Whirring sound upon deceleration?

2013 SUBARU OUTBACK
150,000 MILES • 2.4L • 4WD • MANUAL
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SUBOUT
Whirring sound upon deceleration when in gear or neutral. Differential fluid has been flushed and changed. Could it be a gear within the differential, and if so what could I expect to spend to replace it. I am in Canada. Thanks
Jun 22, 2026 at 2:17 AM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hello,

Can I ask if the noise is coming from the front? I would look at the tire tread for cupping/scalloped. Also, I have seen the bearing hubs go out and cause this noise as well. Here is a guide to help us find out what the problem is

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/7-common-symptoms-of-a-bad-automotive-bearing-hub/

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so I can hear the noise? that way I can tell for sure what's going on. You can upload it here with your response. We need to hear the noise so we know which direction to go to help you fix the car. Strailer
Jun 22, 2026 at 4:12 PM
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SUBOUT
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Thanks for the quick reply. I am travelling today in another vehicle. I will shoot a video and send it to you within the next couple of days.

Regards
Jun 22, 2026 at 8:40 PM
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SUBOUT
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OK back into my Outback. A couple of points:

My heading says Manual Transmission. It is actually an Automatic.

The sound appears to be coming from just below the gear shifter area or forward of that. The sound does not change as you turn the wheel left or right. Once you are going more than 20 MPH, then take your foot off the gas, the noise will start and sounds like you have down shifted and gets lower and lower in pitch until you stop. If you are going 50 MPH and take your foot off the gas, the pitch is much higher, like you dropped it into a low gear at a fast speed. The sound remains whether you are in Drive or Neutral once you decelerate.

You can hear the noise in the attached video. Ignore any sounds other than the whirring sound (my dog was in the car with me). Thanks again.
Jun 22, 2026 at 11:15 PM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,480 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Yep, Did you look at the tires? Do that have aggressive tread? That can make this kind of noise, if the tires are okay that is may be bad. It sounds like the carrier bearings might be bad, the next step is get the car on the rack and have someone in the car to start the engine and put the car in drive to go 50 mph to see if the noise is coming from the transaxle. Thanks for the video it help, say hi to the dog for me, I love dogs :)
Jun 24, 2026 at 1:27 AM
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