Driveshaft or carrier bearing

1998 SUBARU LEGACY
200,000 MILES • 2.5L • 4 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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ONYXSTA OWENS
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  • 1 POST
There is a sometimes chirping or sweeping and sometimes rubbing noise that happens sometimes when I am driving at low speeds. When I accelerate the noise goes away. I suspect U joints or carrier bearing. When I climbed under the car to see if there was any play in the u joints there was some play where the drive shaft enters the differential.
Jun 22, 2021 at 6:57 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

A carrier bearing or u-joint wouldn't make a rubber sound, so I don't think that is it.

What it sounds like to me is the center bearing on the rear driveshaft. Do me a favor. Place the vehicle on a level surface, put the parking brake on, block the wheels, and put the transmission in neutral to remove tension on the drive shaft.

Grab onto the center bearing and move it up, down, left, and right to see if there is excessive play. If I recall correctly, it is housed in rubber.

I attached a picture below of the part I'm referring to.

Let me know the results.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

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Jun 22, 2021 at 9:48 PM
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