vtwinjunkie

So I flushed the trans and added limited slip additive to it. no more bind! Perhaps it wasnt very bad to begin with...not sure but its driving great now. A question about the fwd switch....This is something I would be interested in doing....kinda for fun but also to see if it would save gas! Got a link to the mod?

All 4 tires are new when I picked it up. Not sure if anything was swapped but highly doubtful since previous owners had it for 10+ years and never mentioned it (they are very trustworthy so I feel like they would remember that). I actually did the trans drain and fill and added limited slip additive to it and it completely went away after 20 or so miles!!!

Welp. I put it in neutral and coasted lock to lock with the wheels and it was smooth as butter. Looks like I may have the torque bind. What are my options now? can I keep driving it like this?

This is exactly the piece I was thinking of thanks!! I am going to check this early next week after work one night! Great diagram I thank you.

oh this is a great idea. Never thought about coasting in neutral and turning the wheel all the way to experience it. Thanks

Thanks, outback and legacy are both 2005 , both auto 4 spd, and both 2.5i so I just assumed they were the same trans. That is great advice, thank you. I have tried all movements you have described. it definitely feels more steering related rather than being held back. no noises (at least relating to this that I can tell). It does have a noise going over bumps which I think could also be strut related (maybe the top hats) but Ill get to that after the steering issue. The issue only happens at just shy of full lock and clears up soon after on each side. I diddnt actually take off the cv boots to inspect them off the vehicle (turning in all directions and all angles to check for binding). I guess I will do that as well once I pull the struts next week to inspect the assembly (Car had strut work done before I bought it).

Yes but would this affect both sides? It has new struts, noticed this after purchase. I would hope they diddnt put them back together with bad bearing(s) but I guess anythings possible .

I may replace both with an extra set I have...I have a few that I need to re-boot. either that or i'm thinking power steering causing the bind some how...

I thought more about this. I cant seem to distinguish it though....I tried to lube up the steering column real well and it didn't change a thing. The more I drive it and try to diagnose......Im wondering if a bent tie rod would cause it? It seems to bring the idle down when it catches...I am wondering if it is an issue with the power steering rack...

Problem isn't side dependent. It also doesn't seem to change wether the car is warmed up or not. Definitely has me scratching my head!

Checked the steering universal joint and all is well.

This 100%. My 2005 outback has 120k miles on the clock. Purchased with 97k miles 3 years ago it has been reliable and trouble free aside from general maintenance. The head gaskets are seeping ever so slightly but no oil ever makes it to the ground and it doesn't burn a drop (that I can notice) My 2005 legacy has 170k on the clock. Purchased a few weeks ago and the underside of the engine looks the same as my outback hahaha. I haven't had it long enough to monitor the leak yet but it seems to be doing ok as well. I may do the head gaskets on one and not the other and just see how long it goes with constant monitoring but monitoring seems to be the key. As long as the engine has the oil it needs to lubricate itself it will just keep going (along with fuel compression and spark)...

Wow this is some really great info so far thanks all. I will get all this checked out

This is a good point. I wasnt actually able to distinguish but I will try that this evening. Thank you

Thanks Tom, It isnt making noise but Ill have a look to see if one has run dry. I have been under the car once (recent purchase) but diddnt notice any grease spun out of either side. Ill have a second look. If not I guess I will have to remove them one by one and visually inspect.

Hey all, I have read many things here about the duty c etc but... I really don't think that is the case here. I have a 2005 legacy that at slow speeds (turning into a parking lot) it seems to have a brief moment of tight steering (I hate to use the word bind because it feels less than a bind). To test more I have gone into a parking lot and turn the wheels full lock, it will go in a circle just fine idling and when I let off the steering wheel it straightens out just fine. I notice it mostly when backing out of the driveway or making a tight turn into a parking space. It just seems tight during a small segment of the turn. I was thinking maybe a suspension issue (I did notice the struts were replaced) perhaps binding there? Im having trouble describing it but I know there is something going on because my 2005 outback is smooth as butter no matter how I steer it at all speeds idle through cruising. I am going to tear into it in the next few weeks after holiday to try to figure it out but I wanted to check in with some of you all first to hear some opinion/experience. Thanks all

I have heard of people changing the outback struts with forester struts for a slight increase in height. My outback is a bit mushy on the road and found a Forester parts car with good struts that I may be able to get a good deal on. Anyone know if the loaded struts with springs will just bolt right up to my outback?

Does it actually work? Sheesh. I need a new ac in my house. Should I crowd fund? Edited to sound less dickish.

is this a joke?

wait why is it going to the scrapyard if it runs and drives?!

So what are you going to switch to now? I may need to buy a kit soon so I was wondering.

Thanks it appears that I misunderstood you... You are saying with the stock gaskets, it will fail after 40k but with the STI gaskets mentioned (642/770) it will most likely never fail again. I thought you said that no matter what it would fail after 40k. so you can see my point in wondering why bother.

Head gasket failure every 40k miles? am I reading this correctly? If so why not just keep driving it even if its seeping a bit, until it gets to a point that they absolutely need to be done (When the oil put in between oil changes exceeds 4 qts or so) I have been driving my 2005 outback 2.5i (Slightly seeping but original head gaskets) with 125k miles on it and I just keep an eye on it... Just picked up another 2005 legacy 2.5i with 175k (still tracking down exact location of leaks but none of which actually drip to the ground) and Im pretty sure that it has original head gaskets on it as well.

I think mine is leaking on a car I just bought used. 2005 legacy with175k miles. I plan to dig in to see for sure in the next few weeks. Can this rtv goo be replaced without removing the heads? I wasnt sure how the little plug covers were held in place..... Mine too has a small head gasket leak, but I am willing to bet most of my leakage is from that cam seal. (which still isnt that bad because the oil never makes it to the ground in the form of a puddle.

Thanks Tom, I havent ever heard of them going bad either, My car is also stock ride height so Its not like there is crazy wear on the joint either. Its super odd! Hoping for the best with the SKP as well, they have a 12 month warranty at least! At least its not too hard to get in and out.