97 outback sport 5-speed questions

[RussellW]

I'm going to pull out trans in my 97 impreza and attempt to repair it.Is it easier to remove engine and trans as one unit,remove engine then trans or try to remove trans by itself?I've had the engine out twice and never-seized everything,so it will come out easy.Also,are bearing,bushing,synchros available for this trans.The problem started out as a gear whine when downshifting-I stopped downshifting and used brakes only.I drove it easy,gave it to my son and instructed him on how to drive it,now it has a screeching bearing sound.I want to fix this one if it is feasible,I know a used one is a gamble because of their inherent problems.Any help would be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance!

[CoupedUpSubie]

You can drop it from under as a unit but the steering and everything has to come with it. It all depends on how you will do it. On a lift or jack stands. Putting the trans back in and lining it up is the toughest part from what everyone has said if they just drop the trans. I believe you can get all the internal parts from Subaru.

[Fairtax4me]

Screaching sound? Doesn't bode well. Does it only make this sound when moving? Does it make any noise if idling in neutral? Does it go away if you depress the clutch pedal to the floor and hold it?

 

Usually easiest to pull the trans by itself, it isn't hard to bring it out from under with a large floor jack.

 

A rebuild is way too costly on these. Synchro replacement means disassembling the shafts entirely, which means you need a press, and a few special tools to hold everything and press new parts off/onto the shafts.

 

Without a press... This puller barely got just the main shaft roller bearing loose on the one I just worked on a few months ago:

And that is a standard sized folding metal chair it's sitting on. Those puller jaws are roughly 16".

 

I'm thinking you might have a worn transfer gear set, or bad bearing on one of the transfer shafts. Those can all be inspected and replaced if necessary without even removing the transmission from the car. Though it is much easier to work on a transmission on a bench.

[RussellW]

Thanks for your input.