2 Trannys in 2 Months WTF?!
 

Ok here's my dilemma. Back in Nov. My tranny went out. I got on the freeway accelerated to around 65 or 70...wasn't speeding or driving crazy just cruising along. I was daydreaming and got behind a slow car for a while then I went to lightly hit the gas and get around it when my RPMs skyrocketed and my speedometer said I was going like 30. I limped the car home because even though ti did this everytime I hit the gas I couldn't hear any slipping or grinding noises till I got off the freeway right by my house. I had it towed the next day and my mechanic said it was so torn up it could not be rebuilt. Well I happen to own 2 96 LSi's I am in San Diego and my other SVX is in Tennessee. So after 2 monthes my dad finally mails me my other tranny which has around 140,000 miles on it. My tranny that died had 113,000 miles on it. So I had the other tranny rebuilt anyways because it was older and sure eniugh the mech said the clutch in my other tranny was burnt up. He put a soft kit on it and 2 weeks ago I finally get my car back. Lat night though my tranny went out again in the exact same way...on the freeway cruising and suddenly RPMs go nuts and it says I'm only doing 20 mph. This time however when I was trying to get to the shoulder of the road everytime I hit the gas my steering wheel would pull really hard to the left. I thought it was a flat, but my tires were fine. I thought it was wierd this happened the same time my tranny went out and wonder what it is and what could cause it. Also I was reading another thread about tranny problems and the guy was talking about his tps senser. Do these have an effect on the tranny cause mine has been bad for a few monthes now, but has appeared to have no effect on the operation of my car. Well I am lost and pissed off so any helpful info will be greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!
~Amanda

Greetings Amanda,

You have reported a number of issues providing a number possibilities. One thing which is indicated is that you have not received honest appraisals in the past.

The latest episode involving the steering pulling hard to one side would indicate a front differential or CV joint problem. Reliable advice from someone able to do an on the spot examination is what you require, All else can only be speculation.

In this respect someone here may be able to point you towards someone of good reputation.

Welcome to the site. Mabe some of the other members from your area can help with who to have it looked at that can be trusted. :)

Amanda,
Are you running matched tires?
As mis matched tires will destroy an AWD tranny in short order.

Also, have you had a tranny cooler installed?
The stock one could be clogged, which would explain the second tranny dieing so quickly...

These are just some guesses....

Hey, to be honest, it sounds like differential failure... BUT it could also be a bad axle on the right side. I would bring it to a Subaru dealer and suggest they take a look at the axles before you assume the worst. I have a rebuilt trans on Ebay right now and if need be I can freight it

Tom

Thanks guys...as for the tires they are all the same size, brand wear and everything. Tread wear is even too. My rebuilt tranny is under warranty so when the shop opens today I am going to call the mechanic and have it towed back over there. I'm not sure where to go from there

Also I do still have the stock tranny cooler in it. I knew there were problems with them, but my car is a 96 and I heard that by that year they had fixed the problem?!

An aftermarket tranny cooler is a good ideal on any Subaru....but the early SVX's did have more trouble with them.

Did you replace the torque converter onn this tranny? That was one of the probs with my first tranny and I'm pretty sure its out on this onew too, but I won't know for sure till the mech tears it down and lets me know whats up

The front differential is an 'open' diff. A broken axle would not cause the car to veer to one side, rather all the power would go to the broken axle and none to the 'good' side. The car would go nowhere, unless it's AWD and the power to the rear diff moved the car.

Power to one wheel comes either from a locked brake (probably not applicable in this case - RPM flare) or a ruined differential, where one side is locked and power is still able to drive the other side.

Hmm...my SVX is AWD. Anyways I won't be finding anything out today. Its already 4pm here. Monday's are always so busy at my job I didn't even take lunch today. Anyways I'll be towing my car tot he mech tomorrow morning and hopefully by tomorrow evening or the next day I will have an idea whats going on. Nobody in my area knows much about working on SVXs not even the dealerships so I'll keep everyone posted and if anything sounds fishy let me know.

yes the TC was rebuilt the same time the trans was

Tom

Thanks Tom I'll let you know if I need it

Great news guys!!! I got my car back yesterday. Both front axles went out, but the tranny is just fine. I ended up spending just under $200 so I'm pretty happy right now :p

Both??
 

It would be very very strange for BOTH axles to go out at the same time. I am still not sure you are getting good advice or correct information.

Lee