Gearbox Problem
 

My son and I both have SVX's. His is imported from the USA we think. It is LHD and the seat belt automatically engages when he shuts the door. His automatic gearbox has just failed. His transmission fluid looks ok but smells badly of burning rubber. My Is: Is the US spec gearbox the same as the European one? Would it be better to try and source the components in the UK or the US? I am a new member - I hope I am using the forum correctly. If not I apologise and someone please correct me. Regards John Parker UK.

First, let my say im sorry to hear about your tranny failure. Second, your tranny, if US spec, is not the same as the european and japanese version. Your tranny is somewhat identical to the same year Legacy model 4EAT, except beefier diff and clutchplates. I would suggest, it you opt for a replacement, to find a nice Legacy tranny. Do a search on this forum and you will find many options to both manual and different autotrannies to use.

/Alex

There are many people on this forum that will tell you the Legacy transmission will not hold up. I don't know if this is true, but I would suspect that it is.

If you are looking for a replacement, I would opt for the non-US version of the transmission as I believe it is nicer, however, it may require a different TCU. (Presumably the TCU would come from the same donor car.) Locating a replacement where you live would likely be difficult, so I understand why this may not be such a favorable option. It's certainly not bound to be any easier than importing a US transmission.

My suggestion is to have the transmission rebuilt. Any competent shop should have little difficulty doing this. The procedure for rebuilding one is the same as a Legacy. The only necessary parts should be a few clutch parts and gaskets and seals. I wouldn't think the parts would be terribly difficult to acquire overseas.

What sort of failure are we speaking of? The classic “what happened to third” failure?

It shouldn't be difficult to acquire the parts, no - but it will be expensive. I want to rebuild my old tranny myself, and the rebuild kit (from a friend who will sell me the parts at cost) costs $1500.

I have no idea what parts like that get marked up to.

Anyway, what makes people think that if UK SVX trannies are different (compared to the US SVX) that UK Legacy trannies are the same as ours? That doesn't make any sense. But now I do wonder...

...if the UK Legacy tranny is different than your son's US model (ie the same as your UK model SVX), then making it work may be very complicated. If your Legacys are the same as ours, then you might be able to find one to swap into your son's SVX. But you'll also have to get the rear diff out of the same donor Legacy.

I will also note that the US Legacy and US SVX trannies differ slightly beyond gear ratios. The SVX's clutches were beefed up to handle the increased power and weight, for example.

Let us know how your research goes and I wish you the best of luck.

www.bulkpart.com master rebuild kit 93008 is just $236 + shipping.
It does not include transfer clutch plates though.

Hi John, nice to meet you.

There was a guy at this year's SVX meet (Barry) who previously owned a US imported SVX and he had exactly the same problem.

He had the US transmission replaced with a UK one, but said that it was very difficult and expensive to do.

I think your best option is to get the US transmission reconditioned.

An automatic transmission specialist should be able to source the correct parts. The transmission is made by Aisin-Warner and used in several other vehicles (eg. Nissan), not just Subarus.

Whereabouts in the UK are you? Maybe someone in the European Forum can suggest a good repair shop in your area.

Good Luck.

Phil.

As far as I know the gear box internals are the same in both US and Euro models. An overhaul kit will fit both. The AWD section is different. the LSD clutch pack and the C solenoid assemble are both different.

I think it would be better to overhaul the US box. To change to the VTD Euro version would need the TCU, rear drive shaft (shorter), rear tranmission mount, rear diff, 3.7:1.

The VTD Euro box is the best unit, just adjust the band when it flars at the 2nd to 3rd change.

All the best.
Harvey.;)( I have edited the ratio from 3.9:1 to the right ratio 3.7:1)