Hi all, first post, but I've been searching/reading for a while.

 

Does this sound like a failing VC? After about an hour of highway driving, I pulled into a parking lot where I had to make some sharp low speed turns, and there seemed to be some binding (similar to running a "part-time" 4x4 on dry pavement). There was a faint clunking sound (like a bad CV, but not as pronounced), and some side to side rocking. This only happened when making fairly tight turns. There was no drag/binding in a straight line or wide turns. Oh, and it didn't matter which direction - it happened at the same turn radius for both left and right.

 

That was last night and it was too late to have a good look at it, so today I checked the CV boots - all good - and tires/pressures - equal - and took the car for a drive but couldn't repoduce the problem. So I'm thinking the drivetrain needs to get hot, i.e. highway speed.

 

While having a look at it I noticed that one of the steering rack boots is torn, but the steering seems to work fine - no shuddering, pulling etc., and the fluid level is good. Otherwise, I can't see anything obviously wrong with the car (I'm a fairly good 'shady tree' mechanic, but not all that familiar with Subarus, and just too busy right now to start pulling the car apart).

 

The details on the car are 2002 Outback, 5 spd MT, 2.5 L, 145K miles.

 

So am I on the right track suspecting the VC?

Yes...

 

Of course first make sure all the tires match and are properly inflated.

 

 

nipper

[...]So am I on the right track suspecting the VC?

Probably. Next time it happens, try doing some tight figure-eights while in reverse (in a safe place like a deserted parking lot, please); if there's a change in the symptom, it's likely the VC.

i'll be an echo of those guys...sounds like it, change the fluid anyway maybe?

was it ever driven with mismatched tires or towed (improperly)?

Yes...

Of course first make sure all the tires match and are properly inflated.

nipper

 

Done.

 

Yeah, I pretty much figured, but was hoping that maybe I overlooked something a little less expensive!

 

How about that torn boot on the steering rack? Think I can just replace it, or am I going to be looking at a new rack too? I've had mixed luck with that on other cars.

Probably. Next time it happens, try doing some tight figure-eights while in reverse (in a safe place like a deserted parking lot, please); if there's a change in the symptom, it's likely the VC.

Intersesting. What change would I be looking for? Getting worse?

i'll be an echo of those guys...sounds like it, change the fluid anyway maybe?

was it ever driven with mismatched tires or towed (improperly)?

 

No fluid to change.

 

nipper

Intersesting. What change would I be looking for? Getting worse?

 

Same thing your feeling now. It doesnt really matter weather its forward or reverse, this isnt a Auto where sometimes it helps.

 

The Steering boot can be replaced.

 

nipper

i'll be an echo of those guys...sounds like it, change the fluid anyway maybe?

was it ever driven with mismatched tires or towed (improperly)?

Not since I've owned it, but the first owner... who knows? They seemed to take good care of it though. It came with a full service record - all performed at the dealership they bought it from.

 

As for the fluid, isn't the VC a sealed unit?

Not since I've owned it, but the first owner... who knows? They seemed to take good care of it though. It came with a full service record - all performed at the dealership they bought it from.

 

As for the fluid, isn't the VC a sealed unit?

 

Yes

Same thing your feeling now. It doesnt really matter weather its forward or reverse, this isnt a Auto where sometimes it helps.

 

The Steering boot can be replaced.

 

nipper

 

Well, at least that's good to hear (the boot that is).

 

So my next question is how long can one go before total failure?

Well, at least that's good to hear (the boot that is).

 

So my next question is how long can one go before total failure?

 

Technically it already has.

 

On a manual the car can become unsteerable worse case scenario (seen it once on here). You can also damage the front and rear differetionals and other driveline parts.

 

Dont wait it out, get it fixed.

 

nipper

...Dont wait it out, get it fixed.

nipper

OK, thanks for the help.

Intersesting. What change would I be looking for? Getting worse?

As you probably know, the VC is a unit that contains a special fluid, usually silicone-based. Running the VC "backwards" sometimes will slightly redistribute the fluid, changing the characteristics of the bind. Some forum members have previously reported that doing a dozen or so of the figure-eights actually caused the bind to be significantly reduced for a while. It's not a cure, but may help in the diagnosis. Besides, if the VC is "toast", there likely isn't anything to loose in trying the maneuver; if you decide to go ahead, please let us know the result.

As you probably know, the VC is a unit that contains a special fluid, usually silicone-based. Running the VC "backwards" sometimes will slightly redistribute the fluid, changing the characteristics of the bind. Some forum members have previously reported that doing a dozen or so of the figure-eights actually caused the bind to be significantly reduced for a while. It's not a cure, but may help in the diagnosis. Besides, if the VC is "toast", there likely isn't anything to loose in trying the maneuver; if you decide to go ahead, please let us know the result.

Ok, good to know that in a bind (pun intended) I could use this trick to get a few more miles.

 

As it stands, it's only happend once and I haven't been able to reproduce it, but I'll probably just go ahead and replace it when it acts up again.

Quick sorta ot question. Is it the fluid from the vc that is leaker out when the driveshaft is removed? And if so how would you go about refilling it?

Quick sorta ot question. Is it the fluid from the vc that is leaker out when the driveshaft is removed? And if so how would you go about refilling it?

 

 

VC is sealed, nothing leaks.

 

Manual tranny is sealed. Automatic which uses a clutch pack, remove the driveshaft the auto fluid leaks out.

 

 

nipper

Ok, good to know that in a bind (pun intended) I could use this trick to get a few more miles.

once they get bad, you can also disconnect the rear driveshaft (or remove the two front axles, driveshaft is really easy though) and just drive the car in FWD or AWD. it works.

VC is sealed, nothing leaks.

 

Manual tranny is sealed. Automatic which uses a clutch pack, remove the driveshaft the auto fluid leaks out.

 

 

nipper

 

I might have an issue then... When I pulled the trans out of my 90 legacy donor fluid poured out of the back...

I might have an issue then... When I pulled the trans out of my 90 legacy donor fluid poured out of the back...

 

 

hrmmmm

 

i may be wrong (hey it happens)

 

so lets have someone else chime in ..

 

 

nipper

MT will leak with driveshaft out too just like AT.

MT will leak with driveshaft out too just like AT.

 

hrmm they changed things then. Older cars i have owned, including my 1988GL, drove for a month with no rear dirveshaft with no problem.

 

 

nipper

So I'm ok then... Ya'll had me worried I was gonna have to get another centrel diff. So whenever I get it put in the car, just fill it up like normal and I'll be good right...

 

Nip, I've never had an ea82 car, but the ea81 4spd from the brat did leaked out just like the ej 5spd. Are you sure you had fluid in there:lol:

So I'm ok then... Ya'll had me worried I was gonna have to get another centrel diff. So whenever I get it put in the car, just fill it up like normal and I'll be good right...

 

Nip, I've never had an ea82 car, but the ea81 4spd from the brat did leaked out just like the ej 5spd. Are you sure you had fluid in there:lol:

 

i hope so i drove it for a month likie that untill the driveshaft was repaired. Car drove for another 2 years, then rust finally killed her off.

 

nipper

How common is this viscous coupling faillure?