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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

19283 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 9:15 AM

You are in the Subaru Crew Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV


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Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

Messages Page 1882 of 1929

#18808 of 19283 Re: Creaking/Groaning Noise turning at low speed [lg05legacy] by gjksn

Aug 17, 2010 (10:14 am)

Replying to: lg05legacy (Aug 17, 2010 6:08 am)
I experienced similar sounds about a year ago on my 2003 Legacy wagon. It was mostly when the steering wheel was cranked all the way one way or the other. There might've been a hopping sensation on mine as well. My dealer replaced the center or rear (can't remember which one without my records) differential. It was still under a Subaru Gold Warranty that had previously covered a very expensive sun/moon roof repair. The new differential seemed to fix it. I am completely mechanically disinclined and could fix nothing myself, but I mostly trust my dealer. In 8 years, they are the only people to have done any work on the car.
 
If/when you take in for service, you could at least ask to check those differentials.
 
Good luck.

#18809 of 19283 Transaxle Service by phil2000

Aug 17, 2010 (6:32 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 17, 2010 7:54 am)
What happens if the fluid in the rear transaxle is not changed for of 150K miles? One dealer says leave it in, the new fluid will be thinner and leak through the seals. He said the cost to change it would be $50. Another dealer said $100.00. I have tried for months to get the plugs out (heat, cold), but since I can not get the car up in the air at home... I am stuck with the dealer.

#18810 of 19283 Re: Transaxle Service [phil2000] by xwesx

Aug 18, 2010 (10:01 am)

Replying to: phil2000 (Aug 17, 2010 6:32 pm)
That's a long time, Phil. I would change it; I seriously doubt there will be seal issues as a result of the change. I strongly suspect that if you do not change it, the result will be (continued) accelerated wear of the gears. Given your plans to continue using the vehicle for a while, I would go with the preventative maintenance!
 
Honestly, you should be able to have that job done at ANY shop. I would go with a reputable independent (does NOT have to be Subaru-specific!).

#18811 of 19283 Re: Transaxle Service [phil2000] by ateixeira

Aug 18, 2010 (10:41 am)

Replying to: phil2000 (Aug 17, 2010 6:32 pm)
Rear diff comes off with a 1/4" drive socket, right? Just get a really long ratchet handle and/or a cheater bar. Drive the rear wheels up on ramps for access.
 
Important: remove the Fill hole first. If you remove the Drain hole first, and then can't get the Fill loose, there's no way to add fluid back.
 
To answer the question "What happens", I bought a used Miata and after 8 years, the fluid looked like chocolate pudding. Totally nasty. It only had 28k miles, but it was the age, I guess, and the gear oil was totally wasted.
 
Filled it up with about a quart of synthetic 75w90 and never had a problem. I had to buy a hand-held oil pump but it was under $10.
 
Here's a great step-by-step pictorial for a Miata, though any rear diff shouldn't be that much different. Including Subarus (I've done a Forester before):
 
http://www.miata.net/garage/trans/13.htm

#18812 of 19283 Re: Transaxle Service [ateixeira] by xwesx

Aug 18, 2010 (10:58 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 18, 2010 10:41 am)
AJ - it most likely has just a 1/2" receiver (square) hole on it. That's the way all four of my Subaru's have been.
 
Interestingly, my '69 Chevy only has one hole on it... the upper one! If you want to drain/refill without pulling the back cover plate off, you have to pump the old fluid out! Talk about lack of forethought....

#18813 of 19283 Re: Transaxle Service [xwesx] by saedave

Aug 18, 2010 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Aug 18, 2010 10:58 am)
Interestingly, my '69 Chevy only has one hole on it... the upper one! If you want to drain/refill without pulling the back cover plate off, you have to pump the old fluid out! Talk about lack of forethought
 
Probably NOT lack of forethought: deliberate cost reduction typical of General Motors for many years. Even extra short tail light wires were a Chevy trademark! Remember when they put the cheaper Chevy V8 in Oldsmobile.

#18814 of 19283 Re: Transaxle Service [xwesx] by ateixeira

Aug 18, 2010 (1:01 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Aug 18, 2010 10:58 am)
I meant 1/2", thanks for correcting me.
 
I even went out and bought a long-armed 1/2" ratchet drive to do it the first time.
 
Weird cost cutting, indeed.

#18815 of 19283 Re: Transaxle Service [phil2000] by fendertweed

Aug 18, 2010 (4:22 pm)

Replying to: phil2000 (Aug 17, 2010 6:32 pm)
I would change this asap ... it's not an auto tranny where you do have to worry more once you've gone way past what should have been done ... go for it.

#18816 of 19283 Re: Transaxle Service [ateixeira] by phil2000

Aug 18, 2010 (8:04 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 18, 2010 10:41 am)
I have tried and tried to do it myself.
 
Using a breaker bar with an extension pipe. WD40 and heat with a torch, applied freeze spray. If I could only get the car up in the air so I can put my 200 pounds on the wrench.

#18817 of 19283 Re: Thanks Mr. Shiftright - I know you want to help our customers [subaru_team] by hesper

Aug 18, 2010 (8:51 pm)

Replying to: subaru_team (Jun 15, 2002 6:19 am)
Patti,
I went through the appropriate channels for my 2010 outback problems and ended up contacting 1-800-subaru3. Your customer service reps who initially listened to and documented my issues never resolved my mechanical issues....in fact they never called me back and when I contacted them after waiting 8 weeks for their response said they concluded they would not fix the problems.... They did not have the courtesy to call me to discuss the issue they ignored the problem

Messages Page 1882 of 1929

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