Question: Help vibration and popping 99 subaru outback 4cyl auto?

(Posted by: t on 2010-07-27 19:16:57)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - i need help this is my first subaru ive owned it is a 1999 outback ltd wagon and i put a new engine in it and it runs great . i noticed a popping sound when i was driving say 25 - 40 miles an hour i can tap the accerator and hear and feel the pop reminded me of a u joint in an older vehicle . along with this pop there is a slight vibration in reverse i noticed a little and when you acellarate anfd then let off gas it is pretty pronounced under hard accelaration you dont feel it until you let off gas . i thought it was maybe the carrier bearing / u joint assembly but my friend at shop seems to think its more serious , like transfer case going bad any help would be greatly appreciated i bought this car for my wife to drive and now it looks like im going to be spending lots more money on it before she can drive it is auto and the car has 237000 miles but im pretty sure your right on about the trans beiong strong it feels like more a driveshaft / u joint kingd iof vibration i also noticed it has a vibration when you first start it up idiling you can feel it how do you check trans for codes no check engine light on or anything

Posted by: greaserat on 2010-07-28, 06:17:13

How many miles are on it? Have you had the trans checked for codes? Ltd's are usually automatics, 4EAT type, really good tranny's but need to keep the fluid clean. I would start with checking the driveline joints, and if you can't find a problem then change the trans fluid (no need to drop the pan or change the filter, its just a screen on those anyway), and there is a drain plug for that. Also be careful where you add the fluid back, the front diff and trans tube look the same. I'd change it, run it, change it again, (takes 'bout 5 quarts each time). This can clear up a lot of issues with a 4EAT, and probably the cheapest place to start.