98 Legacy GT bind....5 speed.

[papalobster]

I'm doing some searching and reading but figured the fastest way is to ask out right. I have a 98 Legacy GT EJ25 5-speed trans. I get binding on occasion. Primarily, clutch pushed in, coasting to a stop after backing up with the wheels turned ie backing from my driveway into the street. Being a stick, I don't have the FWD fuse option. So the couple questions I have are 1 is this a clutch pack system or viscous coupling? And 2 what type of oil is the preferred oil?

 

I have the car on a lift for the head gasket replacement, and wish to change the oil before hitting the road again and add anyadditives required to extend the life of the diff.

[idosubaru]

check tire wear, pressure, and diameter, it needs to all be right.

 

center diff is a viscous type and it's a sealed diff so changing the fluid does nothing for the center diff, only the trans. but changing trans fluid is a good thing.

 

being a sealed unit the center diff has to be replaced if it's failing....or run it in 2WD by removing axles/driveshafts once it's completely hosed

[edrach]

As GG said, make sure all the tires are the same size and equally worn.

 

If it's the center diff, start looking for a good used one; a new one runs around $575 from the dealer. Okay to run it for a while that way; I ran mine for about 4 months looking for a used one. It finally got bad enough to buy a new center diff and replaced it.

Edited July 14, 2010 by edrach

[nipper]

DO all the tired match in brand and wear?

 

Otherwise the center diff/viscous couplimg is fried.

[papalobster]

Yes, all tires match on both summer and winter wheels. Treadwear is even.

 

Doesn't happen all the time though.

[nipper]

Yes, all tires match on both summer and winter wheels. Treadwear is even.

 

Doesn't happen all the time though.

 

Does it happen after a drive of a few miles or highway as opposed to just quick jaunts around town?