96 Outback Legacy Synchro Problems

[Jonathan Baumgartner]

This is my first post, and I'm not too car savvy. All I know is I love
my Subaru, so I thought I'd see if anyone here could help me.

I have a 96 Outback Legacy, manual transmission. Back in the summer, I
noticed that shifting from 1st into 2nd gear was making a really bad
grinding sound. If I let it spin down all the way before going into 2nd,
it wouldn't grind.

I took it to a mechanic who said the synchros needed replacing, and if I
was going to do that anyway, I might as well replace the entire
transmission since the cost wasn't much more. He said about $1500 to
replace the transmission.

I haven't done anything about it since I don't have that much money
right now, and he said it would be okay if I babied it. He also said I
shouldn't take it out for long drives. I've been really careful with it,
and the grinding doesn't happen very much anymore, as I've learned to
compensate. It has worsened a little bit in that shifting from 3rd to
2nd will sometimes grind now if I forget to let it spin down enough.

So ..

Does this sound reasonable? I live in Philly, and have people I'd like
to visit in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Can I drive it that far?

Can I get it fixed for less?

Is this even a major issue? I've been treating the car like it's on its
last legs because of this, but I'd love to be able to use it for long
trips.

thanks,
jon

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Some folks in this type situation can change the gear oil out to
Redline, Motul or something better than stock, retrain their shift
techniques, and drive another 50-100K miles. Just keep the cellphone
handy and drive.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[Edward Hayes]

I agree with Carl 1: Change the gear oil to any good 75-90GL5 stuff. Long
drives won't hurt as the syncros are only used during shifting. eddie

 

[Jonathan Baumgartner]

I agree with Carl 1: Change the gear oil to any good 75-90GL5 stuff. Long
drives won't hurt as the syncros are only used during shifting. eddie

Cool. Thanks, guys.

jon

 

[Dominic Richens]

I have a 96 Outback Legacy, manual transmission. Back in the summer, I
noticed that shifting from 1st into 2nd gear was making a really bad
grinding sound. If I let it spin down all the way before going into
2nd, it wouldn't grind.

Sounds like my 95 Legacy, but for first. I can't down-shift into first
unless I'm doing 3 mph or less, unless I double-clutch. No big deal -
certainly not worth the $$ to fix it.

I took it to a mechanic who said the synchros needed replacing, and
if I was going to do that anyway, I might as well replace the entire
transmission since the cost wasn't much more. He said about $1500 to
replace the transmission.

That's what I figured.

I haven't done anything about it since I don't have that much money
right now, and he said it would be okay if I babied it. He also said I
shouldn't take it out for long drives.

That I don't understand. Syncho's do nothing during steady state. Maybe he
is just being cautious, but a dud syncho wouldn't stop me from driving. My
friend's Renualt 5 ("Le Car" LOL!) had all the synchos (except 4th) burnt
and he drove it for 40,000km like this. This happened because his clutch
cable broke and he didn't bother to get it fixed for a couple of months yet
still drove between Ottawa and Montreal once a week, and once to Ny city!!!
Hence the burnt synchos from shifting without clutching. You should have
seen him at red lights!

I've been really careful with
it, and the grinding doesn't happen very much anymore, as I've
learned to compensate. It has worsened a little bit in that shifting
from 3rd to 2nd will sometimes grind now if I forget to let it spin
down enough.

Since you have to replace the entire tranny, I would just drive it until it
really breaks!! You will probably find that you will get used to
double-clutching and you will forget you have the problem! Of course you
will freak out any friends that borrow your car

 

[Jonathan Baumgartner]

That I don't understand. Syncho's do nothing during steady state. Maybe he

That's what I thought, too.

is just being cautious, but a dud syncho wouldn't stop me from driving. My
friend's Renualt 5 ("Le Car" LOL!) had all the synchos (except 4th) burnt
and he drove it for 40,000km like this. This happened because his clutch
cable broke and he didn't bother to get it fixed for a couple of months yet
still drove between Ottawa and Montreal once a week, and once to Ny city!!!
Hence the burnt synchos from shifting without clutching. You should have
seen him at red lights!

Wow. That's insane!

Since you have to replace the entire tranny, I would just drive it until it
really breaks!! You will probably find that you will get used to
double-clutching and you will forget you have the problem! Of course you
will freak out any friends that borrow your car

I'm very glad I asked this group. This is great news! You're right; I am
already changing my driving technique. And yeah, I don't envy anyone that
tries to drive the thing ...

jon