4eat/AWD - What'd I kill?

[voodoochylde]

Well, I think it's dead. 1990 Legacy L AWD w/196K miles. I got her stuck bad in some mud last week and after rocking back and forth from D to R for a few mins, had to be pulled out by a chevy pickup. Since then, the tranny's been slipping occasionally and will buck when holding a steady, low speed (like 25MPH). Figured, fine. Tranny's going, I'll get a new one when I get my income tax refund and that'll be that. Honestly thought it'd last me 'till then but...drive to college today (93 miles each way) and stopped at a red light. Got on the gas a bit harder than I meant to and...OMG wheelspin. Horrible wheelspin at just the front tires. The rear kicked in after a few seconds. Did that twice more and now the front tires spin like mad with no rear motivation if I get on it too hard.

Guess I killed my AWD. Dunno how I broke it. Dunno what I broke...but it's not functional as far as I can tell.

Car still runs and shifts. Still slipping a tiny bit but hasn't bucked on me today. Hopefully it'll last a while longer and we won't get much snow. GRRRRR.

What did I toast? How can I replace it? Would anyone be able to help me get replacement parts.

I'd like to upgrade to an SS 4eat and LSD rear diff but would that be all I need? If that is all...please someone sell me one! I love this car and can't afford to get another right now. I should get between 800 and 1000 dollars back from my income tax. I pray that'll be enough since I'm only able to work 2 days a week now with school back in session.

Help me, legacycentral. You're my only hope!

[Legacy777]

You probably toasted the rear clutch packs.

I'd highly recommend replacing the fluid...you may have dislodged or burned clutch material off, and changing the fluid immediately will help prolong the life of the transmission until you can fix it.

You may also want to put a fuse in the FWD fuse holder in the mean time.

[voodoochylde]

Legacy777, thanks for the reply.

I just changed the ATF last week but I reckon as soon as I get a non-snowy spot in the driveway, I'll change it again.

How long/far could I drive it with a fuse in the FWD holder in the engine bay? This is my ONLY source of transportation and I have a 93mile each way commute to school 5 days a week. I simply have no alternative.

Another question - what is the final drive ratio of this vehicle? 4.11? 4.44? 3.90?

Again I'll ask...anyone have a tranny/diff they'd let go to a desperate, broke college student for a fair price?

[voodoochylde]

Anyone know how expensive clutch pack replacements are and where to get them? I found a site http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merch ... X-ELclutch that sells individual friction discs. Any idea on how to use these? How many are needed/what's involved in this?

[Legacy777]

How long you can run with a fuse in there is a debated question.....some have run with it for extended periods of time....personally, if you run a constant 12v to a solenoid designed for a duty signal, you're going to have a more rapid descrease in its life. However if you're going in to replace the clutch packs, I'd almost recommend replacing the duty c solenoid....so running the fuse for a while is mute point.

[voodoochylde]

Thanks again for the suggestion. Any idea on a price and part number for any of these parts? I would rather replace the duty c solenoid while it's all torn down than have to go back in later.

Any clue one whether the friction plates I linked to are the correct ones for my tranny? I need six of them, right?

Thanks again.

[Legacy777]

I don't know the part # for the duty c solenoid off the top of my head, but could get it if someone doesn't have it.

You can use this to find out the price
https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/oe_parts_cat.html

Don't really know about the friction plates....

[voodoochylde]

Alrighty, thanks a bunch! I'm currently trying to sniff out the part number though I think I read somewhere that subarugenuineparts no longer carries the tranny parts. All I can find by clicking through categories is the auto transaxle as a whole (3 grand! Yikes!).

If anyone else out there has a clue on the part numbers for the duty-c solenoid and the friction plates, I'd much appreciate the passing on of your knowledge!

[Legacy777]

Shoot me an email to remind me to get you the numbers. I'll remember that way when I'm at home and have access to the parts book.

[voodoochylde]

YHPM. Thank you