4th Gear grinding?

[gryffinwings]

I'm having issues with my 5MT on my 2001 Outback, well that's what my fiance is saying since I'm not home for another month. She says the 4th gear is grinding a bit at engage, not any other gears are having issues though, not to mention she says engagement takes longer than usual. Not sure of all the symtoms yet. The clutch and flywheel are fairly new, installed last year along with new fluid. Should I just get the 4th gear syncro changed or should I just go ahead and get a rebuild done on the tranny? The transmission itself has 170k miles on it or more since I drove it last.

How much am I looking at just changing the syncros? or doing the rebuild?

[Huffer]

I would drain the fluid and see if any metal chunks come out... it could be that or it could simply be a worn shifter bushing causing clashing that your wife hasn't adjusted to yet.

With that number of miles you need to work out if you're going to keep the car for at least another 2-5 years... if you are then buy a new transmission. If not then just drive it till it explodes or buy a used one.

Rebuilding is only good if you plan on upgrading or changing the gears.

[gryffinwings]

I am actually planning on eventually upgrading my gears, but not at the moment.

Since it looks like I'm going to be doing a rebuild, how much will that run me to get it done by a shop, and what parts does it intail, and if I wanted to, where could I get those parts?

[jey]

I got a quote from a very good Subaru specialist in the area who would drop/install the tranny for $350. Machinist work for removing/installing gears once the tranny is out is another $200. STi RA gearset is your best bet for upgrading gears, usually runs $1600 (One source is Teague's Auto - http://64.71.53.59/transmis.htm#Transmission%20and%20Gears). If it's just the 4th gear synchro that needs replacing, you can just get what you need instead of an entire expensive gearset.

[decke48]

the problem with drain and checking for metal is the sycros are bronze and not magnetic. so you cant really tell. a friend had a 5 gear sycro put on and it cost around $150+parts. but that him taking out the tranny himself

[gryffinwings]

It's sounding more and more like I should just get the RA gear set. But I've been also reading about the LGT gearset, does anybody have any info on that? Where I can get it extra parts needed?