Center Differential rebuild?

[jzignig]

Soo I've been trying to figure out what my popping noise is on my legacy now for a good 5 months.

It needed inspected, so i took it in and had my mechanic take a look at it. He told me that i have either a cracked or chipped spider gear in my front diff. so much for it being something easy...

Has anyone else had theres redone recently, and if so do you remember how much it sunk you? I just started a semester of school, so time is NOT gonna work with me. So I can forget trying to do it myself.

Also, I'm located in Central PA, Anyone know of any reputable places i could take it to?

I'm kind of at a loss for words right now, I thought for sure it'd just be something stupid...

Thank you.

[chuckthefuk]

I am confused. You said Center diff in the title but your mechanic said its your front diff? Which is it?

If your on a budget and time is of the essence you could source out a new transmission. It comes down to this.

Your going to pay someone to pull your transmission regardless so why have them diagnoss and replace whats already toast. Call a salvage yard or a rebuilder and get a transmission from a 97-99 GT wagon/sedan with a Final Drive of 4.11

Its much cheaper to get them to re-and-re the transmission then it is to rebuild.

check out the prices at www.car-parts.com (http://www.car-parts.com)

I helped out BenO with almost the same issue
---> viewtopic.php?f=70&t=18891 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=18891)

[jzignig]

I'm not much of a transmission guy chuck. I understand general function, but i haven't a clue as to what exactly is where on our cars. Its the front diff where the cv axles are inserted. whether or not that is the "center" diff, i do not know. i just know that its in the center of the front of the car. lol. I know you know all the ins and outs of legacy's, so i'm sorry for the confusion.

If i could get this car to last me until next summer, i would have no problem with garaging it and keeping it off the road for a goood bit to get everything done.

What would be worst case scenario if i just ran this thing like it is? It still drives fine, its just an extremely cringe-inducing noise.

[Airgne]

i would also recommend a new tranny. you can replace just the parts that are broken, but it will be some work.

i have taken a subaru 5mt transmission apart and its not easy, but it can be done. i wrote up in the diy section on how to do this.

[ouch1011]

The center diff is basically in the rear 1/4 of the transmission. Front diff is where the front axles stick in to.