libertyordeath

Hi everyone, Just a quick update. I was on the cusp of ordering new front CV joints, but opted to get new tyres first. Put the new ones on the front and rotated the fronts to the rear (about 80% tread). Driving out of the tyre store, problem appears to be resolved! I don't think it was anything to do with wheels being out of balance etc, but for some reason the car pulls smoothly from low speeds and the weird throbbing seems to have gone. I notice if I really accelerate hard from a standing start, basically like a race start only, there is a slight vibration like before. I suspect the front CVs as I am running out of options that haven't been replaced..... One final note is that I have been running the tyres at around 40psi. I notice that the tyre store has filled the new tyres to 36. It is the only discernable difference that I can make other than the new rubber. Thanks to all for your comments and help - for now it looks like this case has been put on ice (I am not going to say closed!)

For the sake of the argument, I am going to do the front CVs as well I think. The weird part is, whilst being the most obvious failure point on high mileage Subarus, the vibrations make it so unlikely. Also the lack of noise (my old Brumby would TELL you when the CVs were cooked!) and no knocking on full steer just made me skip over them.... But it has to be the CVs. Finally, the weirdest part is that the vibration goes away (fully, from a standing start) after a long drive (>80km) - just disappears until something cools down again I am guessing.

Thanks 08SpecB_DE - its a good hunch, but do you think there would be vibration transferred through the steering wheel? I don't have any at all, which made me skip over front CVs as the issue.

I am not sure its wheel based, FLlegacy but thanks for offering help. It only occurs under load, ie. when I back off at any speed it stops immediately. It also seems to go away at higher speeds and if I floor it over 70kmh say, there is no vibration.

Thanks silverton, yes the transmission crossmember mount was replaced. (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/164071243617) This actually tightened up some of the vibration, which is leading me to think the issue is coming from either the centre diff, or the CVT.....

Thanks for the thoughts guys, I am going to stop madly swapping drivetrain parts and throw some new rubber on and see if that does anything. I will report back.

Mmm good sleuthing there Scubaboo. Thanks for your thoughts. Yes have replaced tyres when popped, decided to put the worn right side on the back and two new ones on the front. Tread depth quite varied between front and back. Exactly the same tyre type when replacing. To add some additional info, I have been 'reasonably' caring for a slow leak on the rear right for a good while now, topping it up but occasionally it probably is lower than it should be. Perhaps this has loaded up the centre diff?

Hi All Recently joined to start a thread but have been reading legacygt for a while. I have an recent issue that has come up on my 2012 BR Liberty (wagon, CVT, 2.5, 199k kms (123k miles) over Christmas. My nearest 'subaru whisperer' is over an hour away and it's our only car for the minute, so attempting to solve the issue myself until I cannot, and have to drag it way across town. Issue started with a vibration when accelerating reasonably hard, in straight line, from a standing start. Vibration seems to go away at higher speeds (say 60kmh / 40mph and above) and there is no effect to fuel economy. Vibration seemed to come from a number of places, but seemed central to car, no knocks just a 'throbbing' under reasonable acceleration load. Also seems to go away after a while, ie worse when the car is cold? Parts replaced so far: 1. Initially, I suspected front LH wheel bearing (has happened before and was replaced). Replaced front LH wheel bearing again after 12months of the 2nd one. 2. Replaced rear LH wheel bearing (wife hit a curb and popped 2 tyres a few years ago, thought perhaps the rear had gone like the front did as above, just a little later) 3. At this point, over the New Year break, I took it to a local mechanic who drove it and immediately said the rear diff had gone. Couldn't fix it for 3 weeks, I was on break so just did it myself. So rear diff has been replaced. 4. Still no better, I swapped the rear engine mount (that hangs onto the back of the centre diff) rubber as the original one looked compressed and whilst not broken I thought it might have softened and allowed more vibration. Still no good. 5. Finally, have swapped out the centre drive shaft with a good condition used one, the original one definitely was stiffer and clicked so felt this was a good change. Whilst a little better, THE VIBRATION REMAINS! My thoughts move now to rear CVs (the vibration seems to come from the centre/rear but so hard to tell....) - they look fine, and had no play when I swapped the diff so didnt give them a second thought. They don't click, and I have read they rarely break? ANY THOUGHTS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED......