Vibration

[NewsGroupie]

I have a 1997 Subaru station wagon with 125,000 miles. During turns, I
experience a vibration. The vibration appears to be coming from the front
wheels. Comments please. Thanks a bunch.

 

[Todd H.]

I have a 1997 Subaru station wagon with 125,000 miles. During turns, I
experience a vibration. The vibration appears to be coming from the front
wheels. Comments please. Thanks a bunch.

Looking at wheel bearings or CV joints would be where I'd start.

 

[NewsGroupie]

Looking at wheel bearings or CV joints would be where I'd start.

Thanks for the quick response.....let me press my luck....how much for a
repair by a reputable source?

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I have a 1997 Subaru station wagon with 125,000 miles. During turns, I
experience a vibration. The vibration appears to be coming from the front
wheels. Comments please. Thanks a bunch.

Does it feel like a 'jerkiness' at low speeds? As when maneuvering
into a parking spot or making other tight turns on dry pavement?

If so, make certain the tires are all the same size/manufactrurer/model
and wear level. If they are, you may have a center differential
malfunction. Hope not.......$$$

Carl

 

[NewsGroupie]

Does it feel like a 'jerkiness' at low speeds? As when maneuvering into a
parking spot or making other tight turns on dry pavement?

If so, make certain the tires are all the same size/manufactrurer/model
and wear level. If they are, you may have a center differential
malfunction. Hope not.......$$$

Carl

to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)

Ok, "jerkiness" as you call it, would be correct. I've changed the tires
many times. Same size...not always the same manufacturer. The tires have
plenty of tread and are properly inflated. This 'jerkiness' has been a
problem for about six months.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Ok, "jerkiness" as you call it, would be correct. I've changed the tires
many times. Same size...not always the same manufacturer. The tires have
plenty of tread and are properly inflated. This 'jerkiness' has been a
problem for about six months.

Is the car an automatic? If so, another bit of diagnosis can be done by
installing the 'spare' fuse into the spot marked FWD. There are probably
instructions for this in your manual associated with spare tires/flat
tires/emergency spare, etc. Not certain on a '97 but probably the fuse
box under the hood is where this option would be located. If the
jerkiness is cured after installig the fuse - it points to a problem
with the Duty Solenoid C or the wet clutch pack in the rear of the
auto-tranny. There MAY be a TSB for this problem calling for a steel
sleeve or something. Search the issue 'torque bind' at
www.ultimatesubaru.org for detailed info. If you have a manual
transmission, you have a Viscous Locking Center Diff and probably need a
mechanic to inspect it. either way...$$$

Of course you could have a frozen u-joint or a bent drive axle or.....

Carl