Hi, I am new to this forum.

So I got a 1988 Subaru GL Wagon, drove it for a few miles when I bought it with no apparent issues until going uphill, when it started to feel like a wheel was dragging/locking/shaking, feeling like one of the wheels was not turning at the same rate as the others, FWD mode was engaged.

When I got home I did some basic maintenance routine, engine oil change, rear diff fluid change, and I added some fluid to the manual transmission. Drove again for a few miles with no problems, and on the way back home the same thing happened, this time on a flat surface.

I´ve already checked the front brakes and the tires spin freely so I think they are not the problem.

I am going to see a mechanic tomorrow, but where I live mechanics really don´t want to work on Subarus because they say Subarus are more "complicated" than other cars. (We own 5 in my family, mine´s the older.)

My theory is that maybe something is wrong with the CV´s.

Any help is apreciated!

Also, does this model has 4WD HI and LOW? Because when I push the lever all the way down the car moves normally, If i push the lever to the middle it just revs when I let off the clutch, and if I push the lever all the way up I can feel more traction and the RPMS are higher so I am assuming that is 4WD HI. ???

Thank you! And sorry if my english is poor, Greetings from Baja, Mexico.

Bad CVJ can cause the steering wheel to shake when bad enough.

Usually, they start with clicking during turns, varies with load, how sharp.

1. Does putting it in FWD alleviate the issues?

2. Does it only happen around turns or after turns?

3. Maybe it’s torque bind?

Go drive in a circle in a large parking lot and see if it does it.

4. Do all the tires match?

5. Are any of the CV boots broken or are any f them aftermarket axles?

It sounds like a bad breakline to me they go bad internaly they dont relese right away when they fail the fluid goes in under presure but there isent any presure when relesed so if theres a restriction in the line it will hold the break on for a while they relese after sitting long enuff and wont happen again till hard breaking then the wheel will lock up untill it sits a while

 

Hi, I am new to this forum.

 

Also, does this model has 4WD HI and LOW? Because when I push the lever all the way down the car moves normally, If i push the lever to the middle it just revs when I let off the clutch, and if I push the lever all the way up I can feel more traction and the RPMS are higher so I am assuming that is 4WD HI. ???

 

Thank you! And sorry if my english is poor, Greetings from Baja, Mexico.

 

 

It depends on which transmission you have fitted to your car.

 

If its 4WD part time selectable hi/lo range

 

Dual ratio selector lever  Up is for low range  4WD / off road / snow / hills  (increase in Rpm for speed)

 the middle position    4WD Hi range for on road snow ice  etc                                   

Down is high range  2WD (FWD)  / highway  / on road  (normal use)

 

In between these positions there are false neutral positions.   Its not recommended to hold lever in these positions and try to drive car.

Also with these transmissions , it doesn't have a centre differential so. the transmission / drive line binds when when turning on hard surfaces in 4WD .    So 4WD  should be selected only on slippery surfaces or if driving straight.

 

If it is an AWD hi / lo transmission,    down  (hi range) is for highway  , up (low range)  is for offroad etc  (increase in rpm for speed)

no turning issues as this transmission has a centre differential.

The middle position is a false neutral not recommended to drive in this position also  

Edited November 7, 20178 yr by subnz

Thank you for your replies, I found out that te rear differential was causing the problemas, I removed the rear driveshaft and the car seem to move freely now. Its there any problem if I keep driving like this until I can grab some money to fix the rear differential?

Are all 4 tires the same brand, model and size?

 

Even if they are, the car may bind up on dry pavement in 4wd in sharp corners.