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.

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

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, 201015 yr by edrach

DO all the tired match in brand and wear?

 

Otherwise the center diff/viscous couplimg is fried.

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

 

Doesn't happen all the time though.

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?