unibrook Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Especially after the engine has warmed up, it is very difficult to shift into gear. And grinds when I try to shift into reverse. I have recently replaced the Slave and the Clutch Hose, neither of those made a difference. I replaced the Master in October. Could it be the trans fluid causing this issue? It was last changed at 110k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt167 Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Sounds like its not releasing fully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unibrook Posted March 27, 2016 Author Share Posted March 27, 2016 Well, I guess I can replace the Master ... again. It was an aftermkt part. But I did it only 6 months ago. And I am not getting soft pedal symptom at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted March 27, 2016 Share Posted March 27, 2016 Could it be the clutch itself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamesama980 Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 +1 for the clutch not fully disengaging. It could be the clutch itself but that's very rare (typically if it's the clutch, it's in a car that's been sitting so long the clutch, PP, and FW have rusted together). Honestly, I suggest doing the master, slave, and hose all at the same time. At this point I'd say it's 50/50 between a slave that has also failed or a cheap rebuilt master failing prematurely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtdash Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 The clutch is adjustable right above the gas pedal under the dash. I'd try that b4 anything else. TD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamesama980 Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Hydraulic clutches aren't "adjustable" like cable clutches are. The adjustment is to take up slop due to manufacturing tolerances or bent parts. If you adjust it incorrectly to account for broken parts, you can make it worse or cause other problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtdash Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 ^ It fixed my '98 and it was free. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unibrook Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 It just seems odd that the pedal is not soft....if the problem is the Master cyl. Hmmmmm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith3267 Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Yes the gear oil change could be the cause of your problems, IF you didn't use the specified gear oil. It is not as simple as it used to be. Friction modifiers are often added to match the syncronizers. If its not a match, then the syncronizers can make it harder to get into gear instead of easier. It really is not necessary to change MT oil any longer and I would recommend against it, BUT it should be checked occasionally, if not at every oil change, at least every 30k service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamesama980 Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 Oops, didn't read closely enough that the master, slave, and hose had all been replaced. I correct my previous post to say either the master or slave has failed or the linkage was not correctly adjusted at the time of the master cyl replacement. ^ It fixed my '98 and it was free. Thanks it may have worked but I've seen cases where it did more damage. If you adjust too far and cover the compensating port on the master cylinder it'll be a bad day. It could be that the linkage is not adjusted correctly to start with. It just seems odd that the pedal is not soft....if the problem is the Master cyl. Hmmmmm.... Pedal effort is a function of leverage, travel speed, and pressure plate force. for a failed master or slave cylinder to affect pedal effort, it'd have to leak fluid faster than you're trying to push it through the line. At that point, it'd leak so bad you wouldn't be able to shift after holding the clutch down for a few seconds. Yes the gear oil change could be the cause of your problems, IF you didn't use the specified gear oil. It is not as simple as it used to be. Friction modifiers are often added to match the syncronizers. If its not a match, then the syncronizers can make it harder to get into gear instead of easier. It really is not necessary to change MT oil any longer and I would recommend against it, BUT it should be checked occasionally, if not at every oil change, at least every 30k service. Is reverse synchro'd on subie gearboxes? I know on most manuals I'm familiar with it isn't so a grindy reverse along with the synchro'd forward gears=lack of disengagement. If reverse is synchro'd, then yes fluid choice could affect it as well. MT fluid absolutely should be changed at the recommended interval (or, in the case of "lifetime fill" fluids, upon expiration of the warranty since they mean lifetime of the warranty) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unibrook Posted April 1, 2016 Author Share Posted April 1, 2016 Great points guys, thanks for this input. I will post back here with a fix when I get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted April 1, 2016 Share Posted April 1, 2016 I've always used Walmart 80W90 when changing gear-oil in my 2002 Forester. And I've had no problems with the transmission. Smooth gear-changes etc. Had the car since new, now at 236,000 km. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unibrook Posted April 2, 2016 Author Share Posted April 2, 2016 Wife finally got fed up with my chasing tranny problems. She twisted my arm and forced an upgrade to a 2014 Crosstrek. Sold the old Forester to the dealer for $200. On to the next chapter of Subaru Love.... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith3267 Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 kamesama980, I don't have answers for you. My response was a general answer to the question of whether the trans fluid could cause the problem. Yes it can, but it may not be the cause in this case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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