legacycentral bbs

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.

Clutch packs are probably burned up.

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.

heres a brief explanation

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

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)

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

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

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.

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.)

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