Front End Clunk!

[mowillie]

so I have read several posts and articles on line about this issue, and a couple of them on here. There seems to be no real answer, solution, fix that I can find. The symptoms of mine are very similar to all the rest:
03 baja sport, manual 5speed, 62,000 miles
I take the kids to school in the morning and then to work. Travel time is about 20 minutes of town driving with two stops, and shutting the car down. Nothing occurs durning these days.
Last weekend to went into the city, about 30 minutes of highway speed driving. When we got to the store, and I slowly turn into a parking spot, there is a clunk, clunk, clunk, as if something is grabbing the tire and snapping lose, or a gear binding. It happens left or right hand turns, and it happens in reverse too. If i drive straight it will not do it, but once the steering wheel is turned about 270 degrees or more it will do it.
I changed the rear diff fluid, front diff/trans fluid, and replace spark plugs on two days ago, then drove it to the city. Still does it.
I called a dealership and they told me it sounds like suspension related....I told them to stop blow smoke, and I will get a second opioion.
Anyone have success with a fix?

[WillGT]

could be a cv joint, have you checked the boots for splits?
could also be a wheel bearing, those are usually a high pitched noise
or it could be the center diff, mine needed that replaced, luckily the shop at just taken a pretty good one off an 04 outback and was able to put it on mine. Mine clunked when I took sharp turns at slow speeds. All fixed now

[mowillie]

I am going to guess at this point that is probably the center diff.
The noise is not high pitched, and only occurs after really warmed up. I can drive it all week long and never duplicate the noise. But anytime I want it to happen, I can drive it an the freeway for 20-30 minutes, pull into a parking lot and there it is. My daily commute is just not long enough for the car to really get hot.
I have checked the CV boots, twice. all looks good.
thanks for the input.

[WillGT]

Take it to a shop to verify first. Mine repair job on that was only around $250 or 300 if I recall. Like I mentioned the shop that I went to had just done a transmission job on an 04 outback. The center diff which is attached to the trans was still good, but the owner wanted to do a full replacement. I believe the one I got only had 60k miles on it. $200 for the part as opposed to $500 new

[mladen99]

One clone of is expensive. this is a broken axle box. I dunno if translate right, it's flexible rubber part that connects the engine.

The other noise is heard from the hydraulic rack pads. There is a slight gap in the rack itself to be heard in the front left in. ... honestly do not handle anything to do. If you change the rack after 50-60000 is the same /

[mowillie]

Take it to a shop to verify first. Mine repair job on that was only around $250 or 300 if I recall. Like I mentioned the shop that I went to had just done a transmission job on an 04 outback. The center diff which is attached to the trans was still good, but the owner wanted to do a full replacement. I believe the one I got only had 60k miles on it. $200 for the part as opposed to $500 new

I will do more in the way of research first with several shops. I called the closest Subaru dealership, and the service guy kept saying, "bring it in, but it sounds like it is suspension related". I said it is not. It is transmission related.
I also called a very well known transmission shop in the city with great reveiws, and ask what they would charge to replace the center diff. I manager said, "the center WHAT!?". I said, "Never mind".

[WillGT]

for specific things like this your best bet is to find a dealership or independent subaru shop or maybe a shop that works just on Japanese cars. Thats where you might find the good deals.

[mowillie]

Here is an update...
In Oct. I took it to a local service/all mechanics shop that has a good rep. I did not tell them what I thought it was, but they diagnosed it as the viscous coupler in the center diff. It took them about 45 mins while I wait. Gave me back my keys and said let us know if you want us to order the parts and do the job. $1200. they actually quoted me 990, but thats another story.

Then I made an appointment with a Subaru dealer. Dont if anyone else heard, but Subaru Nationwide was offer a free multipoint inspection of your sub in the month of Oct. I took mine in for both the front end clunk and the free multipoint inspection. Three hours later, they said you need a new propeller shaft, you owe us $100 and we did not do the free inspection because we dont know anything about it. Fuck tards!!! Its on your freek'n website.....aaarrrggggg!
anyhow, I got to speak with the mechanic and question his diagnosis, saying I think it is the center diff. He said it could be, but that they have to fix what they find broken first, then move down the line, and fix the next thing. He paid the bill and politely walk out.....biting my tounge.
Last week I did take my car in to my local shop and had them do it. The part had to come from the dealer, and was $640. labor and other bs took up the rest. My car runs good with no issues, no clunk. And i am happy with the outcome.
I will no longer use any Subaru dealer in San Antonio, Tx.
Dont get a diagnosis if you have to pay for it. Free estimates only come from confident mechanics shops.
I have since gotten a letter from Subaru asking if my service there was satisfactory.....I just finished writing them a letter today. It will go out in the mail tomorrow.
I also asked to keep the viscous coupler, so I will try to get some pictures of it and post them up this weekend.
Still loving my car.....and my '69 Ford bronco, that got me through a week while 'Mango' was in for surgery.