Big time question about the trans

[dckoone]

I read the thread about the transmission Whine and that let me know that there is a differential dip stick to check. I checked mine and it is dry and I have driven the car a lot like that.Now that brings me to my question. Can JUST the differential units be changed without changing the whole transmission out. The trans shifts fine so if I can salvage that it would be wonderful. Thanks for your help.

[green97gt]

the front diff can be changed independantly, but the trans must be removed to do so. and front diff is almost as expensive as a low mileage trans, depending on your model.

add some heavyweight lucas gear oil, and drive it until the diff shits out.

the dip stick is funny, ive seen guys destroy the front diff with a dry stick, and ive seen guys drive for a long time like that...
the diff case is alot deeper than the dipstick is and the ring gear constantly runs thru the fluid and picks it up.

first try adding fluid and see if the whine persists, or gets better, it will get alot worse before it is undrivable.

[dckoone]

Thank you so much. I put 1 and a half quarts of fluid in it this morning and the whine is still there so I think it is toast. I go to a. Local pull-a-part so the trans won't be that bad. Mine is a 98 legacy L auto with a 2.2. I am told I can only use a trans from a 97 or 98 what about the diff can I use other years

[green97gt]

yeah, no amount of fluid can fix missing metal, but it may be drivable with proper fluid with that whine for quite some time...or not...who knows.( just tell everyone its supercharger whine :smt005 )


i had thought that any trans from 95-99 would bolt up and work correctly. i may be wrong here, but someone will chime in with correct answers...

i do know tho if you have a legacy to make sure its from a legacy, not an outback as the gear ratios are differnt, unless you want to grab the rear diff while your there.
i know in the 00-04 model years legacies/outbacks were available with both 4.11 and 4.44 gears in either legacy/outback depending on trim level, etc.

but i believe in 95-99 legacies were legacy gears and outback were outback gears.


your local pull and pay has 95-99 legacies? man around here im high and dry.
if you happen to see the woodgrain center garnishes for around the center AC vents and radio, grab them for me, might make yourself a few bucks.

[massdrewski]

I stopped by my local salvage yard to grab my Tach for my Brighton. did not see a single woodgrian center bezel piece (for vents). and yes, I looked just for you Green!

I think Im going to contact some local subaru parts dept's and see about getting a write up on all of the Drive ratios. I talked to a friend of mine awhile ago to set up a Java script type deal where you type in the vehicle you have, and thus it will show you what will fit correctly....would be a lot of work and a lot of typing though....I have some time this winter so I will see what I can do.

[dckoone]

I haven't done any research on it but my thinking is that the electronics might be different for the 97-98 models. But I don't think the differential has any electronic parts in it. If I knew for sure I was just pull a tranny from a 96. But if the differential will work I will get one and change it. Thanks again for all the help you guys are great.

[massdrewski]

dck. where are you located

[dckoone]

sorry guess I should have put that too. I live in Forest City North Carolina USA. I have pull-a-part junk yards around me in Charlotte NC (1 hour) Columbia SC and Winston-Salem NC ( about 2 hours) and Knoxville Tn (about 3 hours) so I have a range I can find parts in. Again I thank you for all the help