SUBARU3 Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 (edited) I am in the processing of thinning out lot's of Subaru stuff, in preparation for a move. Mainly the HEAVY stuff! I have a 32K 4EAT AWD tranny I want to put in a 95 Impreza. (Exact tranny that I want to replace). That car's original tranny has 100K. I figure put it in and that way I don't have to transport that heavy beast! I plan on keeping the car a long time! How much would a reputable shop charge to switch these? Do you think I really need to inspect/ change the transfer clutches at that low of mileage? I would do this myself, but that tranny is a bear! (and being on my back, under the car...... does NOT sound like fun or easy! Thanks! Todd Edited June 6, 2012 by SUBARU3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 You have at least another 100K on your trans and more if you maintain it. Dont' waste your money. Most shops will not install used transmissiions. If you find one that will I bet its north of $500. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted June 6, 2012 Share Posted June 6, 2012 i paid $575 in 06 for a tranny r&r in a lego. but i agree, change the fluid in your current trans and sell the other for $150+ . use the money to help pay for the move. you will come out ahead 2 ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted June 6, 2012 Author Share Posted June 6, 2012 I guess you both are right.... but the thought of a nice low mileage tranny sounds good to me! The existing transmission seems to "hunt" a little from 2nd gear to 3rd gear, so I figured it was starting it's mileage. Man, 5-600 bucks is WORTH being on my back! :cool: Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987687 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Just rent a tranny jack, you'll want it for the 4eat. Except for being stupid heavy, it's a pretty easy swap, and the tranny jack would make it a breeze. I have almost 250k on my 4eat, it still shifts nice and the awd works perfect. You can adjust the bands to adjust out the messed up 2-3 shift, it says how to do it in the FSM. It's a PITA, but worth it. Sorta like adjusting valves. You can also get rid of some of the 1-2 clunk. When I first got the car, it shifted weird and the AWD was bindy, and a couple fluid changes cleared it right up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted June 7, 2012 Author Share Posted June 7, 2012 I read that band adjustment section and it was confusing. I believe there is only one band adjustment screw on this? (The one on top near the starter) Tighten or loosen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987687 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I read that band adjustment section and it was confusing. I believe there is only one band adjustment screw on this? (The one on top near the starter) Tighten or loosen? There should be a few adjustments. Yea, it's confusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 I know of a few places around here that would charge around $400 for a tranny swap. They are smaller garages but know their stuff! But yeah, for the money I'd do the job yourself. As long as you have a jack, it's not too bad. Just have to be patient. I have to say that is a crazy low mileage transmission!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Why take a trans with 100K out that works? Do a couple of drain and fills on it in the next 10K and be happy with a 100K one. The 70K mile gain might not be worth the effort and you could probably sell the trans you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 SUbaru transmissions rarely go bad, usually it is torque bind that may do them in. I would just leave things be and maintain the tranny doing a drain/fill every other oil change. Blu has 300987 miles on his and after a sensor issue is going strong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 I know, I know....but the taste of a new tranny feels good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 Where can you lift these transmissions at? If you lift at the pan, with a large flat, evenly dispersed surface, is that OK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987687 Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Where can you lift these transmissions at? If you lift at the pan, with a large flat, evenly dispersed surface, is that OK? Yes. You just don't want any point-loading on the pan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1997reduxe Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Can I ask about the "flush" method of changing the fluid vs. just draining and refilling? I had a mechanic once who had that flush machine and he would use like 12 or 13 quarts of trans oil to do it. And any best kind of recommended fluid? Thanks again. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danbennett2u Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Subies dont seem to be picky about the brand, just follow what it calls for in the manual which I beleve is a dexron type. I have no knowledge about whether a flush can be done on a subaru tranny sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987687 Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Merc/dextron II is what you want. People have mixed opinions on the tranny flush. They say it can dislodge gummed up stuff and create blockages. I've never done it, though. So no personal experience there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Flushes are fine, either by repeated drain and fills or power flush, just make sure no chemicals are used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1997reduxe Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 And I forgot to ask, when you're doing the drain and fill you're dropping the pan and cleaning off residue (and is there a screen to clean?) Or just draining and filling? I know I've heard some people who are of the impression that if a trans has like over 200k on it and it's running good, don't disturb it at all, other than adding fluid if necessary. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted June 9, 2012 Share Posted June 9, 2012 Thiss may help when i do theese trannys i use the cherry picker with a long strap lower it down from above and hook to were the strut brace bolts up then you can lift it up on the front while someone holds up the back works very well and no heavy lifting and it will hang so you can move it into place thiss is how i did them for years untill i got a hoist and tranny jack. I charge 500 for install with a cherry picker and a buddy should take you about 4 hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987687 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 And I forgot to ask, when you're doing the drain and fill you're dropping the pan and cleaning off residue (and is there a screen to clean?)Or just draining and filling? I know I've heard some people who are of the impression that if a trans has like over 200k on it and it's running good, don't disturb it at all, other than adding fluid if necessary. Dan To change the filter you have to drop the pan anyway. I didn't, just because I didn't feel like it. But I'm probably going to this summer. On the last change it's a good idea to drop the pan, change the filter, and clean the magnet. If the magnet is saturated with metal, it won't collect anymore. So as stuff wears, there's more and more metal circulating the transmission. I'm not in the camp of "if it's working don't maintain it". That's just dumb. If it's working well change the fluid and take care of the damn thing. It's like saying "my engine has 200k and it runs well, so I'm not going to change the oil anymore". If changing the fluid and filter disturbs the transmission and makes it stop working, it was messed up to begin with. And be glad it died in your driveway rather than 500 miles from home. Mine is 500 miles shy of 250k and running damn fine. Why should I stop maintaining it now? I don't want to change it, I'll take care of it till the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1997reduxe Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 (edited) yeah I just thought I'd throw that out there about trans anti-maintenance. To tell the truth after I said it I thought how that kind of philosophy probably was bigger in the old days when cars, particularly American ones, often didn't make it to, or much more than 100k. (The 80s, K-cars etc.) (Tho I did think that I heard it on this forum once or twice.) But I have to say in my experience with Legacys, if you buy one or are looking to, and they possibly didn't change the fluid recently, the fluid is clear or pink, not burnt, and no major leaks, then you are probably very good for a long long time. My 97 I think I got the flush when I bought it, it eventually had a small leak, and when it would start slipping I'd fill it a little, and it went like that till I sold it at like 325k, which again, was a mistake. And BTW, SUBARU3, sent you a PM about a good Texan source for Sube work, though down here towards Houston, FYI. Edited June 11, 2012 by 1997reduxe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
987687 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I've seen it posted on here before. It just annoys me because it's silly not to maintain something that works. And yes, auto trans is probably the most neglected thing on a car. That and the brake system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUBARU3 Posted June 12, 2012 Author Share Posted June 12, 2012 Thanks for all the good information guys! I'm still on the fence about swapping, but leaning toward selling the low mileage one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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