VLSD identification...

[mountainchef]

A while back I had a local shop install a low-mile transaxle in my 92 Legacy L wgn. There was a small hangup with availability of a trans with the same gear ratio (3.9X stock?) so we decided to install a 4.11 and matching rear axle. After a little reading, I began wondering if I had inadvertantly upgraded into an LSD.

 

That said, my questions are as follows:

 

Does anyone know how to indetify, by serial number, what is now in my car?

If the current set is VLSD, do I need to used any special fluids when servicing?

[johnceggleston]

http://opposedforces.com/parts might be able to give you more info on your trans and diff if you know what car / year the trans came from. it will also tell you if there was a vlsd available.

 

but regardless, there is no special fluid needed. the viscous lsd is a seal unit and it runs in reg diff gear oil.

 

i doubt it is a vlsd. i don't THINK they were available in the legacys in the early 90s. i KNOW they weren't available in the late 90s.

 

however if you wanted one you could get one from an 01 - 04 outback and swap it in. just make sue it has a 4.11 ratio.

[mountainchef]

Thanks for the insight. I figured as such, but it is nice to check.

[ezapar]

 

That said, my questions are as follows:

 

Does anyone know how to indetify, by serial number, what is now in my car?

If the current set is VLSD, do I need to used any special fluids when servicing?

 

No. There is no serial # or any identification at all for the later vlsds. Only in the early turbo legs, and they said VLSD in big old letters on the back.

Best way to tell is to jack up the rear of the car. Spin a wheel, if the other spins the same way, you're golden.

 

Keep in mind, should you decide to find a vlsd and it's not the same ratio, that it's easily converted. There should still be a write up in the repair manual.