Transmission
 

Well, As a precaution, because of all the horrible things I have heard about SVX transmissions, I replaced the fluid and filter last night. The fluid was a very dark black with red tints, and the little magnet in the bottom of the pan was 100% full of particles. The old metal screen filter was also very clogged. The fluid level on the dipstick before I changed it was above the full mark. I have a couple questions. #1 How much fluid do you usually put in the transmission after a change? #2 Is it normal to have so many particles floating around in there or is the tranny doing something it is not suppose to? #3 Is it normal for it to have a dark color like that?
One of the bolts on the pan had a little tag that said "Remanufactured for Subaru" I am assuming at some point someone replaced the transmission. (I have had this car 3 weeks) I notice once in a while I hear a thump when putting the car in reverse but other wise the transmission seems to function pretty well.

Add as much fluid as you took out :)

Sounds like it was in need of a change. Check it in a week as you'll probably want to replace the fluid again after it mixes with the fluid still in there.

The magnet kinda looks like a flower when it's full. It's better it's on the magnet and not circulating around!

The screen filter on mine didn't look bad until I cut it open.

The fluid shouldn't be dark.

Check the tranny mount while you're under there. It may be worn out.

Not only but also.
 

As there is bits of facing in the oil pan,( the little red tints), you would be best to check the cooler in the bottom of the radiator to see if it is clear. I would reverse flush the cooler to be sure. If there is no filter fitted under the battery, I would get a filter fitted there to catch the bits.

Harvey.;)

I also used to hear a thump when reversing. Once my trans died, I had it rebuilt and also had a bad U-joint on the drive shaft replaced. After the fix, I had no more thumping sound. The sound was either the trans or the U-joint. I hope your problem is the latter. Good luck!

When you had a bad U-Joint did your car make a "wrench banged on metal" sound when the car was moving slow?
Mine does this also and I cant quite figure out if it has bad cv's or if something else is bad, I took it to a mechanic and they thought the cv's where in great shape.

Noise only when I switched gears from park to reverse or back to drive, not while driving. If the U-joint is the problem, you can't change it alone unless you have it done custom made, as I did (U-joint and yoke). Otherwise you need to replace the whole drive shaft.

You can replace the u-joints in a SVX driveshaft.....
Go here to buy the replacement u-joints....

http://www.staugustinefwd.com/RWD/Staked/staked.html

I bit of a PITA to do, but MUCH cheaper than replaceing the driveshaft...

Now the CV joint in the center of some of the SVX's driveshaft is another story...:rolleyes: