Shudder in steering during tight turns

[Ultimate]

Any help on this will be much appreciated!

98 legacy L with Auto AWD Tranny.

Got a Tranny flush yesterday at 77Kmi. The last tranny service was at
28K mi. Afterward I noticed a low speed shudder in tight turns and the
steering feels "heavy". I can feel the shudder in the steering wheel
too. After googling on the problem, I went out and disabled the AWD
by installing the fuse. In FWD only, the shudder disapears and the
steering is normal. Did the mechanic not do something correctly? Is
there something I can do to further define what is going on? I'm at a
loss here.

Thank you for any help!

 

[cgilb]

HI,

Read a previous post on this NG on 10/21/2004 « AWD to 2WD harmful to the
transmission? ». It seems to be me that you're having the same problem I had
after flushing my automatic transmission.

Since I posted on this NG a special cleaner ?? was added to the transmission
fluid with great improvement. The shudder or vibration felt in the steering
wheel has almost completely disappeared now that it's back to AWD. I intend
to add one more can ...! Good luck.

Claude

 

[DJay]

Can you supply the name of the "special additive?" I would like to try it.

Thanks!

DJAy

 

[cgilb]

Hi,

Tomorrow, I will ask the mechanic (specialist) and I'll come back to you as
soon a possible. I guess there are many brands on the market but I'll find
out the one that was used in my outback. If you could read french, I would
gladly send you a paper he gave me that explains the problem...???

Claude

 

[DJay]

Yes that would be GREAT! I'd like to try it before I go the "expensive
route!" And I cannot read French! :~)

DJay

 

[Steve Nicholas]

I had a similar issue when purchasing my wifes 4wd wagon. (not a sub
but same issue). The fix came direct from manufacturer that wrong fluid
used. Car yard had correct fluid put in and problem completely cleared
up now. I was very skeptical this would be the fix, but all sorted now.