Whining noise’s and “drag” feeling while driving.

[Ben]

Car Info
Have a MY09 Subaru Forester XT – 5 speed manual.

Recently my car was pulling my front left driveshafts apart under hard acceleration, i had found the issue to be a bad engine mount. Both driveshafts replaced (with aftermarket/generic shafts) and now I had been getting a noise while driving, and a strange whining noise. Not sure if its related but thought it would be best to include this info.

Noise had really only started after the new front driveshafts were installed and the whole engine mount fiasco. the new driveshafts were a little difficult to install compared to the genuine units they replaced. They had to be tapped in with some force, I just assumed the circlip was a little larger the old one, but maybe this is a underlying issue?

Things to keep in mind;
* Both front driveshafts are brand new generic shafts. They felt heavier than the original subaru driveshafts
* Gearbox has been removed, release bearing has been replaced, gearbox has been open and inspected. I could not see any major damage, all bearings seemed quiet when moved by hand. No chunks or pieces of anything in the case.

Noise #1 – Slight whine while driving.
When driving at say 2,000rpm, 2nd gear the noise is probably at its loudest. It goes away if I clutch in or shift to netural at speed. Logic tells me its something wrong with the gearbox, but considering I have opened the case and found no obvious internal faults, I put it backtogether and the issue persists.
I also have a feeling of “drag” while driving, its most noticable when taking off – having to give it a little more throttle than what i am used too, almost as if the brakes are slightly dragging. Could this be due to cheaper front driveshafts I have installed? they were noticeably heavier then the originals.
To describe the sound …It would be similar to a supercharger type whine but not as pronounced.

Noise #2 – Chirp while stationary
This to me sounds like a different whine to the first one, if i press my foot slightly on the clutch pedal the noise goes away. While the gearbox was out of the car, I replaced the release bearing just to eliminate it from equation. Unfortunately there is no change in noise.
At the moment, I feel the design of this release bearing it is meant to have constant contact with the pressure plate – but perhaps there might be too much freeplay in my clutch pedal, causing it to not have even pressure against the pressure plate…? Leaving me with a slight chirp style noise.

Topic

[Richard Kirshy]

My first thought would be to closely compare the original shafts to the replacements.
My guess is that the new aftermarket ones are exactly the same.
Which is the case many times.
Another thing to check is the carrier bearing.
Just because its new doesn’t always mean its good.
I understand the thought of purchasing aftermarket (cost ) but it may be cheaper in the long run to use OEM

[Ben]

Hmmm – I have not considered the carrier bearing – (assuming you mean the part in between rear tail shaft.)
I have not replaced the carrier bearing, only the front drive shafts and the clutch release bearing.

The shafts looked physically the same from memory – I don’t have my old driveshafts anymore unfortunately.

This car haha – thanks for all your help so far nightflyr

[Richard Kirshy]

Suggest you check the items circled below.

Attachments:

• def4bf644ec06a6f107487613c129214

[Ben]

I started the car before and had a good listen.

There are two noises, one is the release bearing which I think may just need the freeplay taken out (correct me if this is wrong).

The other noise – I could hear it while I was in neutral, standing still, revving the car between 2,000-2,500rpm constantly.

The noise was still there with the clutch pedal pressed down as well.

This is starting to make me think it may not be anything drivetrain related, due to hearing the whine/sequel while not moving and in neutral/clutch down. …perhaps it could be a accessory making me look in the wrong spot?

Will be taking off the belt that runs the Alternator/Power steering and seeing how it goes. I also noticed the car started a tad slower then normal even after running recently last night, thinking maybe my alternator may be making the noise or some bearing somewhere is failing causing the drag issue.

See how we go…

[Richard Kirshy]

This is starting to make me think it may not be anything drivetrain related, due to hearing the whine/sequel while not moving and in neutral/clutch down. …perhaps it could be a accessory making me look in the wrong spot?
Wouldn’t be the first time

Will be taking off the belt that runs the Alternator/Power steering and seeing how it goes. I also noticed the car started a tad slower then normal even after running recently last night, thinking maybe my alternator may be making the noise or some bearing somewhere is failing causing the drag issue.
Might also check pulley alignment and alternator charging output.

[Ben]

Noise is so hard to diagnose…. sometimes it comes in with the clutch pedal in, sometimes it doesn’t.

I think I will just drive the car and when the problem happens I will know for sure…

Just a a complete loss of what to do next

[Ben]

Bumping up – Still having the whine, though have not been driving the car as i am scared something will break…

Started the car with the alternator belt off – no noticeable change in the noise. Played around with the clutch freeplay – didn’t make any difference.

After pulling the box, stripping it down, new throw out bearing the noise is still there.

I will get some video footage of the noise.

[Richard Kirshy]

Some other possibilities:
Timing belt whine
Faulty tensioner or follower

[Ben]

Have considered those too – but since starting it again – the noise sometimes goes away when i press the clutch pedal down and other times it stays…

[Richard Kirshy]

Tough to determine…
You may want to double check the clutch alignment and pressure plate

[Author]

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