97 question....?

[intellibomb]

hi everyone


i have a question....
did the tranny problems ever get resolved by subaru during production?
that is, have many of you folks out there with 97's had tranny problems?

i remember reading somewhere that the problems were resolved in 95 or something....

the reason i ask is because i am looking at an SVX i might buy, and the dealer offers a 100% warranty for a whole year (unluimited miles) on every part on the whole car. he wants another $900 for that on top of the car's price (which is steep anyways ...)...
the main concern that would drive me to purchase the deal is naturally the transmission... as the engine is bulletproof and it only has 80K on it...

So... thanks in advance
jj

[Earthworm]

$900 is fine knowing that if anything goes wrong they will fix it. Any 4EAT is subject to failure. Just keep it maintained and don't push it and it should last a long time.

[shelfy]

no problems whatsoever in my 97 4eat.

[intellibomb]

hmm

i feel like the 900 could be like "crazy driver insurance"... that is i could drive the sh!t out of the tranny and get it fixed... or fork it up real good and have it fail the day after the warranty expires
jk

thanks for the input

[wynndi]

Never a problem with my '96's transmission. 142,000 mi and counting!

[oab_au]

The problems that we all have read about, were related to the early, pre 94 models that were fitted with a type of clutch and band lining that flacked off the block the cooler, robbing the transmission gears of lubrication.

The later models did not have this problem. The only other problem stems from Subaru not telling anybody that there is an adjustment for the brake band. If it is not adjusted when there is a trace of flair when changing into 3rd gear, the band will eventually wear out. Adjusting it restores its action.

I have a 95 model, and don't expect any trouble.

Harvey.

[immortal_suby]

I often ponder just how many trannys would have been saved if the brake band adjustment would have been more well known. I wonder if my first tranny that went 3 years ago could have been saved. A few years ago our only known fix for the dreaded flare was to unplug the resistor behind the battery and start saving some money.

Harvey - you should get a medal for the knowledge you bring here - I am sure you have saved many a transmission already.

[svxthc]

You install a tranny cooler, how else do you prolong the life of the tranny? Whats the big mystery here?

"Brake-band adjustment" on a '96 or '97 ... not according to Subaru (they admit to that for the earlier years, but not the last couple).

Mine's a '96 with 111k, bought it a year ago with <98k. Had the fluid power-fushed to totally replace all the fluid & replaced the pan gasket. No worries yet.

Don't assume the engine is "bulletproof". No engine is. ... and if it's leaking anything, labor times are high (even for seemingly simple valve covers).

As for the "100% warranty" - read the fine print. I'd bet the warranty is not adminstered by the place you're buying the car from, but rather thru a different company, probably in a different state ... most offer huge headaches, lost of paperwork, and vague exclusions/conditions that can end up costing lots more headache & money (years ago, I had one even refuse to cover a brake system repair that was nesessary to drive the car, on the basis is was a "hydraulic" part - it was the electric motor that drove the hydraulics in the brake system - no motor=no brakes). Some are better then others, but read it very carefully before buying. Many places (repair shops/dealers) require you pay the repair bill, then submit it to your warranty company to have them reimburse you.

[JonathanS]

Intellibomb's question is very similar to my situation. I am about to finish the purchase of a 1996 SVX LSi AWD with 75,000 miles on it, and my credit union offers what seems like a good deal on an extended warranty, made better by the fact that I can finance it under the car loan. I had been working on the assumption that a transmission failure was more likely than not over the next three years. which made the extended warranty a no-brainer. But if the tranny problems were solved with the 1995 model year, then I am paying $1,500 for "insurance" against smaller problems, like wheel bearings and all.

I think it is still worth it -- especially since I am able to finance it and am buying a 9-year-old car -- but wondered what the experts think ...

Experts, your thoughts, please!

[ensteele]

First, let me welcome you to the site. Next, I would say that the extended warranty would probably give you more peace of mind. I have purchased them in the past, but never used one. If I didn't buy one, I probably would have needed it. One of the biggest factors is having the car serviced and how one drives.

[oab_au]

Originally Posted by immortal_suby

I often ponder just how many trannys would have been saved if the brake band adjustment would have been more well known. I wonder if my first tranny that went 3 years ago could have been saved. A few years ago our only known fix for the dreaded flare was to unplug the resistor behind the battery and start saving some money.

Harvey - you should get a medal for the knowledge you bring here - I am sure you have saved many a transmission already.

Yes Matt, they sure sold a lot of $3500 remade transmissions, instead of a $150 band adjustment. Its got to rest firmly with Subaru, that the trans got such a bad reputation. They should have recalled the early ones with the faulty linings, and included the band adjustment in the Servicing schedule.

I remember talking to Beav, asking him "don't they do band adjustments over there". Beav replied, "Bands, what bands these are electronic boxs does that tell you something? ". Telling me what they would rather replace, than fix.

The days of Motor Mechanics, diagnosing problems and fixing cars, have long gone, replaced by "Technicians" that follow the book, and can replace everything, till the problem, or your money, has gone .

Ranting, off.
Harvey.

[WGJ]

Amen, Brother!
WGJ

[intellibomb]

Originally Posted by oab_au

The problems that we all have read about, were related to the early, pre 94 models that were fitted with a type of clutch and band lining that flacked off the block the cooler, robbing the transmission gears of lubrication.

The later models did not have this problem. The only other problem stems from Subaru not telling anybody that there is an adjustment for the brake band. If it is not adjusted when there is a trace of flair when changing into 3rd gear, the band will eventually wear out. Adjusting it restores its action.

I have a 95 model, and don't expect any trouble.

Harvey.

Thanks harvey,
that pretty much answered my Q's
i knew i read that somewhere on these boards

As for the "100% warranty" - read the fine print. I'd bet the warranty is not adminstered by the place you're buying the car from, but rather thru a different company, probably in a different state ... most offer huge headaches, lost of paperwork, and vague exclusions/conditions that can end up costing lots more headache & money (years ago, I had one even refuse to cover a brake system repair that was nesessary to drive the car, on the basis is was a "hydraulic" part - it was the electric motor that drove the hydraulics in the brake system - no motor=no brakes). Some are better then others, but read it very carefully before buying. Many places (repair shops/dealers) require you pay the repair bill, then submit it to your warranty company to have them reimburse you.

hmm. this reason also made me skeptical about getting a warranty from joe shmo car lot. plus the lot is far away, so getting repairs would be expensive, not to mention any rapair (short of tranny/engine failure) is going to be less than 900$.
i'm going to take it to a subaru dealer in the area to have it looked at first, for sure.

but at 80K that the car had, i think i'll save that 900$ Shafting Fee and put it towards a full tuneup/fluid change/tidying up/tranny cooler rather than paying for a warranty that most likely will not even be necessary (that is, if i get it )

if i do decide to get 'er (probable ) i'll definitely keep her up and keep her fluids fresh and brake band properly adjusted to keep her going

PLUS any money spent repairing should be replacing worn parts with upgrades.

Thanks for the inputs!
jj

My specific experience was that I bought a Reatta in early 1997 from a small used car dealer in Philly, PA. I knew I wasn't going to be anywhere near there if something broke, so I opted for the warranty, that advertised it was good nationwide. While the company did pay for some things, it was always after much haggling, and only after going thru an extensive list of exclusions. Repairs were made & claims were submitted through a Buick dealer in NH and 2 or 3 in Phoenix, AZ - what a nightmare. At least they paid some, but once time missed from work for haggling was factored in, it ended up being a wash.