diff binding/ lsd additive - Page 3

SVXMAN2001 · #31 05-27-2013, 08:49 AM

I too am experiencing a binding issue/clunk from the rear on my 96 lsi. I plan to follow the directions as provided above, however how many quarts of ATF should I buy ahead of time, in addition to the additive, when I refill? Thanks

Huskymaniac · #32 05-28-2013, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVXMAN2001

I too am experiencing a binding issue/clunk from the rear on my 96 lsi. I plan to follow the directions as provided above, however how many quarts of ATF should I buy ahead of time, in addition to the additive, when I refill? Thanks

I think it really depends on how old the current fluid is. If it has less than 30K miles on it, just drain (~4qt) and then add the bottle of Lubegard and top off with fresh Subaru ATF. If it has 30-60K on it, you need to make the call between a drain and refill or as nearly complete of a drain as possible. If it has over 60K on it, I would think you would want to get as much of the old ATF out as possible then add the Lubegard and fill up with fresh Subaru ATF.

SVXMAN2001 · #33 05-28-2013, 06:07 PM

Real newbie question, I've done a lot of work on the SVX but have done very little on the transmission...

What's the correct way to drain and refill the transmission. I've done a transmission flush in the past and within a few thousand miles needed a new transmission! Is it simply a matter of draining, adding new fluid, then draining again even though I just added new fluid but now mixed with old? Continue this until the fluid appears to be coming out clean?

simboglide · #34 05-28-2013, 06:17 PM

Here's what i did to "cure" my torque bind........changed tranny filter and fluid.... by the time i got home from the shop (20 miles) it stopped.

Huskymaniac · #35 05-29-2013, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVXMAN2001

Real newbie question, I've done a lot of work on the SVX but have done very little on the transmission...

What's the correct way to drain and refill the transmission. I've done a transmission flush in the past and within a few thousand miles needed a new transmission! Is it simply a matter of draining, adding new fluid, then draining again even though I just added new fluid but now mixed with old? Continue this until the fluid appears to be coming out clean?

Same thing happened to me in the past. I was told that, if the fluid isn't changed regularly, it will begin to oxidize and break down. It will deposit a laquer type substance on the seals, valves and so on. The seals will then slowly dry out. At the same time, the valves may start to stick. Hence, the binding. If you flush with an ATF with harsh detergents, it will clean off the seals. The shrunken dried out seals will leak. If you do a flush, you can also damage the seals and create leaks. I don't fully understand why but that eventually causes the tranny to fail. If you add something to free up the valves, it has to also condition the seals. The Lubegard stuff does this. A very high quality ATF also can do this but, even if the tranny holds up, you will probably still have some leaks. The best results for cars with neglected ATF has been Subaru ATF with Lubegard. That's what I did for my old Outback and it worked out great. For the SVX, I have done a drain and refill with Redline ATF every 12K miles so, hopefully, it will stay running great.

SVXMAN2001 · #36 05-30-2013, 09:58 AM

Unfortunately I fall into the neglected category. Would you suggest I drain, add 4 qts, drain again and refill while adding lubegard.

Is the best way to measure fluid level while engine is running and transmission in neutral?

Huskymaniac · #37 05-30-2013, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVXMAN2001

Unfortunately I fall into the neglected category. Would you suggest I drain, add 4 qts, drain again and refill while adding lubegard.

Is the best way to measure fluid level while engine is running and transmission in neutral?

This seems to come up a lot. I recall there being some technique of pulling some ignition wires and turning the engine over to act as a pump to get most of the fluid out through the cooler line. I think the easiest thing would be to do multiple drains and refills. If you pull out the filter I think you get something like 60% of the fluid out. Put in a bottle of lubegard and top off with fresh Subaru atf. Drive for 3K miles. Do another standard drain. That will leave 60% in the tranny which is to say you will have only 24% old fluid left after the second refill. Add a half bottle of Lubegard and top off with fresh Subaru ATF. Repeat a tnird time after another 3K. After that you will only have about 15% of the olf fluid left in there.