Gear noises normal?

Rum · 03-11-2008, 07:54 AM

I just picked up my 08 STI last Wednesday. I've put on, oh, maybe 300 miles on it so far. This is my first Subie and my first AWD car. FIrst car of any kind with something other than a single open diff on it.

The DCCD is in AUTO - I haven't started playing with that yet.

I hear all kinds of gear sounds - is it normal?

When slogging it in traffic (straight line), in 1st or 2nd gear, the second I lift off the gas and the weight transfers forward, I get a noticeable meshing/whining/almost crunching sound coming from the front-center of the car. I assume this is the center diff, but is it normal for it to make this noise?

When turning at low speeds, I hear meshing sounds, and something that sounds almost like water draining out through a pipe (like the noise after you shut off the shower)... Are these noises normal?

I actually kind of like these sounds - makes me take note of the mechanical stuff happening in the car. I just want to make sure there isn't some minor problem (low fluid, for example) that needs to be corrected before it turns major.

Thanks for your input.

jph · 03-11-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rum

I just picked up my 08 STI last Wednesday. I've put on, oh, maybe 300 miles on it so far. This is my first Subie and my first AWD car. FIrst car of any kind with something other than a single open diff on it.

congratulations!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rum

I hear all kinds of gear sounds - is it normal?

yes

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rum

When slogging it in traffic (straight line), in 1st or 2nd gear, the second I lift off the gas and the weight transfers forward, I get a noticeable meshing/whining/almost crunching sound coming from the front-center of the car. I assume this is the center diff, but is it normal for it to make this noise?

When turning at low speeds, I hear meshing sounds, and something that sounds almost like water draining out through a pipe (like the noise after you shut off the shower)... Are these noises normal?

i can't say that i can hear any of the noises that you describe. but, then again, may be i'm used to them, and don't really notice them.

the whining noises ? pretty much all the time.
crunching/binding noises, when taking SHARP low speed turns.

but i can't say that i've ever heared my car make noises like a shower

J.

GilMikalian · 03-11-2008, 10:18 AM

Funny, I was thinking the same thing this morning as I was snaking my way through the parking at work with my radio off. All kinds of whirring and crunching. This is my first AWD, much less with all the tech that's gone into the STI tranny. Good to hear it's normal

Rum · 03-11-2008, 01:04 PM

Thanks jph.

**WC LATHE WERKS** · 03-11-2008, 01:24 PM

the 5MT in the WRX is loud too. I was considering putting in much stiffer mounts on my 6speed swap just to hear more cool noises. I like the racecar daily driver type of vehicle, especially when the weather is nice. it makes the commute more entertaining

98ss · 03-11-2008, 01:38 PM

It's part of being a rally car. Give you a chance to impersonate Colin McRae.

twigg107 · 03-11-2008, 02:18 PM

Its normal but I'd check the center diff fluids just to be safe.

mofoSTI · 03-11-2008, 02:59 PM

My 08 STI is louder than my 04 STI. I took mine in and they said it was normal.

07 Flt4bxr · 03-11-2008, 05:15 PM

wen ever u make sharp turns or u-turns jus put the DCCD in full open

jph · 03-11-2008, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07 Flt4bxr

wen ever u make sharp turns or u-turns jus put the DCCD in full open

or just leave it in auto, and trust the electronics to figure out what works best

J.

VtecSTI · 03-11-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mofoSTI

My 08 STI is louder than my 04 STI. I took mine in and they said it was normal.

WOW

insane. My 04 sounded like my 06 with full race motor mounts/tranny mount, every bushing ever made by whiteline and a billet pitch stop

. I would think the 08 would be a lot quieter than the 04-07 due to the extra sound deadening. Maybe i was wrong though.

S'poreSTI · 03-11-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rum

When turning at low speeds, I hear meshing sounds, and something that sounds almost like water draining out through a pipe (like the noise after you shut off the shower)... Are these noises normal?

Gear noises are normal for an STI, but i also got the fluid noises when i was throwing my new car thru some twisties. It was quite an obvious noise in the cabin with windows up (the 08 is quiet compared to my 05), and started once the steering wheel was turned >90 degrees in either direction. At first i thought it was rubbing somewhere but i couldnt see anything wrong in the wheel arches.
Later on the drive i figured the sound was like fluid bubbling in a pipe, so maybe something in the power steering? I was going to contact the dealer, but it didnt seem so bad on the following day. its on my KIV list

07 Flt4bxr · 03-12-2008, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jph

or just leave it in auto, and trust the electronics to figure out what works best

J.

ya leave it in auto wen diriving, but wen u make sharp turns or u-turns u will tend to hear biding, even in auto, in full open u wont. then jus put it back in wuto after ur doneturning... trust me i know. do it evey time, and i notice wen i dont. but its like second nature now.
if u dont believe me, go into ur drive way right now wen ur done reading this and try... then post.

Rum · 03-12-2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07 Flt4bxr

ya leave it in auto wen diriving, but wen u make sharp turns or u-turns u will tend to hear biding, even in auto, in full open u wont. then jus put it back in wuto after ur doneturning... trust me i know. do it evey time, and i notice wen i dont. but its like second nature now.
if u dont believe me, go into ur drive way right now wen ur done reading this and try... then post.

What exactly is full open? Is that manual on the lowest setting?

Rum · 03-12-2008, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S'poreSTI

Gear noises are normal for an STI, but i also got the fluid noises when i was throwing my new car thru some twisties. It was quite an obvious noise in the cabin with windows up (the 08 is quiet compared to my 05), and started once the steering wheel was turned >90 degrees in either direction. At first i thought it was rubbing somewhere but i couldnt see anything wrong in the wheel arches.
Later on the drive i figured the sound was like fluid bubbling in a pipe, so maybe something in the power steering? I was going to contact the dealer, but it didnt seem so bad on the following day. its on my KIV list

AHA! See, shower noises.

03-11-2008, 07:54 AM	#1
Rum Junior STI Driver Car: DGM 08 STI Fav Mod: Proudly mod-free since 2008 Location: Southern CA Posts: 106 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Gear noises normal? I just picked up my 08 STI last Wednesday. I've put on, oh, maybe 300 miles on it so far. This is my first Subie and my first AWD car. FIrst car of any kind with something other than a single open diff on it. The DCCD is in AUTO - I haven't started playing with that yet. I hear all kinds of gear sounds - is it normal? When slogging it in traffic (straight line), in 1st or 2nd gear, the second I lift off the gas and the weight transfers forward, I get a noticeable meshing/whining/almost crunching sound coming from the front-center of the car. I assume this is the center diff, but is it normal for it to make this noise? When turning at low speeds, I hear meshing sounds, and something that sounds almost like water draining out through a pipe (like the noise after you shut off the shower)... Are these noises normal? I actually kind of like these sounds - makes me take note of the mechanical stuff happening in the car. I just want to make sure there isn't some minor problem (low fluid, for example) that needs to be corrected before it turns major. Thanks for your input. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-11-2008, 10:18 AM	#3
GilMikalian Silver Member Car: '08 DGM STI w/BBS Fav Mod: Britax Roundabout Location: L.A. Posts: 676 Join Date: Jan 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Gear noises normal? Funny, I was thinking the same thing this morning as I was snaking my way through the parking at work with my radio off. All kinds of whirring and crunching. This is my first AWD, much less with all the tech that's gone into the STI tranny. Good to hear it's normal

03-11-2008, 01:04 PM	#4
Rum Junior STI Driver Car: DGM 08 STI Fav Mod: Proudly mod-free since 2008 Location: Southern CA Posts: 106 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Gear noises normal? Thanks jph.

03-11-2008, 01:24 PM	#5
WC LATHE WERKS Authorized Vendor Car: 04WRX /STi Swap Fav Mod: TiC AST Coilovers!!! Location: Tri-State, USA Posts: 1,223 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (86)	Re: Gear noises normal? the 5MT in the WRX is loud too. I was considering putting in much stiffer mounts on my 6speed swap just to hear more cool noises. I like the racecar daily driver type of vehicle, especially when the weather is nice. it makes the commute more entertaining

03-11-2008, 01:38 PM	#6
98ss Junior STI Driver Posts: 86 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Gear noises normal? It's part of being a rally car. Give you a chance to impersonate Colin McRae.

03-11-2008, 02:18 PM	#7
twigg107 Spec C Club Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: Me..... Location: Vancouver, Wa Posts: 1,334 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Gear noises normal? Its normal but I'd check the center diff fluids just to be safe.

03-11-2008, 02:59 PM	#8
mofoSTI Spec C Club Car: 08 STI,sr20det 510 Fav Mod: boob job for wife Location: springtuckey, OR Posts: 2,148 Join Date: Sep 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Gear noises normal? My 08 STI is louder than my 04 STI. I took mine in and they said it was normal.

03-11-2008, 05:15 PM	#9
07 Flt4bxr Grassroots STI Racer Car: 07 STi UGM Fav Mod: Crawford Location: sanbernardino, CA Posts: 500 Join Date: Sep 2007 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Gear noises normal? wen ever u make sharp turns or u-turns jus put the DCCD in full open