I test drove a 1997 Legacy today with 188K miles. Regarding torque binding, it passed the figure 8 test just fine, but I felt some resistance when making sharp right hand turns...backwards or forwards...into parking spots. What is the difference between normal AWD resistance and torque binding? I know that 4WD systems do have more resistance to turning than 2WD. Maybe I should drive a new Subaru to see?

Thanks.

What is the "figure 8 test"?

you drive the car in tight figure 8's to see if it binds up/shudders. It it does, the car has the dreaded torque bind.

Actually, I this car has the beginings of torque bind. when turning slowly into parking lot spaces or out of a parking lot...thats when it feels like its binding up. May be fixable, but fluid looks pretty good and tires are pretty new...matching. someone's already been trying to fix it I think.

I can feel that torque bind if i´m taking tight turns and so on.

 

But isn´t just usual to have some torque bind on a 4wd. But it probably increases as the drivetrain and tranny get more worn out.

no its not really normal to have torque bind.....believe me its a headache...so stay away from it if you dont want to take the risk.....other things that can cause torque bind is uneven tire pressure and bad alignment check those

 

Cory