Thud sound, shattering movement

Asked by GuruC69DB Mar 06, 2019 at 11:53 AM about the 2000 Subaru Outback Base Wagon

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a subaru outback, 2000 model.
I bought the car a few months ago to
drive around in Chile on vacation. The
roads here are terrible, gravel roads
with big stones and potholes. I have
driven approx 800 kilometers on
these gravel roads, and approx 4000
kilometers since I bought the car.
When I bought the car I had a
mechanic who looked at it, he
changed the oil and the filter,
alternator band replaced, rotors and
calipher brackets replaced, timing
belt and air filter also changed. After
driving 800 kilometers on the gravel
roads I noticed a thudding sound
from the car, and also a shattering
movement that comes with the
sound. I feel the shattering in my feet
and my seat. The thudding sound
came when I accelerated, and when I
was driving in more than 80 km/h. I
got a mechanic to look at it, he said
that a piece in the central suppot axel
needed to be replaced. However he
didnt have the piece and sent me
away. I drove to the next town and
got another mechanic to look at it. He
said it was a problem with the front
dampers, but didnt have the pieces
and sent me away. I drove to the next
town to see another mechanic. He
said that the constant velocity joints
needed to be replaced, which he then
did. He also said that the engine oil
level was low, so he refilled the oil. I
got on my way, and after driving
about one hour, the thudding sound
and shattering was back.

The faster I drive, the faster the
thudding sound (sounds almost like a
helicopter), and the harder the
shattering movement. When I brake,
the sound and movement disappears
to a great extent, sometimes
completely. But only for a short while,
and it comes back when I accelerate
at higher speeds. Yesterday I drove
several hours at around 100 km/h,
and it seem to have gotten more
persistent. Before yesterday, the
thudding and shattering came and
went, it could disappear after braking
or going downhill. Today however,
after 10 minutes driving in 80-100
km/h, the thudding and shattering
was back. In low speeds it is less
present, but it is more present in high
speeds and especially when
accelerating, and it is now less
interrupted by braking or going to
lower speeds. Sometimes the
thudding disappers when I turn to a
hard left (the car pulls more to the
right). I also checked the oil level, and
the mechanic has overfilled.
Sometimes I also smell gasoline
when I start the car, not always and
not a very strong smell. I am at a loss
here, the mechanics cant seem to
figure it out. Any input would be
much appreciated.

1 Answer

I think you should baby the car and hope it lasts until you can leave. Even if you could figure out the problem they probably could not fix it. Your other choice might be to go to a major city and find a Subaru specialist or Subaru dealer if there is such a thing down there.

1 people found this helpful.
Best Answer Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2000 Subaru Outback

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,270
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,390
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,310
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
1,080 Great Deals out of 20,531 listings starting at $400
Used Toyota RAV4
2,004 Great Deals out of 29,328 listings starting at $2,000
Used Honda CR-V
2,145 Great Deals out of 39,484 listings starting at $2,450
Used Toyota Tacoma
2,283 Great Deals out of 37,552 listings starting at $3,500
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,249 Great Deals out of 16,186 listings starting at $499
Used Toyota Highlander
1,520 Great Deals out of 19,677 listings starting at $2,200
Used Subaru Legacy
331 Great Deals out of 6,791 listings starting at $2,000
Used Toyota Camry
2,031 Great Deals out of 31,155 listings starting at $1,299
Used Subaru Impreza
355 Great Deals out of 7,488 listings starting at $2,495
Used Ford F-150
6,187 Great Deals out of 136,865 listings starting at $1,100
Used Honda Accord
1,597 Great Deals out of 30,385 listings starting at $1,850
Used Jeep Wrangler
3,334 Great Deals out of 61,779 listings starting at $3,000

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Subaru Outback For Sale
127 Great Deals out of 22,030 listings starting at $25,800
2023 Subaru Outback For Sale
103 Great Deals out of 1,284 listings starting at $22,417
2022 Subaru Outback For Sale
132 Great Deals out of 1,983 listings starting at $18,590
2021 Subaru Outback For Sale
185 Great Deals out of 2,234 listings starting at $13,995
2020 Subaru Outback For Sale
128 Great Deals out of 1,415 listings starting at $15,988

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.