Loud tugging sounds when slow turning to left and right

Asked by Grace2020 Jan 06, 2020 at 08:39 PM about the 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5 X

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I bought a used 2009 Subaru Forester manual transmission from an individual
recently. I've zero knowledge on mechanical and I felt dumb for not asking for
any expert opinion before buying. The vehicle makes a loud, ugly tugging
sounds when I turn to the left and right (either forward or backwards).
Sometimes when driving in third gear, it'd slipped to neutral. A friend said it's
the transmission problem and suggested me to get rid of the vehicle. Another
friend said it might be the axle.
Thanks,
Grace

2 Answers
48,130

TheSubaruGuruBoston answered 4 years ago

Let's take this in order of cost of repair: 1 Check the front axles for a broken outer joint (CVJ) or a seized inner one (DOJ). Regardless, a rebuilt axle and labor is under $250. 2. Is the "tugging" coming more from the CENTER of the car rather than the front axle(s)? If so, does it go away when going straight? If yes to both, you have a frozen center diff, referred to as a "viscous link". Only recourse here is to replace it. Figure about $600. 3. If the "tugging" is NOT an axle and continues when going straight look for a bad REAR diff, which is rather cheap...maybe $300 installed for a used one. 4. If the rear diff spins correctly (it's easy to disconnect the drive-shaft to check), and all the above is true, it sounds like you've a fully-blown transmission. Now you're looking at $1.2-1.5k for replacement with a good used one, with new clutch thrown in as there's no extra labor. Good luck. Ern TSG/B

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