[civicseth]

Hey Billy, I was wanting to see when/if I could bring the STi by and have you check it out. I didn't gain much knowledge from the other checkup I had the other day. I am having some new tires put on Monday, and I will be off from Monday-Thursday, so I could possibly come up there then if you are available. Anytime after that and I wont' be available during the week until sometime after February.

These are the symptoms of the problems:
1.
When driving, there is a pronounced "whine" or "hum" or "waaaaaa" sound when over about 10mph. It changes tone with the speed of the vehicle, not the engine speed. It occurs when the wheel is slightly held to the right, or when turning to the right at speed. When the wheel is turned left, the noise goes away. Over the past few days, the noise has slightly begun to be faintly heard when the wheel is held straight. They checked the wheel bearings, and no significant noise was heard from those. I know I have at least one axle boot torn. The noise seems to be coming from the driver's front, and the known axle boot tear is on the passenger side, if I remember correctly. The noise and occurance is consitant and is significant. I would really like to diagnose this issue and possibly get it repaired.

2.
Slight oil leak located on the driver's side of the engine somewhere. It leaves a puddle the size of a couple thumbnails each day.

3.
When driving and adjusting the DCCD from auto to manual and changing the torque ratio, popping/clicking noise occurs from the center differential. Is this something that will require a center differntial replacement? I plan to replace the tranny fluid and rear differential fluid soon, hoping to minimize this noise, but it will probably not help much.

I would really like a thorough check and find any other small or major issues that the car might have. I would like to get these things taken care of before I start feeling too confident about driving long distances or upgrading the performance.

My main concern is the humming/roaring noise from the front, and the clicking from the differential. I would really appreciate any insight at this point, and hopefully you will be able to get me in to get this thing checked out soon. I want the car to be fun to drive, not afraid I'm going to break it.

Thanks a ton.

 

[dtsti]

That noise when changing the dccd is not normal. That would be my #1 concern.

 

[civicseth]

That noise when changing the dccd is not normal. That would be my #1 concern.

Yeah, I didn't think it was. As long as I leave it in Auto, I don't hear much noise, but when it's being changed, it's pretty significant. I'm trying to decide if it needs a new center differential, front differential, or something else in there. I dont' know enough about them to diagnose that on my own. Whatever it is, I want to get it repaired.

 

[dtsti]

Yeah, I didn't think it was. As long as I leave it in Auto, I don't hear much noise, but when it's being changed, it's pretty significant. I'm trying to decide if it needs a new center differential, front differential, or something else in there. I dont' know enough about them to diagnose that on my own. Whatever it is, I want to get it repaired.

Its exspensive, I think a new center diff alone is about a 1k. I never mess with my dccd. I have had my car for about 4 years and maybe played with that thing 10 times max.

 

[civicseth]

Well, if it's going to be over $1000 to replace, and it only makes that noise when messing with it, it might be worth it to simply wait until it causes more of an issue when driving. I will have Billy check it out and see what he can come up with.

Billy, if you aren't 100% confident in checking this out, thinking you might not know exactly what any of this might be, then I can take the car to a dealer that might be more familiar with the specifics, but I would much rather prefer to bring the car to someone I know and have some trust in.

 

[dtsti]

If you think it might be a center diff. They really arent that hard to pull out and inspect. I did it with mine when I thought it went bad.

P.s sorry about polluting your thread.

 

[civicseth]

No problem. Any insight into this problem is better than none at all.

 

[civicseth]

If you think it might be a center diff. They really arent that hard to pull out and inspect. I did it with mine when I thought it went bad.

P.s sorry about polluting your thread.

What made you believe yours was going bad? What did it do? Did it end up being the center differential? What was the issue if not?

 

[dtsti]

What made you believe yours was going bad? What did it do? Did it end up being the center differential? What was the issue if not?

MIne made a grinding noise when I would try to take off. If I gave it to much gas when taking off 1500rpm or higher it would grind and not move. I had a brand new exedy twin disc clutch in there. I inspected the center diff it looked fine so I decided to change the clutch and that fixed it.

Chances are if it is making noise when you adjust the dccd it is more then likely the center diff. That is the hole bases around the dccd. It took me about 2 hours to pull mine out and the same to put it back in.

 

[civicseth]

Sounds like I am going to have to spend some money eiher way.

 

[Joey_997]

when did you get an STi?! im sure billy can handle it, hes probably busy looking at the effed up porn hes always sending me links to.

 

[Remedyz08]

even tho you said you got them checked .symptom 1 sounds like a wheel bearing ........ exact symptom my BMW made itd make a humming/ small vibration noise but would go away when turning the wheel to one direction

 

[GaragePar]

dtsti how many miles were on your car when you replaced the diff? did it have a rough life before you bought the car or do you know?

 

[jdm2000civic]

when i had my humming sound coming from my wheel, it was the wheel bearing and i was out of alignment.

 

[Remedyz08]

dtsti how many miles were on your car when you replaced the diff? did it have a rough life before you bought the car or do you know?

i dont think he replaced it... just inspected it ....

 

[GaragePar]

thanks for coming in Seth

 

[dtsti]

Mine never went bad. I thought it did so I pulled it out and inspected it

 

[10rtim]

So what did the wheel noise end up being? Seth, sorry you are having issues with the rig. As for the leak the cam seals are a common point for leaking or a crappy oil plug gasket.

 

[civicseth]

Billy, thanks for the help. The first noise ended up being the front driver wheel bearing. Billy replaced that and rebooted my passenger side cv axle. There is some differential whining, but i dont hear the clicking like i heard before. I am going to wait until it gets worse or i need a clutch instead of dropping over a grand on tranny parts and repair.

 

[ted dibiase]

Does it have the wrong offset on the wheels? I wonder why the bearing went bad.