club.liberty.asn.au

I have a 07 liberty gt spec B 2.5L 6MT. I bought it 3 months ago and it has now done 110k. A couple of weeks ago i noticed a clunking/binding sound in the front end when turning slowly into carparks etc. I can also feel it in the steering and the accelerator pedal. I can only feel it when moving forwards, not backwards.
My suspicions are that the front centre diff is on its way out. What is everyones thoughts?

If it is the front centre diff, is this a common fault with the 6MT and what could have caused it?

Same/similar noise and feel in my car (same car as yours) and it's actually the front shocks. WD40 Wet PTFE provides relief for about a week, but ultimately they need to be reconditioned. I would try that first and if the noise goes away, then at least you've diagnosed the problem without spending a fortune. Just spray some into each shock and go for a spin.

jon_rs wrote:If it is the front centre diff, is this a common fault with the 6MT and what could have caused it?

The centre differential is mounted in the gearbox.
Yes, it is a common known fault with the 6MT equipped cars.
It will cause a binding, axle-hoping sensation when making turns in car parks and reverse parking manoeuvres.
Read this post viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31089

CV Joints go "Clackity-clackity-clackity-clack-clack"
Centre Differentials go BANG----BANG----BANG----BANG.
CV joints are not known for making noise in reverse, usually starting only in the forward direction (or so I am told)
Centre Differentials will do it in both directions.

Also check out the suggestion by cycleofabuse

Thanks, where on the shock did you spray it

jon_rs wrote:Thanks, where on the shock did you spray it

Where the shiny inner tube meets the yellow outer tube.
Look under the rubber boot.

Where the shiny inner tube meets the yellow outer tube.
Look under the rubber boot.

So i need to take the wheels off to access i am assuming?

I also noticed the clunking this evening when i was going slowly and straight. As in coming to a stop at the lights and also when taking off at the lights.

jon_rs wrote:

Where the shiny inner tube meets the yellow outer tube.
Look under the rubber boot.

So i need to take the wheels off to access i am assuming?

I also noticed the clunking this evening when i was going slowly and straight. As in coming to a stop at the lights and also when taking off at the lights.

Multiple BANG---BANG---BANG---BANG when turning probably wind-up from center differential.
Single BANG then probably Bilstien knock.
Google "lubricating inverted struts Subaru"
Example http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin ... ics-29677/

jon_rs wrote:

Where the shiny inner tube meets the yellow outer tube.
Look under the rubber boot.

So i need to take the wheels off to access i am assuming?

I also noticed the clunking this evening when i was going slowly and straight. As in coming to a stop at the lights and also when taking off at the lights.

Billy is spot on.
You don't need to take the wheels off, just jack the front of the car up. Give it a few quick squirts.

Note that there is a rear diff (back axle), a centre diff (rear of gearbox) and a front diff (front of gearbox where the drive shafts go in). There aint no 'front centre diff'. The usual failure mode of the centre diff is clonky, choppy movement when cornering tightly, and gearbox is warm. If it happens in a straight line it shouldnt be the diff.
jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon, diff ok so far.

jp928 wrote:Note that there is a rear diff (back axle), a centre diff (rear of gearbox) and a front diff (front of gearbox where the drive shafts go in). There aint no 'front centre diff'

Correct, we know that!
If we remember correctly, "front centre diff" are your words.
Cheers!

jp928 wrote:The usual failure mode of the centre diff is clonky, choppy movement when cornering tightly, and gearbox is warm. If it happens in a straight line it shouldnt be the diff.

Sorry, not entirely correct.
As I am a bit of an SME on Subaru Centre Differential Viscous Couplings a severely bound-up viscous coupling will cause straight line "Wind-up" between the front and rear axles and will cause; does cause a "bang" "shudder" every 40-50 metres or so, as the tyres hop to take-up the difference between the rolling diameters of the front and rear axles.
This will occur on severely damaged centre differential viscous couplings.
The failure starts with choppy movement on a low speed turn, however will progress to axle hoping in a straight depending upon the rate of deterioration.

I stand corrected on straight line clunks then, but INITIAl symptoms are usually on turning ?

'front centre diff' is in the title of the item, they are NOT 'my' words, they are from the OP.

jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon

jp928 wrote: 'front centre diff' is in the title of the item, they are NOT 'my' words, they are from the OP.

jp 08 gtb 6mt wagon

Sorry, did not notice the change in poster.
My apologies!

Part of the diagnosis/solution would be to check your tyre pressures and rotate your tyres eg back to front if asymmetric, or diagonally if symmetric.
Keeping the wear even is ideal.
Hopeful you've never driven around on a flat tyre or have mismatched brands front to rear.
Maybe try driving figure 8's to see what symptoms that provokes.
I have a driveway at a tight 90' from the road so I try to reverse in as much as going in forward...

Usually the drivers side cv inner cv boot is the first to go so it's worth checking for tears... Or for cv grease on the dump...

OP i have the same symptom but it is not consistent with the diff binding symptoms either (no not denial ) as it will do it cold and although more noticeable when turning slowly it can be noticed in straight line but no binding sensation, just clunk. It has done it for years now and not really worsened. I am definitely going to try the WD40 just to see if it is front struts.

cycleofabuse wrote:Same/similar noise and feel in my car (same car as yours) and it's actually the front shocks. WD40 Wet PTFE provides relief for about a week, but ultimately they need to be reconditioned. I would try that first and if the noise goes away, then at least you've diagnosed the problem without spending a fortune. Just spray some into each shock and go for a spin.

OMG, thank you for the tip!

It's CONFIRMED - NOISE IS GONE! At least till it wears off, but the source of my noise is now indisputable. I got the PTFE Lubricant, jacked up each front wheel and sprayed some in there. After a lengthy drive and even driving continual circles in a carpark, there's no noise at all.

This needs to be saved somewhere for all those with the same issue. No one has suggested this in *ALL* the threads about Clunking noises while turning on this forum.
There aren't enough happy emoticons to express my gratitude

I've spent years trying to pinpoint my clunking noise. Even spent a small fortune getting my Centre Diff replaced (which did improve things, but I still had this other noise). Several mechanics incl dealer couldn’t find the source - they suspected Shocks but weren't sure.

And I'd recommend to anyone to get the actual Lubricant that Dave suggested, not just using normal WD40. Maybe normal WD40 will work too, but for the sake of $17, it's worth a try.
http://www.bunnings.com.au/wd-40-specialist-300g-high-performance-wet-ptfe-lubricant_p6100411