New subaru, have a tranny fluid change question.

[chris_2.5gt]

Hi guys, I'm new here and just got a nice 1997 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT, and I have been having what I beleive (after researching) is torque bind. I heard a tranny fluid change with lubegard will fix it (potentially).
It is an automatic by the way.
Here's my questions:
1. I need to drain the tranny and the center diff right?
2. Do they fill with the same fluid and where do I fill from?
3. Do I put the lubegard in the tranny or in the center diff or both?
Thanks,
Chris

[nipper]

Lest start with step one, how many miles on this car.

Step two, do all the tires match (same size brand and wear), they must all match.

Step three, does your ATF light flash on startup?

Is the FWD light on on the dash.

Under the hood on the pass side by firewall is a fuse holder marked FWD. This disables the AWD for things like flats amd testing. Throw a fuse in there and let us know if the TB goes away (this isnt a fix just a data point).

To flush the tranny is three drain and fills of 3-4 qts of fluid. I just buy a case. Drain, fill, start, go through all the gears, shut off the car and repeat.
Automtaics do not have a center diff, they have a clutch pack that uses the tranny fluid to control the AWD.

SKip the additive for now, as that will just fog our diagnoses.

get yourself a haynes manual, they come in handy :). The tranny dipstick is on the drivers side by the firewall painted yellow.

nipper

[chris_2.5gt]

There is 190,000 KM's so approximately 118000 miles.
all tires match, rear tires have slightly more wear.
No ATF light or FWD light, no lights at all actually.
Tried the fwd fuse problem does go away.

ok so you said to drain the tranny there are three drain bolts?
you also said that it needs 3-4 qts? Do I fill 3-4 qts in through the dipstick?
Thanks a lot for you help.
Chris

[chris_2.5gt]

I also read in the service manual that it needs 20 pts of fluid, according to my conversion that is about 10 qts? I owned a manual previously so that seems like a lot to me, is the correct numbers? I just re-read your post and I think I understand, it takes 3-4 qts and that I need to drain the tranny 3 times to fully flush? I already bought the lubegard so could I add that it in after the flush?
Thanks,
Chris

[nipper]

I also read in the service manual that it needs 20 pts of fluid, according to my conversion that is about 10 qts? I owned a manual previously so that seems like a lot to me, is the correct numbers? I just re-read your post and I think I understand, it takes 3-4 qts and that I need to drain the tranny 3 times to fully flush? I already bought the lubegard so could I add that it in after the flush?
Thanks,
Chris


You will never get a perfect drain and fill, so use a case, it just works out.

No to the additive. I didnt say not to use it, but how can we figure out what is wrong with the car if you use snakeoil to hide the symptons. I am an automotive engineer. You only change one thing at a time when trying to diagnose a car problem, otherwise you never know if you truly fixed it.

Change the fluid.
Check for TB.
Let us know about things I asked


Then we can talk about the additive. Andusually Lucas LSD additive is used, i have never heard of the stuff you have.

[Huffer]

+1 on the change one thing at a time.

However, as a devils advocate in this situation, I have successfully used (in tandem) Lubegard ATF Protectant in three Subaru's with 4EAT's experiencing torque bind.

In two of the three occasions I drained the fluid, refilled, drained and refilled - and the problem remained. Added Lubegard ATF Protectant 100miles later and within 30miles the problem was gone. Vehicle 1 had 130k, Vehicle 2 had 60k, Vehicle 3 had 160k - with almost 60k being generated with torque bind.

I should also say that all three vehicles have gone on to MUCH higher mileages, without the problem resurfacing.

[nipper]

+1 on the change one thing at a time.

However, as a devils advocate in this situation, I have successfully used (in tandem) Lubegard ATF Protectant in three Subaru's with 4EAT's experiencing torque bind.

In two of the three occasions I drained the fluid, refilled, drained and refilled - and the problem remained. Added Lubegard ATF Protectant 100miles later and within 30miles the problem was gone. Vehicle 1 had 130k, Vehicle 2 had 60k, Vehicle 3 had 160k - with almost 60k being generated with torque bind.

I should also say that all three vehicles have gone on to MUCH higher mileages, without the problem resurfacing.


Ok just i have never heard of the lubriguard. But thanks on the one thing at time. Cant know what will fixed till to know what was broken :)

[Huffer]

it's LUBEGARD. Not "lubriguard". :)

Here ya go:
http://www.lubegard.com/C-112/LUBEGARD+ ... Protectant (http://www.lubegard.com/C-112/LUBEGARD+Automatic+Transmission+Fluid+Protectant)

[chris_2.5gt]

Ok I am going to drain and re-fill the tranny tomorrow. Just to make sure I understand; to drain I just need to undo the drain bolt for the tranny there is not a second drain somewhere near the rear of the car, I was under the impression it was the center diff, but perhaps it is the rear diff? I read somewhere on this forum that their are two sections that on the automatic tranny do not share fluid?
I'm not new with cars, I swapped the tranny on my last car, however it was fwd and standard, so this is new to me.
LEGACY'S ROCK by the way! :grin:
Chris

[nipper]

One more time, you do NOT have a center diff. Automatics do not have them.

Manuals have center diffs.

You have a front and a rear diff. In the automatic the front diff and transmission DO NOT share fluid. Just remove the drain bolt in the transmission pan.

[chris_2.5gt]

I understand there is no center diff but what I am asking is since I am changing the tranny fluid should I be changing the fluid in the diffs since they do not share fluid? On my previous car the tranny shared fluid with the diff so I didn't have to worry about it.
Thanks,
Chris

[Huffer]

You might as well change the front and rear diff fluids at the same time. FWIW, the fill tubes for the front diff and tranny are TINY. You will need a small pipe or very small end on the funnel to fit.

Rear diff is easy, just messy and smelly.

[jey]

Just go to the auto parts store and pick up one of these hand pumps for $2 and it'll make the fill job a lot easier:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/11/611170_PumpHand_p001_m-1.jpg

[chris_2.5gt]

Do the diffs take the same fluid as the tranny: Dexron III?
And should I add lubegard to the diffs as well?
Chris

[Huffer]

Do the diffs take the same fluid as the tranny: Dexron III?
And should I add lubegard to the diffs as well?
Chris

No. Differentials take GEAR oil, not ATF. Lubegard makes many products, but you should only use them for the specific application.

Do you have an owners manual in the car by any chance? It will tell you what grades of fluids to use.