Whirring noise is transmission

[Nanginator22]

Hi everyone,

has anyone ever reported CV joint or drive shaft issues? I’m taking my 2016 Levorg to Subaru coz there’s a constant wirring at speed and I think I’ve heard strange noises mid cornering. The car has only done 69k

if anyone has any advice before I go that would be neat

cheers

 

[leftfield lenny]

I've recently heard noises similar to what you've described on my Levorg on lock, it's nearly four years old, Mine has only done 35,150 miles and I don't drive it hard being the 1.6 model.
I read on another motoring forum of which I'm a member that this is a common thing (especially) regarding Mercedes 4 wheel drive vehicles because of different wear rates on the tyres across the same axle, the tyres 'hop' on lock caused by the differentials creating a distinctive noise and some vibration.
At odds with my previous experience with Subaru's that. Because I've had Subaru's since 2002 and none of them have ever displayed that characteristic, and I always change my tyres in pairs across the appropriate axle as required.
Mind you, this is the first Subaru that I've not modified in any way performance wise and therefore is extremely quiet in comparison to the others.
I'll have a definitive answer one way or another early next year, the service and M.O.T. are due.

 

[Nanginator22]

Thanks for the reply.

I've taken the car to Subaru and they're saying the sound is coming from the transmission. I've booked in to have the gearbox pulled out and inspected this thursday. I'll provide an update after.

I have to say, i'm a little worried, the car is still under manufacturer warranty but in the event Subaru Australia don't honour the repair im up for $1100 just for the removal and inspection.

 

[Guvna]

Gday Nanginator22
Just curious, if it’s still under warranty and Subaru told you noise is from the trans, why are you paying someone to look at it? Or did you mean Subaru is going to look at it and charge you if they void your warranty? Because I definitely wouldn’t let anyone but a Subaru dealer touch it.
Have you done any mods at all?
If the car is stock, and under warranty, and it’s Subaru that’s looking at it and you’ve kept up with all your servicing, they have no reason to not honour the warranty. I’ve always found Subaru to be really good with their warranties, let us know how you go, and good luck

 

[Nanginator22]

Hey Guvna (great name by the way!)

Sorry it wasn’t clear. I’m not paying anything unless Subaru Australia don’t honour the warranty. I still don’t know what the noise is and I can’t find anything online. When they pull the gearbox out they’ll tell me (hopefully).

The car is stock with 71,000km and has a full service history. I’ll keep you updated of what happens. Stressful when you hear that you might be outta pocket for something like this.

ive also asked for the leather be replaced on the steering wheel and drivers seat as they both have heavy wear. I’ll be stoked if they do but won’t be surprised if it’s knocked back.

They are also investigating “lumpy” steering feel at low or no speed.

 

[Guvna]

Gday again
Cool. Just so long as you’re not paying anyone else. To me, you have informed Subaru of a noise, they have said it could be the transmission and have offered to pull it out and check it. The car is stock, serviced and still under warranty. So...
1. If they pull it out and it IS the trans, you should get a free loan car until it is repaired or replaced under warranty at no expense to you. Or...
2. It isn’t a problem with the trans, in which case they should put it back together at their expense and keep investigating.
Either way you should be up for only the fuel and time it costs you to drive there. I’d be surprised if there is a third option. But if one of these two don’t happen I’ll have further advise for you then. Try not to stress, I know that’s easier said than done, I’d be spewin too. Good luck mate, keep us posted.

 

[Nanginator22]

Thanks mate, I appreciate your words.

 

[Guvna]

No problem mate, how’d you go today? Heard anything back yet?

 

[Nanginator22]

No problem mate, how’d you go today? Heard anything back yet?

Thanks for checking in.

They called me this morning to re book for next week. Too many cars getting pulled apart at the moment.
Goes in Wednesday morning. No loan car as they’re booked out for 4-6 weeks. Hopefully it’s only a couple of days

 

[Guvna]

Grrrr
How annoying!
I bet you just can’t wait to have it over and done with, now you gotsta wait another week

 

[Nanginator22]

Grrrr
How annoying!
I bet you just can’t wait to have it over and done with, now you gotsta wait another week

Yeah mate! Just want it done and dusted.

 

[Guvna]

G'day Nan
Any update on how ur baby's goin at the dealer?

 

[Nanginator22]

G'day Nan
Any update on how ur baby's goin at the dealer?

Thanks for checking in.

So I dropped the car off 8:30 Wednesday morning and they said they'd need a couple of days to investigate. I called them an hour ago to get an update as i'd heard nothing.

They checked with the Service advisor and this is what they told me:

"They have half removed the transmission (I assume, she didn't specify) and taken photos which have been sent of to Subaru Australia". "We are not sure what the problem is and can't give you any further information".

I ask when would I know and have they seen this before? She said they haven't and are not sure what it is.

She told me to call back Monday if i've not heard anything by 3pm and they should be able to give me an update. No loan cars available for 4-6 weeks

 

[Guvna]

Whaaaat?!
Man that sucks! Sorry for you.
I'd talk to the Dealer Principal (He's the guy that owns that dealership) and request a replacement car. That's not acceptable IMO.
They have other options if their usual loan cars are booked out, eg one of the staffs company cars or even a loan of one off the used car lot.
If they can't do that then they should be paying for a hire car for you. I used to work for a dealership many moons ago, and that' what used to happen if a customer pushed the point, At the end of the day your car is under warranty and something has failed, you shouldn't be put out any more than you already have been, it's not like they're doing you a favour, I'm sure you'd rather not have the problem and have your own car back. Worth a call to the Service Manager and if you have no joy there I'd ask to speak to the Dealer Principal. He should sort something out for you mate.

 

[Nanginator22]

That’s mate, I really appreciate the support. I do intend to ask for a loan car if they are going to take longer. I just don’t want to be “one of those people that complains and complains to get what they want. It really makes me uncomfortable. But I guess in this situation I might have too.

here’s the rub though. I bought car from a Subaru dealer on the other side of the city. It’s now at a Subaru dealer closer to my home. In your opinion, would what you suggest? Should I be contacting the sales person and tell them!? I figured there was no point but I could be wrong

 

[Tommygtt]

Try to contact with a Gearbox specialist, Subaru dealer will change the entire cvt and it will be very expensive.
Maybe the cvt can be repaired but Subaru won't do it.

 

[Nanginator22]

Thanks tommgtt. I think I’ll be happy if the replace the gearbox under warranty. I hope it doesn’t cost me anything. Once I know what the actual problem is then and if Subaru tell me they won’t fix it, then I’ll head to a subue specialist

 

[Guvna]

I don’t think the salesperson could do much being that you didn’t take it to the same dealer, he may be able to give some advice from his experience though, so a call couldn’t hurt. I agree you shouldn’t have to ‘complain’ to get service, but if you’re not getting it they kinda make you. As long as you don’t go in sideways with guns blazing I’d be surprised if they didn’t sort you out with something while you’re waiting for their diagnosis. As to Subaru not paying for it, they need good reason for that because your under warranty and have met the servicing requirements and haven’t modified it. In any case if the dealer says they won’t honour the warranty that’s not the end of it. But don’t stress about the what if’s, they could well just replace it under warranty yet, they need the chance to diagnose it, as painful as that is for you. It may not even be the cvt too, but if it is yours won’t be the first, or last, that they have replaced. Another question though, do you have a tow bar installed?

 

[Nanginator22]

Thanks mate.
Yeah I sent the woman who sold me the car at Subaru an email yesterday. Funny, the last think she emailed me 6 months ago was “if you need anything, let me know.” Cashing that in haha. If anything, hopefully she can put a word in to the dealer down here or something.

I’m trying to keep positive that it will be covered and I’ll get the car back ASAP.

no, it doesn’t have a tow ball. I had one on my last car and never used it. The only thing it was good for was kicking it with my shin haha

 

[Guvna]

Thanks mate.
Yeah I sent the woman who sold me the car at Subaru an email yesterday. Funny, the last think she emailed me 6 months ago was “if you need anything, let me know.” Cashing that in haha. If anything, hopefully she can put a word in to the dealer down here or something.

I’m trying to keep positive that it will be covered and I’ll get the car back ASAP.

no, it doesn’t have a tow ball. I had one on my last car and never used it. The only thing it was good for was kicking it with my shin haha

The only reason I asked about towbar was if you don’t have one they can’t say you damaged the trans by towing in the wrong trans mode or towing too much etc So that’s a bonus