1996 Subaru OB- problem shifting while turning corners

[michaelis73]

My '96 OB seems to shift out of gear when making tight corners or
crawling up a steep incline at only a few MPH. (e.g. turning right or
left from a complete or near complete stop or driving up a steep
driveway at 3 or 4 MPH). The transmission feels like it's kicking into
neutral, then 1st, then back to neutral. The RPMs coincide, reving
high when it seemingly drops out of gear. Sometimes I have to stomp on
it to get it to engage properly, otherwise the car bucks badly.

This doesn't feel like transmission slippage because it's so abrupt
and it doesn't happen when I'm going above 5 or 6 MPH (of course I
don't make 90 degree turns at above that anyway). I've also tried to
induce slippage at regular speeds by letting the car shift down while
going up a steep hill and trying to put the trans under a bigger load-
but no slippage.

Trans going south on me? Differentials shot? Computer problems? I'm
lost. Any insight would be most appreciated

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

My '96 OB seems to shift out of gear when making tight corners or
crawling up a steep incline at only a few MPH. (e.g. turning right or
left from a complete or near complete stop or driving up a steep
driveway at 3 or 4 MPH). The transmission feels like it's kicking into
neutral, then 1st, then back to neutral. The RPMs coincide, reving
high when it seemingly drops out of gear. Sometimes I have to stomp on
it to get it to engage properly, otherwise the car bucks badly.

This doesn't feel like transmission slippage because it's so abrupt
and it doesn't happen when I'm going above 5 or 6 MPH (of course I
don't make 90 degree turns at above that anyway). I've also tried to
induce slippage at regular speeds by letting the car shift down while
going up a steep hill and trying to put the trans under a bigger load-
but no slippage.

Trans going south on me? Differentials shot? Computer problems? I'm
lost. Any insight would be most appreciated

A 'jerkiness' on dry pavement during slow,sharp turns (like maneuvering
in a parking lot) is indicative of 'torque bind'. Try using the spare
fuse in the FWD only slot in the fuse box under the hood. Check the
manual for spare tire use info.
Have you recently used an emergency spare or odd sized tire or driven on
a flat?

search here and over at www.ultimatesubaru.org for 'torque bind'.

Carl

 

[michaelis73]

A 'jerkiness' on dry pavement during slow,sharp turns (like maneuvering
in a parking lot) is indicative of 'torque bind'. Try using the spare
fuse in the FWD only slot in the fuse box under the hood. Check the
manual for spare tire use info.
Have you recently used an emergency spare or odd sized tire or driven on
a flat?

search here and over atwww.ultimatesubaru.orgfor 'torque bind'.

Carl

Thanks a bunch Carl. I put a 15 amp fuse in the FWD box, the FWD light
shows on the dash. The problem is gone. Of course not really. Now I've
got to address the rear transfer case (er differential)? I'll save
that for the shop. But I was wondering...will it hurt to leave the fwd
fuse in and just drive it for a while? I've been searching for an
answer on the Subaru site and can't seem to nail it down. Some say it
can mess up the back end. Some say it doesn't hurt a thing. I just
figured if it's all the same I won't worry about it anytime soon. The
car actually drives a lot nicer now and hell, maybe I'll even get
better MPG? I've taxed you enough already, but if you've got anymore
input I'd love to read it.

Thanks again for the helpful post.
Zach

 

[strchild]

Shouldn't hurt anything to drive with the FWD fuse installed. If my memory
serves correctly, I heard a Soob mechanic say you could install a switch to
the fuse if you wanted to change on the fly, but you really don't gain much
in the economy department, as you're still lugging the same car around and
only adjusting where the torque is being sent. I doubt you lose enough
torque in the rear drivetrain to gain much by sending it all up front. I
know I never gained much (~ 1 - 2 MPG) when I drove in FWD mode for a week.

Not sure why I don't hear more folks use the term on the forum here, but I
believe Subaru calls the back-end / 3rd stage of their tranny the "final
drive", which does the job of, but is not exactly the same as a transfer
case / differential combo. I suppose the term may only apply to the auto
tranny model, but I think I've already exceeded my pay grade. (-;

~B

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Thanks a bunch Carl. I put a 15 amp fuse in the FWD box, the FWD light
shows on the dash. The problem is gone. Of course not really. Now I've
got to address the rear transfer case (er differential)? I'll save
that for the shop. But I was wondering...will it hurt to leave the fwd
fuse in and just drive it for a while? I've been searching for an
answer on the Subaru site and can't seem to nail it down. Some say it
can mess up the back end. Some say it doesn't hurt a thing. I just
figured if it's all the same I won't worry about it anytime soon. The
car actually drives a lot nicer now and hell, maybe I'll even get
better MPG? I've taxed you enough already, but if you've got anymore
input I'd love to read it.

Thanks again for the helpful post.
Zach

The system isn't designed to operate 24/7 in that mode so , no one can
say for certain when the TCU or the Duty C Solenoid will 'complain'
about it.
There's a huge long thread about the 2WD/AWD/4WD 'switch' mod at
www.ultimatesubaru.org along with arguments about the 'right' way to do it.
I'd say you're probably good for a week or 2 or 3 anyway - who knows.
The center diff wet clutch pack is in the tailshaft of the tranny. You
should know that SOME folks have had success at clearing this issue up
by performing several successive fluid drain/changes and/or having a
true tranny 'flush' done once or twice.

good luck


Carl