My STI 3 is making some horrible clunking noises which sound like they're coming from the front right hand side of the car. The car clunks and clinks round tight corners, and the steering pulls whilst this is happening. In a straight line everything is fine, and there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the gearbox as changes are all still fine.

Does this sound like a broken front diff, or a cv joint?

Is it easy to change the diff with the box out?

 

I've just changed my front/centre diff (My99 UK Turbo). Car was "skipping" a bit on full lock in either direction. On inspection it wasn't totally knackered so I can't say what it would do when it fully fails. From your description I would suspect a driveshaft though.

Diff + new clutch + rebuild cost me £1000 which I think was fairly steep.

Pat

 

I've ordered a replacement driveshaft so hope it's that. Would a knackered shaft be felt through the steering?

 

Haven't had it in a scooby but it certainly can in a Renault usually only when you have a lot of lock on though

 

Right...

I've had the car back today from the garage, after having the driveshafts changed. The problem is still there, so cv joints/driveshafts can be ruled out.

The garage believe the problem to be that the front diff. is broken, so that's what's going to have to be changed.

I'm trying to decide now whether to buy a replacement box, and change it as a complete unit, or if I should buy just a replacement diff and have that fitted.

Labour for changing the box is only 2 hours approx., but the outlay for the box is greater. Whereas I'm worried that if I just buy the diff, if it's a faff to fit the labour bill will exceed what an entire box would have cost.

How hard is it to change just the diff, as if it's not overly time consuming I may be better off doing that as the STI box is in otherwise good condition?

 

Remembering that mine is only a UK spec turbo.

2nd hand diff was £250
New one was quoted as being around the £500 mark but I can't confirm this as I didn't check with Subaru myself.
Labour for replacing diff was £150.

These prices are in Norn Ireland so may be top heavy. I personally went this route rather than another box as I knew what abuse mine has been subjected to. However you may be able to get a reconditioned box with a guarantee for less. All in it cost me £1000. Guy taking box out wasn't a subaru specialist and I think I paid over the odds because of that.

Pat

 

hi lads sorry for jumping in but i have just logged on to post basicly the same question mine is a 99 uk i was thinking about changing it myself but ive been quoted £500 for a second hand one but was wondering how hard it is to change

 

It's not rocket science but you do need some kind of ramp or lift. The major problems with the gearbox removal on mine was seized nuts on the exhaust etc which have never been undone. As to actually changing the diff I think the box has to come apart but I didn't actually see what was done to mine. At a guess I would say probably two days work.