Big snippage
I'm almost at the point I want to sell this car and go back to driving
a truck. I love the WRX, but this problem needs to be addressed. I
can't belive NO ONE at Subaru knows about this. I'm sure they know
about this bug, but are unwilling to admit it.
Please be sure to post any updates anyone finds. The more we complain,
the better the chances we have of getting it fixed.
Over at
www.i-club.com or
www.nasioc.com there's tons of stuff posted about
the tranny. The basic problem is that the WRX is using the same tranny,
albeit updated, as the Leone/Loyale series of Subies. There's just so much
torque a tranny can take, and the WRX's is pushed damn close to the limit,
if not a bit beyond. The big no-no for any WRX manual is anything that puts
a shock load on the tranny. Clutch drops, failure to match revs on
downshifts, trying to hurry the tranny, and generally shifting it like you
stole it will kill the 1st and 2nd gear synchros in no time. Another weak
point is prolonged full throttle pulls in third gear. The root cause is
case flex. The tranny case bends under the load a WRX motor is capable of
putting out (especially you modder types), this misaligns gears/synchros/you
name it and BAM. If you want the tranny to last, you'll have to burn some
clutch and shift only as fast as the mechanism will let you. Roll into the
gas instead of punching it.
As for the clutch judder "problem," it isn't really a problem. The clutch
friction material is very hard for long life and durability. As such, its
minimum operating temperature (at which it'll engage smoothly) is well above
what most cars see as ambient. So, it'll shudder in the mornings,
especially when moist/humid. Once everything is up to temp, all is peachy.
I've not brought mine in under the TSB for 2002 cars, mainly because I'm
afraid that the cure will be worse than the disease.
Happily, the 2005 (for the US) uber-Legacy will bring with it a new 5-speed
design. Since the STi 6-speed is too damn expensive for mass use, a new
5-speed will greatly improve the Legacy and the successor WRX.
The Captain