I have a problem with the rear diff on my 53 plate STi, when I lift off the accelerator and sometimes when I change gear I get a slight clunk from the diff. Anyone know whats causing this and what the remedy would be, a garage I called into yesterday said that it was the pinion in the diff and that this could be adjusted to remedy the problem he said it would be a six hour job and would require no parts, is he right or do I need to find another garage. Thanks in advance this is driving me mad as its now been into 3 other garages and none of them can diagnose it let alone give me an idea of how to fix it. HELP.

 

does it do it when u go from forward to reverse could be just the pad moving in the caliper

 

I have the exact same problem on my 03 STi mate! I took my car into a local Subaru specialist. They diagnosed the problem as being internal to the diff as well but they had a second hand one on the shelf (for £500+vat) so, on their suggestion, I told them to go ahead and replace it. The result was that the knocking was still there (although according to the garage it was quieter but not in my opinion) so the original diff has been put back on. Nearly £400 later (labour costs) and I still don't know what the fault is.

I have, on the other hand, been given some excellent advise from Roger Clark Motorsport, Powerstation, Tiley, Triton and AWD Motorsport in regards to what the fault may be (thanks guys) so I will be booking in with one of them in the near future. Might be worth giving them a call yourself.

 

Yes, if I go forward slowly and then put it into reverse as I lift off the clutch the same clunk happens, are you saying that this could be rear pads as I had them replaced a few months ago and not long after that the noise started, thanks for the replies I will look into the rear brakes and let you know what happens.

 

Sure it's not a bearing or the top mounts? Sounds stupid I know but I had a similar thing, changed the bearing and voila, clunk gone.

 

buy a subframe lockdown kit. That will lock the diff to the subframe and should sort it. Its only about £35.... which is an hours labour at most places these days anyway.

 

What did they say it could be?

 

i had a bearing fail after 35k so would check this out

 

Sounds like they saw you coming with that one, what waste of time that was

 

Had same with my sti, re torqued both rear driveshaft nuts fixed it .

 

Took car into subaru today for its service, and they reckon that it is the rear passenger side strut that is making the noise, I ve now been full circle, from strut first to driveshaft to prop to diff and now back to strut !!!!!!!!!
Starting to get really pissed off now as different garages are all telling me different things, really dont know what to do now, subaru did say that it is nothing to worry about at the moment but I want it sorted, but also I dont want to be changing parts for no reason and still find that the noise is still there. Does anyone know any good garages in the south wales area that may be able to help me out.

 

This can quieten a noisey wheel bearing for a time!

 

As there is some play in the splines it can stop a clonk.

Subfarme lock bolts of course lock subframe to body, not body to diff.

Worth checking the end mountings on the diff front mounting 'T-bar' (either side just inboard of the sill in front of the rear wheels).

Simon