- #32 of 71
-
Re: FWD Mode [wcwilliams]
by denn1
-
Oct 13, 2008 (8:18 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: wcwilliams (Jul 01, 2008 12:07 pm)
I have a '91 legacy wagon with the same problem. Did you ever figure out the
problem? I read about a control module for the center diff., but I'm not sure what
models have it. The module locks and unlocks the center diff. I am now wondering
if maybe it is locking when it should not be-eg. front wheels are not spinning.
Please let me know. Thank You
|
- #33 of 71
-
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [wcwilliams]
by shebay
-
Oct 15, 2008 (6:30 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: wcwilliams (Aug 21, 2008 7:10 pm)
I just wanted to check in to see if you were able to get to the bottom of your problem. I have an automatic 98 Outback with the same issue, have been driving it in FWD for about 5 months with no problems but now that winter is coming I need to deal with it. I have gotten 2 opinions; transmission vs. rear diff, I really cannot afford trial and error.
|
- #34 of 71
-
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [wcwilliams]
by openeyes
-
Oct 22, 2008 (12:17 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: wcwilliams (Aug 21, 2008 7:10 pm)
Thought you'd be interested in knowing my 2002 forester is in the shop now for a replacement transmission(automatic) at only 46,200 miles. I do not have enough technical knowledge to tell you much but they did say multiple bearings were bad.
|
- #35 of 71
-
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [shebay]
by wcwilliams
-
Oct 22, 2008 (8:08 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: shebay (Oct 15, 2008 6:30 pm)
I took the forester to the dealer and the work order was to do a "transfer clutch assembly overhaul." The cost of the parts and labor was roughly 1,000. I negotiated with the service manager to have Subaru pay 40%, on the basis that this is not a repair that a decent car at 60,000 should have to have.
What was most disappointing in the whole thing was when I pressed the service manager about what MAKES this happen, he shook his head and said there really wasn't an answer to that, other than it was a design flaw that Subaru (let's hope) has corrected. I asked for the parts they replaced and took them to my local mechanic and asked him if he could see something that would suggest what caused it, and he said nothing looked suspicious.
So if these are your symptoms, my guess would be it's the transfer clutch/transmission.
hope this helps.
|
- #36 of 71
-
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [openeyes]
by wcwilliams
-
Oct 22, 2008 (8:12 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: openeyes (Oct 22, 2008 12:17 pm)
I did have my car fixed by Subaru dealer--it was transfer case/transmission. Cost was roughly 1,000, but Subaru agreed to pay 40% of that, so you might try and complain loudly that something like this should not have to be repaired at such low mileage. When I expressed my disappointment, one mechanic said, "hey, I've seen this happen at 35,000 miles."
So my question to anyone who really knows about Subaru AT design: do you know whether this problem has indeed be fixed in later models of Subaru??? Overall, I've been satisfied with my forester, but this has given me major pause about whether I will buy one again.
|
- #37 of 71
-
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [wcwilliams]
by ateixeira
-
Oct 23, 2008 (11:08 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: wcwilliams (Oct 22, 2008 8:12 pm)
Generally speaking, the auto is pretty robust and is not one of the problems that is mentioned routinely (read: head gaskets, wheel bearings).
I think you just had some bad luck.
|
- #38 of 71
-
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [ateixeira]
by xwesx
-
Oct 23, 2008 (12:30 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 23, 2008 11:08 am)
Yeah, not sure either. In my experience, the automatic transmission is robust. I heard many issues about 1999 Outback transmission failures, but few before and after that year. I had a 1996 Outback with the 4EAT, and never a lick of problems with the transmission, even after 220,000 miles.
|
- #39 of 71
-
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [wcwilliams]
by openeyes
-
Oct 24, 2008 (7:20 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: wcwilliams (Oct 22, 2008 8:12 pm)
I too have been satisfied with my Forester, but needing transmission or differential work at such low mileages also has me wondering if I should trust buying another one if Subaru considers this normal wear(?). The Subaru Dealer is replacing my deteriorated transmission with a remanufactured one. Subaru headquarters negotiated to covering 1/2; while truly appreciated, means my cost is over $1870.
How is it that a Forester properly maintained per their specs at one of their dealerships can need a automatic transmission replaced at 46,000 miles?
Is it really just several of us with "bad luck"?
|
- #40 of 71
-
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [openeyes]
by xwesx
-
Oct 24, 2008 (7:34 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: openeyes (Oct 24, 2008 7:20 am)
Subaru vehicles have a 60,000 mile drivetrain warranty. Has it been more than five years since its in-service date?
The only typical reason I can think of for early transmission failure is prolonged towing. Even if the trailer is within manufacturer specifications, I have seen them fail. I had a friend who moved his Subaru (with a trailer that was about 1500#) from Maryland to Alaska, and his transmission failed a couple months after arriving here. Subaru replaced it, no questions asked. His vehicle was somewhere between 35 and 40 thousand miles, and was about three years old at that time.
|
- #41 of 71
-
Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [xwesx]
by openeyes
-
Oct 24, 2008 (1:48 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: xwesx (Oct 24, 2008 7:34 am)
Purchase date was Oct 01 so that five year (aka end of warranty regardless of mileage) was Oct 06. For the record, never towed anything, never climbed anything, just standard basic driving on paved roads... but the transmission still reached the brink of failure.
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Wagons 
