AWD not working 93 legacy

[brendonsait]

Hey everyone, I'm new to these forums, but i've always found my best information forums for anything. I sought these out in hopes of finding a solution.


I've almost bought a 93 legacy AWD turbo sedan, automatic trans. 270k on it. now, there's one problem.

from what i've been told by the owner (my girlfriends father - very trustworthy guy - wouldn't sell me a lemon)

there's a problem with the AWD, there's a part near the rear end of the car (he doen't know much about cars, so this is as detailed as I could get out of him), that's broken, essentially turning the car into a front wheel drive. However, once in awhile, if he stomps on it off the line, he'll feel/hear a clunk, and the rear wheels are powered all of a sudden.

any ideas on what it could be? what it might be worth to fix (please let me know if you're using US$ or CAD$), etc.

Thanks everyone.

[Manarius]

Clutch packs are probably burned up.

[brendonsait]

clutch pack? Sorry if this is stupid, but it's an automatic transmission. I won't be using this as a rally/drift/race car, just a daily driver.

I don't really know much about awd system in general, so as far as I know there very well could be a clutch pack, but it sounds off.

explanation?

thanks.

[professor]

heres a brief explanation

http://www.autoworld.com/news/Subaru/Su ... -Wheel.htm

[brendonsait]

ok. so here's how i understand it:

My automatic tranny has a 'special' clutch in it, designed to send more or less power to the rear wheels, depending on driving conditions.

so my awd isn't a straight 25% torque to each wheel, but rather 45, 45 (fronts) and 5/5 (rear)

so chances are, this special clutch pack is burnt up, just like any normal clutch from a standard tranny burns out over time.

sound about right?

(oh, and great article by the way, thanks a lot)

[Manarius]

Umm..it's more like 50 front, 50 back in extreme conditions. But yes, in effect, they could be burned up.

[brendonsait]

i see...

thanks alot for the help both of you!

either of you know roughly how much it'll cost to replace them? is it a do-it-yourselfer type job, or keep it stricktly professional?

thanks again guys

[legacy92ej22t]

It's not full time 50/50. The only time the car will be 50/50 at all times is when the duty-C solenoid burns up, causing the "binding" everyone is always talking about with their automatics.

Brendon has it right, it's 90/10 during normal conditions and then power transfers as needed from there.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[91White-T]

Both the auto. legacys I've had, had this same problem. There really is no cure(I'm talking two rebuilds on one trans. and it still did it.)

[wiscon_mark]

5MT is 50/50
4EAT is 90/10 under normal driving.
The system will adjust power if there is slipping (auto only)