Subaru center diff...

[VTEC_Inside]

My brother has a 2003 Legacy Wagon 5spd.

When you steer more than half a turn over in either direction and the travel forward or backward, clutch in or out, something is binding.

You can hear it and feel it.

He was told today that it is likely the center diff, but I am having a hard time getting my head around that explanation.

Trying to walk through it in my head. That diff should maintain a 50/50 split on his car right? So on tight turns when the outside front is rotating a decent amount more than the rear its slipping/catching? Is that it?

[MX793]

Yes.  Sounds like the center diff isn't allowing enough slip.  The result is similar to what you get when you try to take a tight turn in a 4WD truck/Jeep on dry pavement with the 4WD locked.

[S204STi]

I agree with MX793.

Here's the thing, not only are the outside wheels turning faster than the inside, but the front axle is also turning faster than the rear because it is turning a larger arc than the rear axle, hence is has to turn faster to avoid the feeling you're getting. 

The center diff on the 5spd is a simple viscous clutch, which is a sealed unit with special silicone fluid and multiple clutch plates.  It could just be that the fluid is "burned" causing it to have too high of a viscosity all of the time.

[VTEC_Inside]

Thanks. I've got the idea now.

I think I know why it fried now too... One of his rear tires had a leak for a couple weeks there and he didn't exactly stay on top of it.

After seeing how sensitive it is to speed differential I'm sure that didn't exactly help it.

What a riot to drive that thing though even for a big wagon. I took it through a nearby section of road that I like to run through, its rural, and has like 4-5 good corners. I've run the road dozens of times in my Accord and RSX. While the RSX would still hand his wagon its ass, it just won't go through the corners like that thing. I took full advantage of being able to plop the power down just short of the apex and not plow away from my direction. He claimed to have never smelt his Toyos before, lol...

Disclaimer: Yes public road, but slow speed corners, most at 60kph, the last long one no more than 80kph, 0 pedestrian traffic, clear visibility, etc... Never more than 8/10s push factor.

[S204STi]

Thanks. I've got the idea now.

I think I know why it fried now too... One of his rear tires had a leak for a couple weeks there and he didn't exactly stay on top of it.

After seeing how sensitive it is to speed differential I'm sure that didn't exactly help it.

What a riot to drive that thing though even for a big wagon. I took it through a nearby section of road that I like to run through, its rural, and has like 4-5 good corners. I've run the road dozens of times in my Accord and RSX. While the RSX would still hand his wagon its ass, it just won't go through the corners like that thing. I took full advantage of being able to plop the power down just short of the apex and not plow away from my direction. He claimed to have never smelt his Toyos before, lol...

Disclaimer: Yes public road, but slow speed corners, most at 60kph, the last long one no more than 80kph, 0 pedestrian traffic, clear visibility, etc... Never more than 8/10s push factor.

Add that ability + Turbo = pwned RSX. =)

Now you get the Subaru thing.

[CALL_911]

Add that ability + Turbo = pwned RSX. =)

Now you get the Subaru thing.

[VTEC_Inside]

Add that ability + Turbo = pwned RSX. =)

Now you get the Subaru thing.

Oh, I got it a long time ago. I put a WRX into a 4 wheel drift on a test drive once.

I loved the Legacy Spec B I had for a day a while back.

I'd be driving a Spec B right now if it wasn't $11,000 more here in Canada than it is in the US.

[VTEC_Inside]

$1823.16 was the damage from Subaru to replace with a new one.

I got him to keep the old one as I will either sell it as is or have it rebuilt and sell it.

[S204STi]

$1823.16 was the damage from Subaru to replace with a new one.

Christ...

[VTEC_Inside]

Christ...

I did give him the number of a Transmission shop that I've sent a couple people to, but he was more comfortable at the dealer so...

$800 just for the differential. I think they charged 5hrs labor to remove and again to reinstall.

[Raza]

Oh, I got it a long time ago. I put a WRX into a 4 wheel drift on a test drive once.

I loved the Legacy Spec B I had for a day a while back.

I'd be driving a Spec B right now if it wasn't $11,000 more here in Canada than it is in the US.

Do what Craig did.