thick twice, get the car on a transporter and get it sent to API or roger clarks think scobby CLinic has a good name but it is a bit far
when you think the likes of scooby clinic are charging £20 a hour and listers is £70 / 80 the cost of the transporter is nothing

Rich

DaveW

I'd also recommend you go to API. David is a top bloke to deal with and will not rip you off.

Dave.

Peanuts

iTrader: (15)

get tha'selt down to honest APIDavid
in fact a call to him on 01926614333 (authorised advertisor?) will prolly start the ball rolling.

CataIunya

If you need a rear diff I have a fully working one here out of my UK car 150 pickles and its yours....I upgraded to P1 drivetrain so not needed now...let me know.

beensoldaduffscooby

I am interested in your diff. Where abouts are you please.

Steve

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the plugs above - all: 911, DaveW, WRX Rich, Peanuts, etc., much appreciated.

'duffscooby, Sorry if you tried to ring me today [ Weds] I've been out of the office all day at a motor society AGM.

If you called and left a number, l'll get to you ASAP Thursday. l'll be happy to take a look at your problem and advise a course of action, No obligation to buy from APi or have the work done by APi.

If you haven't called then I suspect that you might.

Good luck whatever.

David APi Engines / APi Impreza

beensoldaduffscooby

I did phone today and thought I spoke to you David. I was given the price range of refurbished rear diff units but told the exact price could only be determined with my transmission number - TY 754???? - which I didn't have with me.
The car is undrivable but I may well call over tomorrow to pick a unit up and do a diy swap. I was told you have all types in stock.

Many thanks

Steve.