Noisy centre diff bearing MY05 Impreza WRX
Discussion
Over the last couple of weeks my WRX has developed an annoying whining noise which is apparent at higher road speeds (>50mph). I've just taken it down to my local Subaru dealer who has diagnosed it as a worn centre diff bearing which needs replacing. Their parts/servicing guy wasn't in on a Sat AM so they weren't able to give a quote. Has anybody had a similar bearing replacement who can give me an indication of how much it might cost? I'd be interested in dealer and specialist prices.
Cheers and have a nice sunny weekend!
Cheers and have a nice sunny weekend!
You're in Cambridgeshire so not too far away from Zen Performance in Wellingborough, ask them for a quote for labour at least.
See if you can get hold of a 2nd hand diff/5spd gearbox unit from either Grade A Subaru (speak to Andy) or Jap Performance, in fact see if Zen have one kicking about. Grade and and Jap Performance will both crate a gearbox or courier a diff assmbly to you. Might turn out cheaper than having the bearing replaced because either way it will invlove dropping the gearbox.
Should be the cheapest way forward and acording to your profile you're a Motorsport Engineer so it would be a doddle for you to fix yourself if you're that way inclined.
HTH
See if you can get hold of a 2nd hand diff/5spd gearbox unit from either Grade A Subaru (speak to Andy) or Jap Performance, in fact see if Zen have one kicking about. Grade and and Jap Performance will both crate a gearbox or courier a diff assmbly to you. Might turn out cheaper than having the bearing replaced because either way it will invlove dropping the gearbox.
Should be the cheapest way forward and acording to your profile you're a Motorsport Engineer so it would be a doddle for you to fix yourself if you're that way inclined.
HTH
Edited by ScoobieWRX on Saturday 4th July 12:15
Thanks for your reply. You're the second person who's recommended Zen so I'll definitely be giving them a ring Monday as well as calling Grade A Subaru for the bits. I guess if I get my original diff/box out and swap it then I can get the bearing kit, recon it and sell it on to recoup some of the costs.
I am a motorsport engineer but of the electronic persuasion. I can sort a telemetry problem on a Le Mans prototype but diff swaps are out of my comfort zone especially since I only have a carpark to work in!
Cheers!
I am a motorsport engineer but of the electronic persuasion. I can sort a telemetry problem on a Le Mans prototype but diff swaps are out of my comfort zone especially since I only have a carpark to work in!
Cheers!
Here's the 3rd recomendation for Paul at Zen.
And a small warning. Fix it sooner rather than later!
A friend had a whine from the centre diff - It was really his drop gears giving up. We were being "young and foolish" on the local B roads at the time, and the result was he needed a complete new gearbox due to swarf getting in all sorts of interesting places...
And a small warning. Fix it sooner rather than later!
A friend had a whine from the centre diff - It was really his drop gears giving up. We were being "young and foolish" on the local B roads at the time, and the result was he needed a complete new gearbox due to swarf getting in all sorts of interesting places...
I've been on the phone this morning and got two quotes. The first from a dealer came in at £1800. They said it required 12 hours labour and the whole 'box assembly to be dropped and re-shimmed. The second from a specialist came in at £270, £90 of parts and 3 hours labour. Apparently they can do it with the 'box in-situ.
I was expecting a difference but not this enormous. Either the dealer is trying to take me to the cleaners or the independent is underestimating the scale of the job. I have no idea who to trust. Any suggestions?
I was expecting a difference but not this enormous. Either the dealer is trying to take me to the cleaners or the independent is underestimating the scale of the job. I have no idea who to trust. Any suggestions?
IMHO your car should go to the Subaru specialist and get them to diagnose the problem. Unless you are 100% certain that a bearing is the problem and you are happy that the specialist has quoted you correctly for the work you think needs to be done you should take the car to that specialist for professional fault diagnosis.
It is worth the trip to Wellingborough to get Zen to give you their professional opinion, that way you know exactly what the problem is and you don't get to a stage where the work has been done and you still have the same fault.
Don't neccessarily trust that the Subaru dealer has given you a correct diagnosis. This may be a cynical view but times are very hard for dealers everywhere and it's possible you might have been quoted for something that really isn't there. It's not unheard of. Dealers assume you know nothing and that you trust their word completely therefore it's very easy to get ripped off bigtime!!
Go to the specialist.
HTH
It is worth the trip to Wellingborough to get Zen to give you their professional opinion, that way you know exactly what the problem is and you don't get to a stage where the work has been done and you still have the same fault.
Don't neccessarily trust that the Subaru dealer has given you a correct diagnosis. This may be a cynical view but times are very hard for dealers everywhere and it's possible you might have been quoted for something that really isn't there. It's not unheard of. Dealers assume you know nothing and that you trust their word completely therefore it's very easy to get ripped off bigtime!!
Go to the specialist.
HTH
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