Does anyone have tech manual with drawings of the EA81 4 spd DR tranny (81 GL wagon)? The splined shafts coming out of the tranny have a bit of play in them and is causing a vibration when the go pedal is used liberally!

 

Should there be any play in these shafts?

Is there a set of bearings I can replace or some adjustment?

 

Any help would be appreciated...gracias!

There shouldn't be any play, no. Although I have heard of this from other board members, and some have run this way for quite some time.... to fix it involves dissasembly of the tranny - LOTS of work, and special tools are required for that. No one on this board to my knowledge has actaully dissasembled a 4 speed D/R and successfully fixed anything inside. I would love to try sometime, but after reading a few of the manuals I have here, I doubt I ever will unless I can aquire some special tools, and more Subaru literature on the matter. My sugestion to you is if you are worried about it, is to replace the transmission with another 4 speed, or put in a 5 speed, which are plentiful still.....

 

GD

That kind of answers to my problem, leaking grease from around that output shaft. I'm getting a growling when coasting, so I'm figuring something is worn around there.

 

Boy, does it stink when the grease drips on the cat!!

Yeah - the seal I think can be pounded in from the outside..... but if your getting a growling noise then your front diff is on the way out - either the bearings or the gears....

 

GD

If you get ahold of an FSM, and the tools to set the ring gear backlash and the bearing preload, you could do it. The play indicates that the side bearings are going out.

 

you MIGHT be able to prolong it's life by tightening the preload adjusters (they surround the shaft, it's a toothed ring with a retainer...) turining each side in abotu 1/2 turn each until you feel it tighten, and then back off prolyl 1/8 to 1/4 turn (You don't want it too tight) it should take up some of the slack but I make no guarantees.

 

Manuals arent' that hard to rebuild, the hypoid differential makes it kinda difficult, cuz those bearings and the gears will last about 100 feet if not set up right :-)

 

 

Your best bet is to just find a JY transmission, as those 4 speeds are fairly easy to come by.

Thanks for the info....I'll start looking for a 5spd, if I can find one cheap enough. I don't have noise yet, just a slight vibration...so hopefully I have some time. Thanks everyone!

 

-Dan

I had the same looseness in mtn grizz before the front diff went out too... the front diff went out on the hiway at 65 mph. now theres some vibration and after getting off the interstate it bucked like mad, and was really undriveable. had to have it towed to my house, then had some good size teeth come out through the trans draing plug