my auto has been slipping and getting progressively worse so i just tried to change the fluid. i drained it than started filling it up but i overfilled it. i didnt think i had put enough in to have overfilled it. i drained some more out but the level wouldnt come down on the dipstick. so i drained it completely and the level is still way over full. like its plugged up or something. please help. im not sure what the heck is going on.

did you check it with the transmission hot and the engine running?

after draining and filling the transmissiomn run it through all the gears then stop it and add fluid as neccisary hope this helps

Are you sure it was the trans that you drained?

good point the diff's have a separate resivore on auto's don't they

good point the diff's have a separate resivore on auto's don't they

 

yep, that's probably it...

AS you face the engine from the front of the car, the dipstick on your right (tangled up in battery cables and fuel lines) is the ATF dipstick/filler. The dipstick on the left (roughly above the axle) is the differential's gear oil dipstick/filler. If you have put ATF into the diff, you need to drain the diff and refill with gear oil.

 

What type of automatic (3-speed or 4-speed) fo you have? Or, alternately, give some info on year and style of your Subaru.

 

The 3-speed automatics (aka 3AT on this Board) has some known quirks and problems. What do you mean by "slipping"?

how embarassing:-\

DOH!

Dont worry, common mistake for a newb.

thanks. now can anyone tell me what kind of oil i need in my front diff? is it a mix? i have an 87 ea82 wagon.

Approximately 1.3 qts (US) of GL-5 gear oil, around 90 weight. Something like an 80w-90 or thereabouts (I can't remember what the common multi-viscosity oils are).

does anybody know where i can find out for sure?

The owners manual will tell you. But, just about any gear oil will be fine for the diffs. I use Valvoline 80W-90, mostly cuz that's all the local automotive shop stocks in gallons.

Book says 90 weight for moderate temperatures, slightly lighter (80, IIRC) for sub-freezing temps. Anything in the 90-95 weight "hot" end will suffice.