Are axle's really that bad?!?

jweleber
Sun, 02 Jan 2011 05:58:44 +0000
Maintenance/Repairs

I have a 1993 Subaru Loyale wagon and love, love, love the car. I’ve done a lot of work to it, including dropping a new engine into it along with new suspension, clutch, front and rear wheel bearings, and new front axles (all done within the last 20k).

Of that, the latest work I’ve done has been the front axles. Most recently, I had the usual clicking noise when turning so took it in and had the whole passenger side axle replaced. I took the car home and went on a road trip a few days later. During that trip the car would shudder at high speeds but would go away if I pulled off the highway and make a slow sharp turn in a parking lot. Took the car back in, diagnosis… bad axle. Got it replaced.

Axle #2 didn’t fair much better. When driving around, the same clicking noise happened when turning either right or left. It would go away after the car had warmed up (roughly 1 or 2 miles), but I didn’t think it should be making noise after less than 100 miles. So, took it back to the shop and they replaced the axle but also said that the front wheel bearing would need to be replaced as well to get all the noise to go away. So, I had them put axle #3 on the Subi and I replaced the front wheel bearings and the front rotors and pads while I was at it.

Axle #3 lasted for about a week before the noise came back. The shop and I were getting frustrated by this point but they put axle #4 into the car with the thought that the noise would still return but they had no idea why.

Axle #4 isn’t fairing much better… I think. The clicking noise has returned but it only happens when you have the engine engaged. If you’re turning with the clutch in or with the trans in neutral than there is no noise at all.

I don’t want to go for axle #5 without some more information and was hoping to get some thoughts from this fine community of automotive savvy folks. I’ve had some folks say that it’s still the axle and others say to look at the transmission. Any thoughts?

15 posts - 6 participants