natjeff Posted November 22, 2003 Share Posted November 22, 2003 My '97 Outback Sport was diagnosed by the local dealership as needing to have the clutch packs and solenoid, in AWD system, replaced. Wondering what a fair price would be for this repair in Maryland? Any advise is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strakes Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 I don't know the fair repair prices in your area...I used to live up near there over 10 years ago, and I'm sure things have changed. However, I'm sure you could go around and get some estimates on your repair and get a better price than the dealer. Try this site to find Subaru repair shops in your area and maybe you can get a quality repair and a fair price: http://cartalk.cars.com/About/Garage/intro.html This site is the Car Talk guys that are on NPR every week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alias20035 Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 There is a total rebuild kit from Subaru that updates your transmission tailshaft with a steel liner which will likely prevent this problem from every occuring again. It should cost anywhere from $750 to $1000 installed. See this link for more information. It is not actually a big or difficult job, as the tailshaft of the transmission just has to come off, not the whole transmission. You could just have a sticky clutch pack, did the dealer try doing several dozen tight turns to free up the clutch pack, or is there a Check Engine Light indicating a problem with the solenoid? The torque bind problem plagues all pre-1998 Subaru's usually starting to affect them at about 100,000 miles or so. I am assuming that the dealer also checked tires to insure that they are all the same size (within 1/4 inch of each other IN CIRCUMFERENCE according to Subaru), and other possible causes such as driveshaft hanger bearing and U joints.... The Car Talk Guys boards are full of misinformation about Subaru's so I don't recommend it. For example they indicate that a ticking noise in cold weather on a 98 Outback is related to defective hydraulic valve lifts, but from 97 onward all Subaru's are SOLID valve lifters (the ticking is most likely piston slap). I have seen many misdiagnoses by these guys relating to Subaru specific problems such as torque bind and wheel bearings (where the problem seemed to be a wheel bearing but they pointed elsewhere). All they see are generally incomplete descriptions from the car owners, and have to make a judgement call and do not know all vehicles inside out, so I can't really fault them, I just don't recommend them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natjeff Posted November 24, 2003 Author Share Posted November 24, 2003 Thanks for the advice! Dealership did not perform any of the tests you spoke about or look for anything else which might be causing the problem. They simply test drove it and made the diagnosis based upon a clutch pack replacement they had recently performed for another car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meep Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 I have had good service from Paul Bros subaru in Reston. Prices were normal, in the bell curve, but they did good work. no complaints. mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intrigueing Posted November 25, 2003 Share Posted November 25, 2003 Tires often are the cause of torque bind - don't go by looks, I have heard of brand new tires being off enough to cause torque bind. Measure the tire circumference before even thinking about digging into the trans. http://www.endwrench.com/pdf/drivetrain/RearAxleBindingInfoF99.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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