Slipping Transmission
 

As the original owner of my 1992 Pearlie, I hate to think that it might be dead and what to do with it.
For several months I have had issues with clunking from the driveline. I initially thought it was the driveshaft after changing the fluid and filters with no change, but on further investigation, the tranny mount was split and after replacement most of the clunking went away.
However, the driveline started binding, especially in reverse when making a sharp turn, as in when leaving a parking space. Took it to a transmission shop that replaced the tranny at 100k miles and 15 years ago. They could not really replicate the experience, as it was intermittent at that time.
With time it got worse and thinking it was the transfer case clutch pack or duty solenoid c malfunctioning, I thought I would give the tranny additive a try as discussed in these forums. I put in two oz. of Lubegard tranny shudder fixx on Saturday. Drove it then, and it seemed to have helped. Didn't drive it Sunday.
On the drive into work this morning, all was well until while waiting for a light to change so I could turn left, I was unable to accelerate away from a stop. I could move in reverse and when shifting all the way to 1st. Once underway, was able to shift to D and made it the next mile to work.
At lunch, I drove the 2 miles to the transmission shop and dropped it off for them to look at it. Driving there, it again had the same slipping symptoms in D. When in that position, the car could rev to 5000rpm and not move at all. When shifted to 1st, it would thunk into gear and then drive ok.
I am hoping another fluid change might reverse any problem I may have caused with the additive. Or maybe there is another unrelated problem.
If it needs a new tranny, I am not sure I am up for that.
But then what to do with the car?

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

Most of the SVXs that are no longer on the road ended up in a junk yard because of a blown transmission. Put in a 4:44 transmission from an old Outback and motor on.

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

I'm also the original owner of a 92 Pearlie. Unfortunately, that sounds eerily similar to how mine was a number of years ago. I had the transmission replaced twice - once at 62K and again at 67K. Luckily the second one was replaced under warranty from the first as the first reman tranny actually acted worse than the original. I also had both an auxiliary transmission filter and an auxiliary transmission cooler installed. That second replacement has lasted so far - a little over 100K miles on the vehicle now.

But I had high revs and clunking going into gear which, upon searching, is what led me to this site. Until then, I didn't know that 92 trannys were extremely prone to giving out.

Hopefully folks more knowledgeable than I will be able to help troubleshoot yours and I'm hoping it won't be another tranny replacement for you.

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

Thanks for commiserating.
I will post updates when I learn anything.

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

Please read attached data.

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

Thanks Trevor.
When they call I will ask that they measure the line pressure and report back.

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

Thanks Trevor!

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

Well, finally received word from the transmission shop that the only option is to rebuild the transmission. No factory reman units are available. I confirmed that with two dealers I buy parts from.
$4500 to rebuild with a one year warranty.
That is probably more then the car is worth even with a repaired transmission.
If there was someone nearby that would want to buy it for parts, I would probably do that, as everything else works.
I have some time to decide.

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

To swap in a good used 4EAT transmission and differential gears would probably cost you 1/4 of that amount.

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

Where would I get that?

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

And the saga continues. LOL

Bet you dime to a dollar they have not and did not diagnose the actual fault.

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

There are thousands of old Outbacks etc. with the correct tranny and diff gears for a swap.
There is hundreds of pages of reading on the subject on this forum.

https://www.car-part.com/

There's a bunch within a few hundred miles.

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

You are right.
They spent two weeks confirming they could get the parts they thought they would need "for sure" prior to opening it up. They say that since it will only move in reverse and when in the 1st gear position, they know they will need the main pump and clutches I think.

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

Trevor, I reread your link.
I could ask them again to check the line pressure to confirm a problem there, but in regard to solenoid a and the filter and debris, I am currently running a remanufactured svx transmission from Subaru installed in 2004, so shouldn't it have any updates in regard to a solenoid a filter? Is the solenoid a separately replaceable part?

Re: Slipping Transmission
 

Blacky,
Thanks for the link to the recyclers. I was not familiar with that site.
However, I did not realize you were talking about converting to another model's components. I would rather just stick to svx parts and when I look for used svx transmissions, there doesn't appear to be many good ones to choose from. I will ask my shop if they would even consider installing a used unit.