Center diff

[RobE30]

I'm sure this has been covered but before I jump into changing my center diff, are there any other possible culprits for clunking during tight low speed turns? I'm pretty sure it's the center diff but I just want to be sure. Doesn't sound like a bad cv axle... Anything else I should replace while I have the diff out? The clunking is more apparent while backing into my parking spot (parallel parking) if that helps.

[chuckthefuk]

Sounds like axles/ball joints.. If the center diff where failing then it would be constant not just during turns.

Inspect your ball joints / CV boots..

-Chuck

[StatGSR]

^ what he said, don't do anything with the diff until you confirm everything else is good

[Huffer]

Auto or manual? If it's auto, I suspect torque bind of the transmission clutch packs...

[Dead91silvia]

You know, I just changed a center diff for one of my customers. It's a 5speed 02 WRX. Nice big clunks when wheels is turned. He said that it also would do it under normal driving, but I told him no more driving and had it towed to the shop.

Customer asked to have it changed. CV's are good and so are the ball joints...

The part at Subaru new is about $550 ish. Not bad at all to change. You dont even need to pull the trans. My whole sale guy says that they have sold a few of them in the last year. I wont be test driving it till this next Friday, but I'll let you know if this fixed the problem.

[RobE30]

Thanks for the info guys. The reason I suspected the diff is because the po had worn tires out back and new tires up front. I took care of the tire issue already. Also, it is a 5 spd

[Dead91silvia]

After finishing the center diff in a customers WRX, we also found that the Rear diff spider gears where done as well... You might want to pull your rear diff and pop the cover off and inspect them before replacing the center diff....

[RobE30]

So I got my car back Friday from my buddies shop. He replaced the center diff and all the shift bushings etc and I feel like I'm driving a new car! It is so nice to be able to parallel park w/out horrible clunking noises. Next up is to replace my clutch slave and install my light weight (big hp gains here! ;)) pulley then eventually hgs..... Headers and Sti exhaust is already on and it sounds great

[ProjectX]

If the clunking starts on turns after a good drive i.e. the centre diff warmed up, then it is the C-diff. Had the same problem and replaced with a Sti8 C-diff and problem solved.

Hope you get yours sorted. I know how annoying and embarassing it can be!