IdiotSavant

Hey guys, I own a 99 Legacy GT with about 100k km. For the last 30k km or so I've experienced a grinding/shrieking/creaking sound coming from the front end of the car. The sound only occurs when the car is in drive, at around 1600rpm. If I accelerate quickly past that point, the sound does not occur. If I keep it at 1600 rpm the sound is constant. I believe it might be the transmission but I just got it replaced about a year ago. The sound was present even before the replacement so I don't really know what to believe anymore. Any ideas before I head back to the shop? Thanks in advance.

mnwolftrack, thanks for sharing that. It puts my mind at ease a little about installing a used tranny. nipper, after reading that link, I agree that the TC is not the problem. I must not have explained the problem clearly to the gentleman on the phone. I used car-part.com but couldn't find any good deals within a reasonable distance. I'm in Canada so having it shipped from the US could cost me a lot in shipping and customs fees. The tranny shop I looked into is highly recommended by fellow car enthusiasts and they quoted me between $1000-$1500 but need to see the car in order to give a more accurate estimate. They also offer a replacement vehicule, whereas my Suby dealership does not. I called my Suby dealership to let them know I found a cheaper transmission elsewhere. All of a sudden, the labour went from 3-4 hours to install their transmission to 6-7 hours to install the one I found elsewhere. [insert profanity here] I didn't bother arguing with them about that as they are still in possession of my car. What a headache this has become. I appreciate all your input and suggestions.

I called a dozen scrap yards this morning. Only one had a used transmission for my car. $850, 111 000 km and 6 month warranty. I'm still weary about buying a transmission from a scrap yard though. The tranny shop I have the appointment with only rebuilds the transmissions, but from what I've read, they do great work.

I called a few tranny shops this morning and described the symptoms.. Some of them suggested that maybe my torque converter was shot. It appears that a rebuilding my tranny costs almost as much as replacing it. I'm considering going the rebuild route since it only has 90 000 km and I've taken care of my car very well. Who knows what the used replacement tranny went through. So I'm taking it in to a very reputable tranny shop at the end of the week and will report back on this thread. These car towing fees are killing me. Does it make sense that it could be a torque converter issue as well as the front pump? Anyone have any luck getting partial compensation from Subaru for something like this? I'm thinking of writing them a letter. What the heck, I have nothing to lose.

There is something else I just realized that I didn't mention earlier. When the car is cold, the Drive gear will engage. Once it warms up, it seems to let go. I first encountered this problem after a long drive (250 km). I stopped for gas and when I put the car back in Drive, it revved up to 2000 rpm before the gear engaged. The second occurence was during normal city driving after about 20 minutes. I was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, my car didn't want to advance. It just revved as if it were in neutral. So I was forced to have it towed home. I was still able to Reverse with no problem though. The day I had the car towed to the dealership, it started up fine and the drive gear engaged without hesitation. I had it towed regardless as I didn't want the transmission to crap out on me half way to the dealership. Does the fact that the Drive gear engages when the car is cold mean anything?

hey nipper, They are offering a 3 month/5000 km warranty on the tranny. It has a little over 100 000 km on it. I didn't ask, but I find it quite sketchy that they happen to have this particular tranny in stock. Then again, I'm the skeptical type. I feel as though they are going to do something menial, like change the tranny fluid and tell me the whole transmission was replaced. Too many negative past experiences with post-warranty dealership service. Heh!

I finally brought my car in to the dealership. Before even looking at the car, the service rep suggested that I need a new transmission. Apparently, Subaru introduced a new transmission for this car in 1999 and while they are generally reliable, failures can happen, even at a mere 90 000 km. I asked him to check the front pump and suggested that maybe replacing that would be sufficient. He said they don't have the equipment to take apart automatic transmissions but that I could take it to a transmission shop for a rebuild. The dealership happens to have a used replacement transmission in stock which will cost me $1000, plus labour. I told them not to do anything until I explore other options, and maybe hunt down a used transmission on my own. I think I might ask them to only change the tranny fluid, then bring my car to another Subaru dealership for a second opinion. Any suggestions?

I hope it's not kapoot and that it's just a simple fix. It does seem odd that this would happen at such low mileage. The fluid level is fine and it doesn't smell burnt. Would the burnt smell be apparent after the car is warmed up for a bit or would I smell it when it's cold too? I tried all the the forward gears and none of them engaged. The engine just revs as it if were in neutral. Headgaskets haven't gone yet thankfully. Though, I am anticipating that eventually. I love this car and hope to get it up and running again while there is still some snow to have fun in. Ouch. The seals themselves can't be replaced? I guess that would require a rebuild. Anyone have experiences with buying used transmissions on eBay? Any place that sells them online?

Hey guys, I've started to have issues with my automatic transmission in the ole 99 Legacy GT. The car only has 90 000 km and has been regularly serviced at the dealership for all scheduled maintenance. The drive gear does not engage anymore. Reverse works fine but none of the forward gears engage. I'm about to take it in to the dealership for a diagnosis but I was hoping to get other suggestions from some of the knowledgeable folks here. I've searched the forum and the general consensus is that I'll need a remanufactured transmission. Can it be just as simple as changing a part in the transmission? Between this and head gaskets, this car is becoming very costly to maintain. Thanks for your suggestions.