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2001 Legacy Manual Transmission whining/grinding/noises...

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:50 am
by apriddy4
We recently purchased a 2001 Subaru Legacy GL Manual with nearly 60,000 miles on the odometer.
The car runs great, except for an issue with the transmission.

When taking off from 1st gear (or from reverse) you hear a whine/grinding noise and typically smell the clutch burning…but only if you launch ABOVE 1k rpms. When launching below 1k rpms, everything appears to be normal. The fluid levels are fine, and I haven't noticed any other issues.

Has anyone heard of this?

We just purchased the vehicle and really aren’t looking forward to dropping more cash into it.

Thanks for any help!

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 3:13 am
by Legacy777
Welcome to the board.

It could be anything really. Does the whine/grinding match engine speed?

Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:14 am
by apriddy4
Legacy777 wrote:Welcome to the board.

It could be anything really. Does the whine/grinding match engine speed?
No, it doesn't. I'll be taking it to a clutch shop this week.

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:50 am
by Airgne
i had the same issue with my 01 legacy, but mine had a front snout leak. my clutch bearing had gotten cocked on the snout. subaru tranny snouts are not one peice they are 2 hlfs put together. so over time they missaline with each other. this causes the clutch bearing to get cocked and then wear on the pressure plate causeing it to wear a groove on the teeth of the pressure plate. witch intales a werid grinding noise when starting out and going in reverse. i bought a new tranny for mine(because of the seal leak, also my rev gear was goin out). if i were you i would go and get a snout repair kit and a new clutch. the snout kit for your tranny, and the clutch just incase it hasd a groove worn in the pressue plate teeth.

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:11 am
by apriddy4
Airgne - thanks for the info! I'll be taking my vehicle to the "clutch shop" today and I'll be surprised if they don't diagnose the problem like you have. I just hope it's not an "arm and a leg!"

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 6:56 pm
by Legacy777
Airgne wrote:i had the same issue with my 01 legacy, but mine had a front snout leak. my clutch bearing had gotten cocked on the snout. subaru tranny snouts are not one peice they are 2 hlfs put together. so over time they missaline with each other. this causes the clutch bearing to get cocked and then we.......

These things are pretty handy to help solve that issue...

http://www.smart-service.com/store-tran ... e-kit.html

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:05 am
by Airgne
no problem man. hope you can get it fix for a good price. it pretty easy to do yourself.

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:54 am
by apriddy4
Thanks for the site.

When y'all (yes, I'm originally from Texas) say "it's easy to do yourself," how easy do you mean?

I've done typical "bolt-on" modifications to one of my previous cars (1998 Trans Am) and I don't really have all of the tools I usually have at my disposal currently.

Thanks.

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:43 pm
by Airgne
it took me with 1 freind and minimal tools 5hrs in and out. we had never done this on a subaru before. 4 jack stand a jack, and some basic tool ull be good.

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:55 pm
by Airgne
if you go over to sli-.net there is more infor on the newer legacies.

Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:41 pm
by apriddy4
Thanks again Airgne!

Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:23 pm
by apriddy4
The shop installed a new clutch and dual mass flywheel. Everything is working, so I'm happy. Hopefully it won't ever happen again!