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Subaru Forester Transmission Questions

182 messages,  Last post on Aug 29, 2010 at 9:02 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Transmission

Messages Page 16 of 19

#149 of 182 Re: Forester pauses before shifting into drive? [arielphf] by morte

Aug 07, 2008 (3:07 pm)

Replying to: arielphf (Nov 13, 2007 11:21 am)
I had the same "pause before shifting into drive "problem with my 1999 Subaru Forester (94,000 miles). I took the car to a transmission repair shop (Croteau's in Johnson City, NY) and they said it was "defective low clutch seals" which they replaced for a grand total of $1028.74.
 
Here's the cost breakdown if you're considering having this repair done on your car: Labor ($690) + Parts ($262.54) + Tax ($76.20) = $1028.74
 
The parts include: Gasket/Seal Kit ($196.55) + Internal Filter ($15.43) + Spin-On Filter ($10) + Transmission Fluid ($40.56) = $262.54
 
The shop owner said that except for the seals, the transmission was in great shape. Furthermore, he said he has seen enough 1999 Subaru Foresters come in to his shop with this problem that he knew exactly what was going on as soon as I described the "pause before shifting into drive" problem to him over the phone.
 
By the way, before I took my car to Croteau's, I called my local Subaru dealer. The Subaru dealer gave me the following quotes: $6000 to rebuild the transmission, or $4000 to replace the transmission with a new, remanufactured transmission, or $2200 to install a used transmission from a junk yard.
 
Before Croteau's did any work on my car, they estimated that the replacement of the seals would cost about $1000. Or, in the worst case scenario, once they opened up the transmission and saw that it had to be rebuilt, they could rebuild it for about $2300. The $1028.74 I spent to replace the seals was a lot of money, but compared to the prices the Subaru dealer quoted, I'm not complaining.
 
Based on my limited experience, my advice is: if your Forester goes in reverse with no problem, but hesitates when put in drive, it's probably the seals that need to be replaced. If you want to have the seals replaced, find a reputable transmission repair shop. Avoid the Subaru dealer and their outrageous prices.

#150 of 182 Re: 2003 forester with manual and drive train problem [aatherton] by paisan

Aug 07, 2008 (4:46 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Aug 04, 2008 11:31 am)
I generally drive my cars hard so I will notice the slip in 1st and 2nd on hard starts from traffic lights or accelerating onto the highway. In 4th and 5th I am rarely mashing the pedal or really getting to higher RPMs, whereas I usually wind out 1st and 2nd more than 4th and 5th.
 
The letting out the clutch slowly w/o giving it gas is also a proceedure I use as well.
 
I have seen where a faulty master or slave cylinder has caused what appeared to be slippage in the non-turbo cars (RS most notably).
 
-mike

#151 of 182 Maintenance - Clutch by onoffroad

Jul 10, 2009 (1:37 am)

#152 of 182 Maintenance - Clutch by onoffroad

Jul 09, 2009 (2:40 pm)

When I shift gears,the clutch makes a clump you can hear and feel ! Especially going in to 2nd and 3rd ! 08 Forester !

#153 of 182 Re: Maintenance - Clutch [onoffroad] by grahampeters

Jul 10, 2009 (1:37 am)

Replying to: onoffroad (Jul 09, 2009 2:40 pm)
G'day
 
If the vehicle has reasonable wear, it sounds like brake master cylinder on its way out. Not a hugely expensive repair but necessary after about 80,000 miles if clutch has been heavily used.
 
Cheers
 
Graham

#154 of 182 Transmission downshift and check engine light by needy1900

Sep 05, 2009 (9:42 am)

Hi, sporadically the automatic transmission will not down shift while going up a grade or hill. There is also a sporadic issue with the check engine light going on. It seems that the transmission has downshifting issues when the check engine light is on. Sometimes the check engine light comes on at start up and other times it can come on while driving but it is not on all the time. Both issues are sporadic but atleast once a day.
 
Can you offer any guidance?

#155 of 182 Re: Transmission downshift and check engine light [needy1900] by xwesx

Sep 05, 2009 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: needy1900 (Sep 05, 2009 9:42 am)
Get a code reader.... It would pay for itself in no-time at all! If you can get the codes, you would have a much better idea of what is happening.

#156 of 182 98 Forester S clutch by subidoo

Oct 22, 2009 (6:35 am)

Just joining the forum. I see a bunch of people with same issue here and curious how much "time" I have left on my clutch, if that is indeed what's up. Just did the 4th gear start trick: she rolled forward about 1/2 way up the clutch and then started to stall, as one would expect so she's not totally toast yet. I'm having the infamous clutch shudder in 1st when starting out, much worse when going uphill than flat (obviously) AND she really hates to go into reverse (grinds and then drops in - I start the car AFTER she's in reverse now!). The rest of the gears are flawless. Is there a possibility it's something OTHER than a full clutch replacement that's needed????
I just bought the car private party ($2000 so I'm not bitching- she's leather & loaded + the head gaskets, timing belt, etc done in the last 1000 miles) so I don't know what her history is but she rides GREAT other than the clutch issue. All help and ideas MUCH appreciated!!!

#157 of 182 Re: 98 Forester S clutch [subidoo] by paisan

Oct 22, 2009 (8:11 pm)

Replying to: subidoo (Oct 22, 2009 6:35 am)
How many miles on the clutch? Reverse is always an issue especially on the subies, but shouldn't be that bad to get into.
 
Clutches go about 60-80k miles on the subies, so you are probably due.
 
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor

#158 of 182 Re: 98 Forester S clutch [paisan] by subidoo

Oct 23, 2009 (3:52 am)

Replying to: paisan (Oct 22, 2009 8:11 pm)
Mileage on clutch - that's the "unknown". The car has 167k on it so sounds like she should be getting ready to get clutch #3. The fact that it passed the "4th gear test" seemed promising though. Any other signs of impending doom we should watch for or could it just give out at any time???

Messages Page 16 of 19

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