Subaru Noisy Rear End Common Causes & Fixes

[@KurtofTrades]

If you found this helpful consider sending me a Super Thanks with the icon below the video, ❤💰 I will buy a Coffee with it! ☕

[@austin_boos]

I am at 89k miles on an 18' crosstrek, been having the backing plate noise in my rear right wheel for about 30k miles now. Had it looked at twice at the same service center, one time with SoA involved, they said it was my roof rack even though I told them it still occurs with the roof rack off. Planning to take it to another dealership that is about 45 mins away for them to diagnose it, I have the whirrling noise at 75mph, wheel bearings are fine. Update: took it to another dealer, getting both rear bearings replaced with updated backing plates. SoA should be covering repair completely since the issue first started before I went out of warranty. I even did a ride along with a tech, instantly heard bearing noise that was causing the backing plate to vibrate making the noise.

[@rashidtayidi8370]

Thank you for this great and very important info which has all been hiden (Service Bulletin 05-70-19R.) I have a 2018 Crosstrek with 60K miles experiencing this issue. I really feel Subaru had to fix this bad backing plate thru a recall. The bulletin says that the hub and backing plate have to be replaced as a set.

[@Lebalowski]

Wheel bearings and backing plates should change noise when moving the weight of the vehicle during a slight turn during speed. A differential will only change volume and sound when increasing or decreasing speed.

[@johnnorton61]

I am experiencing this all of a sudden at 48k miles on my 2017 Subaru Impreza 5 door. It happened just after a recent oil change / tire rotation. I appreciate the tips and will follow up. Thanks.

[@Jessica40187]

Wow that's interesting because now that I think of it my noise may have started happening after an oil change/rotation as well.

[@johnnorton61]

@Jessica So it turns out that it was exactly that: a wheel bearing located right rear. just where my ears were telling me. it's a $470 job but my extended warranty covered all but the $100 dollar deductible.

[@PingisTheDuck]

Thanks for the advice man, just bought used and decided that it was worth checking out now after watching this. Still have a warranty so hope to get it all sorted!

[@dak6028]

Excellent video!!! Wife’s forester is making this same noise. Video explained it exactly as we are hearing it. Have the extended coverage so this should be covered under warranty repair. 2016 with only 39,000 miles on it. Found the TSB so only issue now is if the dealer will replace the shield as some have said it is up to their discretion and SOA is backing them instead of the customer.

[@KurtofTrades]

If they don’t provide the updated backer plate then they aren’t following the TSB which is what Subaru recommends I would call subaru of America if the dealer isn’t going to use the new backer. GL

[@meradu2]

I was gonna say the same thing my wife’s car just hit 150 some thousand miles last night we were smelling this oil burning oil which was different and it looked like the back of the car was on fire we made it home got underneath and looked and checked and it looks like there’s a leak that came from the bearing on the inside of the rear rand were connected to the driveline but all the other information On the brake pads definitely good info because we had noises just like you described very good video may God bless you for it

[@My-2-Cents]

Hey could you post a link to the TSB, I just took my 2014 Forester in for the same problem and they wouldn’t even consider it was anything other than the bearings. $1500 repair to just replace the bearings.

[@My-2-Cents]

I found it.

[@michaelrivas1412]

@@My-2-Cents can you post the link you found?

[@Earthmama1968]

Backer plate! We just bought a used Impreza and the noise from the rear is terrible. Gonna check out the backer plate!

[@msheron]

Just bought a 2014 model and the infamous whirring noise. I thought it could be also from a lack of the thick fibrous felt like wheel well lining they place inside the wheel wells of some vehicles to mitigate road noise??? Will have our mechanic we use check the issues you stated however. Great vid and even saved it to faves

[@williamallen7836]

Also the carrier bearing on the split drive shaft will make this noise.

[@gwm_john]

Thank You 🙏 .. I replace my Imprezas 2 rear wheel bearings and no more noise 👍👍

[@Doomscrolled]

Going to take the wheel off tomorrow and check the pads and the hand brake first. If it isn’t that, I have the wheel bearing and updated backer plate on my Amazon list.

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

I'm old enough to remember when Subarus were durable.

[@KurtofTrades]

I think generally they are one of the better brands out there.

[@Auser12349]

That's why I like them.

[@chrisc5726]

Very helpful. Never heard of the backer plate potential for noise. Thank you. I have a noise problem on my 2018 Outback making a sound like a defective muffler/rattling coming out of the rear when hitting 65 mph that doesn’t go away with speed increase. Just checked the wheel bearing on both rear tires by pushing the tire into rotation. One had a bit of friction sound, the other one was fine. Both seemed a tight when rotating. Wonder how loose those tires should rotate freely. Brake pads are good. Rotated tires recently.

[@j7...]

Thx, good video. No bs, just straight to the point

[@richardoneill7291]

My 2014 Crosstrek sounds like I'm driving with snow tires on. Noise increases with speed. Happened not long after a Road Force balance and tire rotation. Was told by a transmission place, my drive shaft u-joint was stiff when they supposedly changed my transmission. Car has 121K. Getting it looked at with a stethoscope. Thanks for the ideas.

[@mattdittert3213]

By anychance do you have the part # for the updated baking plate I cant tell the difference between the 2

[@danpolo8829]

Thanks for the ideas of what to check. Just got a differential fluid check today and it still sounds loud. Needed it anyway after 50,000 miles without one. But I have a 2017 Outback, so I'm going to keep researching to see what other Outback owners/mechanics say.

[@robertstewart4745]

Did you ever find out on this? I have a 2017 Outback at 95,000 miles humming between 35-45 mph

[@danpolo8829]

@@robertstewart4745 yeah, changed my transmission fluid and my whole transmission failed! Had to be replaced. Covered by warranty thank God. Besides that, the noise I kept hearing before that was the rear wheel bearings I believe. Once I switched it out, the car sounds nice and quiet again. Wasn’t too bad a fix. Had a good mechanic friend who helped me with it. Didn’t cost too much.

[@vgfjr505]

I hear a clunking noise in the back tire and it correlates with the speed of the car. I start driving and after about 5-10mph, I hear thump noise at regular intervals; the faster I go the faster and louder it gets. Once I get to about 40-45mph it starts to fade because I am going fast that it seems the thumps just merge. I thought it was a bad tire or possibly a nail stuck, but the tire looks fine. I replace it to no avail. I’ve read it could be the CV joint or the bearings. The noise doesn’t get worse when turning. The thumping sound just correlates with speed, so I am thinking it may not be the CV joint. Any ideas?

[@jonwpike]

Just started getting the whining from the rear and plan on doing new pads and rotors anyway. Hopefully its not the backer plate because Im not getting the clicking clunking noise

[@randypoffo4life]

Bro the service department at the Subaru dealership I go to sucks. I'm still hearing a noise as I speed up and slow down, it's not a clunking or grinding noise. I've already taken it twice, these people just suck at Subaru Pembroke Pines. It is a 2022 Legacy.

[@Charkatak]

Test drove 2024 Impreza RS the other day and coasting at 25 mph or so, I heard a howling/whining noise from under the car. It was on couple of occasions during my test drive. Differential noise?

[@wendyc3467]

If you replace the backer plate with a new one-does that usually fix the vibrating noise for good if that is what is causing the noise?

[@KurtofTrades]

Yes it does, the wheel bearings can still go bad but before they were just replacing the wheel bearings when it was the backer plate that was the problem.

[@irchrisb]

I just bought backing plates for my 2010 Legacy. Didn't even know they could be a source of noise.

[@scottandkellyhudson1703]

I have a 2017 Outback with this noise. Is the backer plate for the bearings an issue for this model? I did not see it on the document you posted during the video. Thanks!

[@KurtofTrades]

Looks like it was only for the crosstrek, Impreza, and Forrester.

[@joshuawitzel8785]

We have the same issue / noise with our 2016 Outback. Have had 4 different service places look at it over the last 1.5yrs and can't find the issue. Going to do this update and hope it fixes the issue.

[@gatgolf]

@@joshuawitzel8785 Did it solve your noise issue with the outback?

[@BlazinBlades]

Mine just makes a loud grinding sound when I stop for like 10 seconds whirring down to a drown and it stops. Go figure…

[@brandyjanik66]

Hi thanks for the video. I have 2012 subaru impreza based model with 168000 miles on it. Mostly my wife is driving the car with the kids. Yesterday when i drove it i started to hear that like gear noise but i am not sure where it's coming from. I think it's both from and center i can hear it mostly on lower speeds at around 30 to 40mph on smooth pavement. I am taking care of this car well doing all the services by the factory book. Last year i did replace it the front and rear brake disc and brake pads. Differential fluid was done at Subaru dealership about 2 years ago. Any advice?

[@lukasray3495]

Will driving with these backer plates hurt anything? I had my bearings checked out and they were fine so said the dealership 😅

[@KurtofTrades]

They are supposed to be on therr

[@jobonam28]

Thank you!

[@kimboy2008]

Thank you! I found this helpful! 👍🏼

[@snowpigpow]

I have noise from rear end on ‘22 OBW. Could be wheel bearing at only 20k miles?

[@KurtofTrades]

It’s possible I’ve heard of them going that quick. Could be the tires wearing out too the ones that come on new cars don’t last very long.

[@snowpigpow]

@@KurtofTrades turns out it was a failed wheel bearing/hub assembly. Replaced under warranty. Also just had CVT pan resealed under warranty, it had a slow leak :/ All is well now, great car!

[@Homefree18]

My wife has so much junk in her Crosstrek rattling I don’t know if it’s the vehicle or her junk 🤦🏼‍♂️😂

[@KurtofTrades]

Easy, those are fightin’ words!

[@Homefree18]

@@KurtofTrades 😂

[@Earthmama1968]

I feel called out by this comment. LOL

[@Homefree18]

@@Earthmama1968 😂

[@jasoncohn289]

Great video. I’m hearing a noise like this from one of the rear wheels. I’m driving across the country and have two more days of driving to get home. Would it be unsafe to wait until I get home to deal with it? Was driving on dirt roads a lot (I do mean A LOT) for the past few weeks so maybe dirt issues? Just started after two days of driving. ☹️

[@KurtofTrades]

It’s likely ok to wait but that is a lot of driving. Depends what the issue is.

[@jasoncohn289]

@@KurtofTrades Thanks. I will probably get it checked out in the morning to be safe. It doesn’t seem to be loose lug nuts or a tire pressure issue, but the inside of the wheels are chock full of dirt and dust. I’ll start with a good car wash before taking it to a mechanic just to cross my t’s.

[@KurtofTrades]

Yea could just be out of balance from the mud.

[@refresh77]

How often should I change the rear diff fruid?

[@KurtofTrades]

I've never changed it in any car I've owned, probably isn't a bad idea at 100k though,

[@YellowJacketGarage]

I'll point my son in law towards your channel, he's a Subaru guy and some of your content might interest him too. Does Subaru recommend caliper grease on those slide points? If so, making sure the caliper is lubed might help too. Great video!

[@KurtofTrades]

I don’t believe they do but also another great thing to check! Thanks.

[@irchrisb]

Don't put grease or anti-seize on the mounting tabs of the pads. Grease the bracket under the abutment clips. This helps prevent rust under the clips. Rust under the clips swells and pinches the pads so they don't move any more. Stuck pads cause premature pad and rotor wear.

[@user-ni3ji2lm8u]

Which old model has same wheel hub as subaru xv?

[@KurtofTrades]

Most Subarus are 5x100

[@restonpat]

I have a 2006 subaru Forester with 29000 miles and as i drive i hear a whapping noise from rear of car.What could it be does anyone know?

[@pslightly_psychotic]

I need to do this on a 2017 Outback. How do I make sure I get the new plates as opposed to older ones? Can I assume Subaru only sells the new ones?

[@KurtofTrades]

I would call your local Subaru dealers parts department, they should be able to make sure. If they don’t know what you are talking about go somewhere else lol

[@RavBaddie]

well done

[@Ninjachucks]

Thank you my dude!

[@joshuawitzel8785]

This might be a stupid question but how do you know its the updated backer plate? When I search this all I'm finding is OEM backer plate but nothing about updated version. Any insights are links to help find the correct one would be very appreciated. TIA!

[@KurtofTrades]

I’m not sure actually. They must have a different part number I would assume. Might be helpful to call your local Subaru parts department they would know most likely.

[@Frae-_-]

Hey I have a subaru outback 2018 and at higher speeds over bumps, or just big bumps on the rode, I hear a metal *clink* from the rear right side. Do have any ideas on what that could be?

[@Mr.Titrator]

I’d wager it’s related to your suspension.

[@truthBtold99]

I had the whirring sound happen when the car was parked and turned off.... 2018 forester

[@vickiemcglauflin3551]

Me too

[@truthBtold99]

@@vickiemcglauflin3551 they said it was something to do with a pump that regulated?brake fluid? What was a major problem was a battery that ran down because of all of the demand on it while the vehicle was NOT RUNNING. Got the battery replaced "in the nick of time" before warranty ran out.

[@SebastianGarcia-pv4jw]

My man

[@philipsmiley6008]

Kurt how can I email you.

[@KurtofTrades]

Email in my contact info. On my channel look at the about page

[@My-2-Cents]

KZbin will not let me post the link, but a search for this brings it up: MC-10185064-0001.pdf

[@robcarter6599]

Thank you!