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Laffy Kat

(16,379 posts) Tue May 28, 2019, 10:16 AM May 2019

Car mechanic type people, help! What do you think? [View all]

2003 Subaru Outback Sedan: Sounds and feels like a flat tire on the left side but no flat. Kind of feels like it starts on the front and works its way back. It is worse when I first accelerate, the car shimmies. There is also a weird noise coming from under the hood but only when I'm driving it, not when it idles. I'm afraid to drive it to the mechanic and will prob. have it towed when I find one that is close to me and opened.

Thanks!

34 replies

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Car mechanic type people, help! What do you think? [View all] Laffy Kat May 2019 OP

Constant velocity joint? Turbineguy May 2019 #1

Is that expensive? nt Laffy Kat May 2019 #2

I'd get a proper analysis first Turbineguy May 2019 #6

Many possibilities zipplewrath May 2019 #3

I thought about the power train, too. I must have heard that from somewhere before. Laffy Kat May 2019 #7

I did get that tire plugged recently. It was flat a couple of weeks ago. nt Laffy Kat May 2019 #8

Was it rebalanced? zipplewrath May 2019 #12

I'm embarrassed to say I don't know. Laffy Kat May 2019 #14

Check the lug nuts under the hub cap,.. the lug nuts may have worked lose or not tightened properly. magicarpet Jun 2019 #27

I second this recommendation. Start with the easy stuff first. Lochloosa May 2019 #15

Do both front wheels point the same? House of Roberts May 2019 #4

Thanks, this helps. Laffy Kat May 2019 #5

Pretty hard to tell without actually experiencing what you describe but I can marked50 May 2019 #9

Gosh, that does sound like it. It has 150K miles. Laffy Kat May 2019 #13

I found a few videos about it on youtube ProudLib72 Jun 2019 #30

First thing, check that the wheel is on tight ExciteBike66 May 2019 #10

Thanks, I got that tired plugged after a flat a couple of three weeks ago. Laffy Kat May 2019 #11

Check that tire right away. MicaelS May 2019 #21

Separated tire. My guess. kacekwl May 2019 #16

Wouldn't I be able to see that? Thanks. nt Laffy Kat May 2019 #17

Normally no . kacekwl May 2019 #18

Id bet that the L/F wheelbearing Mopar151 May 2019 #19

Thanks. I had it towed to a shop.. Laffy Kat May 2019 #20

Post back and let us know. n/t MicaelS May 2019 #22

I will. nt Laffy Kat May 2019 #23

So turns out the U-joint failed and they had to replace the driveshaft. Laffy Kat Jun 2019 #24

Thanks for the update. n/t MicaelS Jun 2019 #25

My 2003 Pontiac vibe with 125,000 had the same problem kimbutgar Jun 2019 #26

Several people told me I got a good deal. Laffy Kat Jun 2019 #31

they had to replace the whole driveshaft? Kali Jun 2019 #29

Yes, they replaced the whole thing. Laffy Kat Jun 2019 #33

yeah they sure can Kali Jun 2019 #34

Motor mounts? demosincebirth Jun 2019 #28

Maybe that, too. It still has a slight rattle they weren't able to locate. Laffy Kat Jun 2019 #32