AWD engagement

Rish · Post by **Rish** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 1:19 am

Hey Guys and Gals,
I own a 1991 BC sedan, N/A, auto, AWD. I've noticed that off the line, there's a significant amount of wheelspin before it hooks up (I'm assuming that's when power is transferred to the rear). Is this normal? Because I remember reading somewhere on here (can't find the post) that autos have a 50/50 torque split off the line. Also, when significant power is applied, I get a fair bit of torque-steer fed back through the wheel. This all seems to have increased as of late. It all very well could be in my head, but even my Dad (who hadn't driven the car in some time) commented that the it is hard to keep going in a straigt line, esp. under power.

Now I do have what sounds like a bad cv in the front. Could this be a cause?

Thanks

Rish

georryan · Post by **georryan** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 5:06 am

Check for bad wheel bearings as well. If you jack your wheels up, grab the top and bottom of the wheel and see if you can jiggle it. Do the same to the sides. If there is movement you may have a wheel bearing going out. I had a really, REALLY bad wheel bearing in the back of one of my cars and I'd really feel the wheel wobble or the back end shift its weight when you gave it gas.

scottzg · Post by **scottzg** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 5:19 am

are you on the snow or something? I can not get any wheelspin on dry gound, even if i dump the clutch from a high place (i never do this, and neither should you)
That is very wierd.

My first guess is that you have some wire snipped that controls your automatic awd. Almost like you have the fwd fuse in.

Rish · Post by **Rish** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 5:35 am

I'll check those wheelbearings, after 232kms it's quite possible that they're gone.

The wheelspin used to only occur on damp pavement, but the other day I ended up having to hammer on it because of a goof in an Explorer (long story) and I got a nice squeal from the front. I was pretty suprised, because I didn't know this thing had enough power to get rubber.

To check whether the AWD system is functioning, would putting it on a hoist and driving it answer my question?

Thanks a lot

Rish

PS: I'm auto so I don't have a clutch to dump; but honestly I realise my car has high mileage, and since I can't afford any major repairs right now, I try and take it easy.

georryan · Post by **georryan** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 5:37 am

Yeah I just read over his post again and had forgot about the wheel spin when I posted. That isn't normal man. Even with my snow tires on my car, which are very soft knobby things, I can't get wheel spin unless I'm in the snow. Maybe it has something to do with a faulty AWD and it also causes problems keeping it straight???? I'm just guessing here. But if your wheels are having a hard time getting power like they should maybe it would cause a problem. Kind of like when one wheel brakes harder than another one (your car will swerve in heavy braking).

Rish · Post by **Rish** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 5:48 am

It's quite possible that something is screwed up under there. I'm not very well versed on the matter, but I have a bad feeling that my diff is going. I currently also get a clicking noise under power when everything is cold, and figuring it was a cv joint, I checked under there last week. Didn't find any evidence of cracked boots or axel shaft play (am I making any sense?). I have to find my self a good Suby dealer around here and see if they'll do a diagnoses for me w/o having to promise a first born. The last one I went to, was not only expensive, but the staff were really stupid as well.

Oh Well

Rish.

georryan · Post by **georryan** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 6:19 am

Yeah I agree, you have to be careful who you go to. My brother took his car to a place and it was there for a week and they couldn't figure out why it wouldn't start. I told him to take it to a mechanic I knew who knew subarus and the guy had it diagnosed in 5 minutes; he had it running in under that as soon as he got the part. I'll PM you a number to the mechanic I'm talking about. A friend went there and described a problem to him and he knew what it was and what year and tranny style his car was without seeing it. He may not have the answer but he'll give you some good leads. The downside...it will be a long distance call for you.

Rish · Post by **Rish** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 6:26 am

Got it; thanks a lot. I'll definately keep it in mind.

Rish

georryan · Post by **georryan** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 6:27 am

No Problem.

-Ryan

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 10:48 pm

I bet your AWD isnt working. I just did a transmission swap in a 90 legacy for the same reason.

Rish · Post by **Rish** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 8:19 pm

I have a feeling that you're right Ciper (unfortunately though).

This however leaves me with a couple of questions; if I put the car on a hoist and drove it would that tell me if I'm getting power to all four wheels?

and

Why did you have to swap the tranny to solve this and not, say, the diff?

and

(ok three questions) I'm currently in no position to go spending money on this thing, so if I were to drive it as is would it be ok or is there a chance of locking something on the highway? How about doing it with the FWD fuse in?

Thanks for all your help and patience folks,

Rish

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 8:40 pm

Why would I swap the diff? Its easy to find working transmissions, who knows what would happen after removing the differential.

The easiest way I found to test the AWD is to just jack one side of the car up and put it in drive. Since you have open front and rear differentials both wheels should sping. If you can use the parking brake to stop the rear wheel (or the wheel doesnt spin at all) then you have found your issue.

Id personally stick the FWD fuse in. Why dont you want to spend money on it? Buy a legacy with blown HG for 250, use the transmission, then sell some parts on the bbs and get your money back before dropping it at a junkyard. You could come out even in the end.

Rish · Post by **Rish** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 6:30 am

Ok, ok, forget the diff part, I didn't think that one through. I'll try your test (Ciper) for the AWD when the weather lets up a little. As far as not spending money on it, I think you missread me. I like the car, and I will fix it, but I just started working so it may take a month or so. Legacys are few and far between here in Vancouver, and I have yet to come across a parts car or Subaru wreckers for that matter, which led to the question of wheter I could drive it as is or in FWD for an extended period of time.

Rish

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 6:37 am

I get wheel spin if i do a neutral drop or reverse drop(that works the best). Not that I do that, or think that it's in any way an intelligent thing to do.

Rish · Post by **Rish** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 6:46 am

Neutral drop eh? Sounds expensive. The sheer guilt of doing that to my car would kill me. Mind you, you're not the one with the broken car.

Rish

LaureltheQueen · Post by **LaureltheQueen** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 7:29 am

i give my car hugs and kisses daily. 208k miles on her too. had the tranny since 176 though. i fully intend to replace it within the next 5k miles

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AWD engagement

AWD engagement