MichaelB

Needs some help folks. Car is a Blobeye STI DCCD box, 45k on clock.

Quick background of last few days;
Car was fine but needed brakes. Replaced discs and pads and tyres. Done at my work (main Vauxhall dealer)

Car put back together Friday night, didn't drive it from work until Saturday afternoon, drive home fine but steadily with having new brakes.

Sunday drive to NBO with everyone fine, got into the field and there was a grinding / creaking from underneath on full lock both ways only at very low speed, feels like the diff is locking.

Drive home fine, usually have it fully back, but left it in auto as I do when kids are in car.

This morning going to work, all was fine. Got to work 13 miles later, turned into work slowly and grinding is back and felt like it was jumping a bit. Like diff is trying to lock again. Put it all the way back and again it's perfect.

One of the mechanics took it out and says he thinks front diff is broken and needs replaced, a couple of other technicians said the same.

I can't help feeling they are wrong as they have no experience of imprezas let alone dccd boxes.

Before I spend a fortune, help please. Anything else it could be?

Fat Boy

You shouldn't be driving it on full lock - that's only designed for getting you out of a muddy field snow bank etc and it will cause the trans to bind. What you are describing is normal at slow speed with a locked diff. At higher speed you won't notice it as the tyres will get dragged across the road instead, but it would under steer horribly.
Leave it fully open when dry and maybe notch it up one light if conditions are greasy and you won't have a problem.

MichaelB

Full lock I mean the steering wheel. It's in auto when this happens. I've not noticed this in the last 4 months I've had the car.

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

Tight turns on auto can sometimes cause noise in the diff, try taking it off auto, when was the last time the oil was changed and what oil did you use?

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

Also did you replace tyres in pairs or just one tyre and is it the correct size?

MichaelB

I replace all 4 tyres with ultrac sessantas, brand new. 225/45 17. Standard 17" wide track alloys.

If I put in fully open its perfect. I haven't changed the oil, only had it since Feb. not sure when diff oil was done.

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

Diff oil is part of the gearbox oil, ive always used motul 300 in my dccd boxes and no clunking unless i i lock the diff in manual but thats normal for the diff to "wind up" i get no noise in auto, probably best to get the oil changed.

MichaelB

Ill get it changed and see how it is. It may have always been like that but I'm looking for noises after changing the brakes.

Should have called them the Subaru Paranoia!!

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

Know what you mean, every little noise i hear form these cars puts the fear into me lol good luck with it but defo give the box some fresh oil, may even be low on oil.

MichaelB

Thanks for the help