Rear Diff/Transfer case damage?

[-RYknow]

Hey guys, I'm new here, and have been a subie owner for all of one week. I was previously an avid VW owner. So far I'm loving the subie though.

I am however having an issue that I know I brought on myself. Long story short, I have some nice rims/tires that I put on my new subie (96 Brighton, 1.8L). When I went to put them on I noticed that one out of the four tires was worn more then the rest. I figured I could get away with it for a month or two since I don't put on all that many miles.

Yesterday the g/f and I took a trip to Lebanon, and we decided to take the interstate on the way home. About half way back I noticed that there was conciderable more noise coming from the car, and it was vibrating a bit too. Once we hit the off ramp I noticed that there is a pretty steady "hum". I would say it's more aimed at the back end, but I can't be sure.

Basically what I'm asking is with uneven tread wear, which is going to be more likely to go, the rear Diff or transfer case? Or could it be something all together. Also, whats the easiest way to figure out which it is? I haven't even made my first payment on the car yet, so I can't just start throwing money at it.

I'm pretty surprised it happened so quickly. We were only on the interstate for about 20-25 minutes. :shrug:

Thanks guys/gals.
-RYknow

[Robk0000]

Just looking at the tires can you see a difference in Camber? Also is it weatring on the inside or outside of the tire.

[-RYknow]

The wheels and tires haven't been on the car long enough to see where the wear is happening. And no there is no difference in camber (visually). When I put the tires on, I noticed that the tread depth of one of the tires was not nearly the same as the other three. I had previously had these wheels/tires on my VR6.

The tire was worn pretty evenly when I put it on. I guess that it was a little more worn on the inside. But as I said, that was how they were when I put them on the subie. They have currently been on the subie for a week as of today.

-RYknow

[Robk0000]

If the tire wear is on the inside its most likely from negative camber. if you cant see the camber its most likely from as you stated the other car. Try swapping the wheels around, move it from back to front and see if you notice a difference over a week. If the other tire develops the same tread wear get the car realigned. You may have a subtle camber/Tow issue which is wearing the tires unevenly

[My Name]

i would just try some different wheels to see if it gos away

[02bugeyeoutback]

i just had the same problem with my car a the g/f's car and the humming from the rear tires was a wheel bearing. Have it checked out.

[02bugeyeoutback]

i would say that your tire wear is a diff. problem than the hum. you hear coming from the rear end of the car. you might also want too try an alignment. does the hum sound like it is coming from one side of the car? listen closley:up:

[Robk0000]

If its humming, somthing is off balance causing the wheel to slap at a certain point of rotation. Bad bearing would cause that, check the bearings.

[-RYknow]

The front drivers side wheel bearing is a little loose and will need to be replaced, however the rear drivers side tire is the one that is worn out more then the rest.

This "hum/vibration" didn't start till our trip on the interstate. I've been driving the car for a week (at speeds up to 60mph) with these wheels/tires on it. The "hum" started yesterday after our trip on the interstate. I got the car up to 90-95mph and had it there for probably10-15 minutes. I had to slow down because of some other cars, and thats when I noticed that the car was making a lot more noise. That noise hasn't stopped.

My concern isn't tire wear. The tires haven't been on the car long enough to have any wear. They were worn prior to me even putting them on the car. My concern is the hum that wasn't there for the for 150+miles of me owning the car, and now it's there after +/-20 miles on the interstate.

Also, while listening, it does seem like the sound is more towards the rear of the car. I don't notice it being one side or the other though.

-RYknow

[GC4-RS]

Welcome! :lol:

<--- thinks he knows the OP and teh car he's driving...:confused:

[-RYknow]

I think you know who it is as well there Uncle Ruffin! :lol: And yes, you know the car! haha. So what do you guys think? Rear diff, or Transfer case? Or is it just the wheel bearing?

Thanks guys,
-RYknow

Edit: Whats OP?

[squeethebee]

OP = Original poster:lol:

If it is a wheel bearing, you may be able to jack up the rear of the car, and move the rim around. If it has a lot of slop, its a good chance its a bearing. If it's the rear diff or CENTER DIFF, you will probably have to replace it :(

Also, its usually a toe issue that causes premature inner tire wear, but gets blamed more on camber:spin:

ed

[Bu11dogg2]

The dif and tranfer case would not cause noise or vibration from just one wheel.

Sounds like an alignment issue.

Check the hub, wheel bearing and axle.

[GC4-RS]

I think you know who it is as well there Uncle Ruffin! :lol: And yes, you know the car! haha. So what do you guys think? Rear diff, or Transfer case? Or is it just the wheel bearing?

Thanks guys,
-RYknow

Edit: Whats OP?

Thought that was you! :lol:

[02bugeyeoutback]

wheel bearing!!!!! and jacking the car up and wiggling the tire might not tell you any thing, like i said i had two no three bad bearings two on my car and one on the g/f's and i could not move the tire, actually my car made a different sound than the g/f's car mine was a deeper hum than hers, but a hum none the less. if you have a press they are pretty easy to do.

[02bugeyeoutback]

let us all know when you find out:up:

[-RYknow]

I'll have to look into the bearings then. Like I said before, I know the front drivers side wheel bearing needs to be replaced. I can wiggle the wheel around when it's jacked up. I'll check all the wheel bearings out and see what I can find.

I don't have a press, but I'm sure I can find someone to help me out. Roughly how much would it run to do all four wheel bearings in one shot?

Also, would you guys be able to hook me up with some good sites for performance parts, and regular OEM parts. I have a million sites for V-dubs, but only a few for the subie. heh.

Alright guys, I'll be in touch after I check out all the wheel bearings.

-RYknow

[squeethebee]

We have shops down this way that, if you bring your hub to them, will press out old bearing, and press the new one in for pretty cheap. I believe the last time I bought a wheel bearing (front, with seals) it was around $50-60 bucks.

Subaruwrxparts.com, JNAperformance.com, and Subimods.com are vendors on here, and have ALOT of sweet parts. I've purchased from one, dealt with people from another IRL, and got nothing but helpful responses from the third, all good people if you ask me.

ed

[GC4-RS]

Jason, what rims are you running on the brighton? any pics?

[GC4-RS]

always liked this pic
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd41/schnellgti12/DSC_00091.jpg

[GC4-RS]

I'll have to look into the bearings then. Like I said before, I know the front drivers side wheel bearing needs to be replaced. I can wiggle the wheel around when it's jacked up. I'll check all the wheel bearings out and see what I can find.

I don't have a press, but I'm sure I can find someone to help me out. Roughly how much would it run to do all four wheel bearings in one shot?

Also, would you guys be able to hook me up with some good sites for performance parts, and regular OEM parts. I have a million sites for V-dubs, but only a few for the subie. heh.

Alright guys, I'll be in touch after I check out all the wheel bearings.

-RYknow

sealed units on the front and rear, correct? i had mine done at Sunapee St. Autoworks, been using them for a while now, cheap labor and he warrantees his work/parts

[-RYknow]

Sweet! Thanks Eric! I love that pic too by the way.

I just ran out and took a couple of my car real quick with the wheels. The tires are Yokohama 205/45/R17's.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/omega666/My%20New%20Subie/DSC01191fixed.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/omega666/My%20New%20Subie/DSC01194fixed.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/omega666/My%20New%20Subie/DSC01193fixed.jpg
Sorry in advance for the crappy quality. I'll get better pics in the near future.

-RYknow

[-RYknow]

Also, on my ride to work I "played" around a bit more to see how the car reacted to different things. I noticed that it seems to be coming from the pass side rear. The noise/vibration doesn't really start till I get to about 35mph. The faster I go, the worse it seems to get. I did notice that once I got up to speed (50-55mph), if I put in the clutch, the sound worsens. While at that speed, if I pull the e-brake, the sound/vibration almost stops completely. :spin: It also seems to go away when the car is under a load (ie, I down-shifted for a hill and tried to accelerate hard, and the sound seemed to stop.).

Suggestions? I need to get to my buddies house so I can get the car jacked up and check out the wheel bearing and whatnot. Any input would be great!

Thanks,
-RYknow

[squeethebee]

I'm still going with wheel bearing, though it may be something in the drum itself. That's what I'd check if it turns out to not be the bearing.

ed

[GC4-RS]

I'm still going with wheel bearing, though it may be something in the drum itself. That's what I'd check if it turns out to not be the bearing.

ed

what he said ^

and those wheels look good mayne! :up:

[02bugeyeoutback]

i say wheel bearing as well:up:

[-RYknow]

what he said ^

and those wheels look good mayne! :up:

Thanks Buuuudddy!! =]

Alright guys. I'll check the wheel bearing and report back!

-RYknow

[AnthonyB]

always liked this pic
http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd41/schnellgti12/DSC_00091.jpg

It still bugs me that I had those rusty steelies on it for that photo shoot :banghead: :lol:

[Robk0000]

Are those the steelies i sold you? we met at the manch mall

[AnthonyB]

Are those the steelies i sold you? we met at the manch mall

Nope those wheels are busy doing this:

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd41/schnellgti12/redsuby/IMG_3575.jpg

Ok im done thread jacking :lol:

Back to you Jason!

[-RYknow]

Homie's jackin my thread! haha! :lol: It's all good man! So your on here too huh?! Glad to see I know a few people in the subie world. It's going to pay off I'm sure! I didn't get a chance to get the car in the air today. With any kind of luck as soon as I get home from work tomorrow we'll give it a look.

-RYknow