Clutch or Tranny Going?
 

Well, last June I posted this:
http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...ht=SVX_MY_BABY

I thought I had my problem licked. The car shuddered while backing up and on hard turns but I put this down to the all wheel drive clutches sticking due to lack of use.

I've been driving it much more regularly now and it now shudders and feels like something is slipping when I accelerate to pass or am just a little heavy footed. It's getting worse.

I am wondering if I damaged something inside the transmission when the engine was over revving then slamming into gear when the axle caught. I only drove a couple miles to the shop after the incident.

Any opinions about where to start looking appreciated.

Re: Clutch or Tranny Going?
 

Ok, so your symptoms are shuddering (AWD issue) and slipping (clutch issue).

Which gears does it slip in? The high-clutch is responsible for 3rd & 4th gears and, in my case, was what failed. How does the fluid look, smell, (taste?). Is the correct amount of fluid in the tranny?

Re: Clutch or Tranny Going?
 

Put the Front wheel Drive fuse in and the car purrs along as if nothing is wrong.

The fluid is just about equal to the top hole in the dipstick. It is a cherry red, not bright but not dark either. It has a bit of an earthy smell but not burnt.

If you're familiar with the binding sensation of the clutches that can be cured by doing figure 8's that is the exact feeling I have when in reverse either straight or turning. More pronounced while turning. Same is true with low speed forward hard turns.

The new development is the same sensation under harder acceleration either from stop or at speed regardless of turning or going straight. It doesn't seem to be gear related although I can't say for certain if second is involved. It happens while on the highway if accelerating before it kicks down a gear and is more pronounced when it does kick down. This is why I think something may be slipping.

Re: Clutch or Tranny Going?
 

Since it doesnt happen in the front of the car that would lead you to the back?

Re: Clutch or Tranny Going?
 

Decided to pull the transmission codes if there were any. Thought I did that with the engine codes, but hey I'm a bit slow sometimes.

There were no existing problems but there were TCU code 32 and 33 Vehicle speed sensors 1 and 2 with the test for previous problems.

Given that the front axle fell out of the differential would that be what caused the speed sensor trouble codes? I don't know what the symptoms would be for them.

Re: Clutch or Tranny Going?
 

Giday Mate, I have looked at what has happened before with the axle, and I think it is related to that. I think it has damanged the 3/4 oneway clutch when the axle engaged again suddenley. The spragues in the clutch, may have gone over center to slip when it should grip and bind when it should slip.

You could try testing it with the gear lever in 2nd or 3rd to see if the same slipping/binding action is there, as the over run clutch takes the load off the 3/4 freewheel in this position.

Harvey.

Re: Clutch or Tranny Going?
 

I haven't the foggiest idea what a sprague is. But I did try various accelerations with the gear selector is all it's locations. The resultant sensation is the same in each setting.

Would I be safe in assuming that what ever this is is going to require dropping the transmission and having a look?

If it is the clutches that you suspect would it just slowly get worse or could it lead to a sudden failure?

Re: Clutch or Tranny Going?
 

Sorry about the technicalities, but they are in the trans to allow it to free wheel when it changes gear. I bit like the free wheel on a push bike.
There could be a few other things that could have been damaged when the axle slipped then griped, but they are also in the main section of the transmission.
It may be best to get a transmission specialist to drive it, see if they can pinpoint the cause.
As far as it "slowly getting worst,or a sudden failure", you can be sure it won't get any better.:(

Harvey.