Ducky23 Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 My 2000 Legacy Outback is a 5-speed. And first gear jerks the car around if I don't have the RPMs perfectly feathered until the clutch is all the way out. And fourth gear grinds 85% of the time. I've found that if my RPMs are around 3,000 it doesn't grind, and if I slip it in slowly it doesn't seem to grind as often as well. I don't know how to check my transmission fluid, to be completely honest.. This car is a lot newer than anything I've ever owned before, and I'm somewhat intimidated by the modernity of it. Any advice on what's causing these issues, how to fix it, and how to check the tranny fluid..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 (edited) there is a dipstick on the right (US pass.) side back near the firewall. Its yellow handle may be covered in grease. Consider having another driver try driving the car to see if they have the same issues shifting. I had to make 3-4 small seat adjustments, and drive for a a coupla weeks, in my WRX to get OK with the clutch/tranny. Still stall the car every 8-10 months w'ever. I try to get off the clutch in the first few inches/foot of travel. you could have a transmission problem. maybe get a mechanic to drive it. If the fluid is old, get some quality GL-5 or Subaru Extra-S in there. If it's already been replaced - but someone used a synthetic fluid, well, some people report problems with the synthetics not allowing the synchros to spin properly for smooth shifting. Sometimes problems with shifter bushing or motor/tranny mounts makes shifting tricky. Edited March 13, 2014 by 1 Lucky Texan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poolskaterpt Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Try adjusting the clutch to your liking for release point. Make sure it is fully disengaging and re-engaging to allow for smooth shift. The MT really hates the synthetic fluids, I use Lucas oil 75/90 non synthetic and it cleared up the harsh downshift into second and first that was note able when I first for my 99 Outback Sport as the kid I got it from was running synthetic with limited skip additives. You do not need an oil with limited slip additives as the center diff is a sealed unit. Just straight gear oil GL-5 grade is the way to go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducky23 Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Thanks! My mechanic friend brought the car home for me, and he noticed the tranny problem in the beginning. He told me to check the fluid and possibly start running full synthetic. But I never got around to it, mostly because I was unsure how to do that. I'm not confident with trannies because I usually don't work on them. I've had others be unable to drive it because they stall out at start up. It's somewhat finicky, but I have patient feet. And I've had a year to adjust and get it perfect. But it's not an operator issue, it's the transmission itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 (edited) maybe the previous owner had synth in there. as mentioned above, get some name brand GL-5 non-synth, non-additive in there. If it still misbehaves severley, probably a trashed gear inside. You MIGHT be able to maybe it by 'double clutching' between gear changes, but a repair or tans swap might be best. As a last ditch effort, you could try Scotty's Cocktail as outlinmed in this huge thread at NASIOC; http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=920674 , Quote OK.....v3 cocktailONEMORET I M EFOR THE SUBARU 5MT TRANSMISSIONS O N L Y!!!!!I CAN NOT CONDONE AND DO NOT PROMOTE THE USE OF THE MIX OF PRODUCTS INTHIS POST OR IN THIS THREAD OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN ANY OTHER TYPE OFTRANSMISSION!!!!USE IN ANY OTHER TRANSMISSION AT YOUR OWN RISKFavorable results reports of using the 'cocktail' in othertransmissions are all over the internet, but I can not verify any ofthese.The 'cocktail' was not and is notintended to 'fix' or 'band aid' transmissions that are worn orfailing.....it WAS AND IS intended to smooth shifting make manipulationof the transmission less problematic than other than other availablefluids ONLY.All sorts of idiot bull**** has been posted and IS NOT TRUE.DON'T BELIEVE IT.2qt 80w90 Castrol HypoyC(NOW labeled Axle Limited Slip 80W-90 by Castrol in North America) NO stupid PM's on this either 1qt Redline HEAVYWEIGHT SHOCKPROOF....NOT the LIGHTWEIGHT!!!1qt Penzoil 'SYNCHROMESH' transmission fluid....the GM synchromesh fluidPN 12345349 is available at any GM dealer and can be used if thePenzoil product is not available....the Penzoil one IS better.__________________________________________________ _________1) FOR BEST RESULTS DRAIN THE TRANSMISSION FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES...REMOVE the trans dipstick and use a funnel(see below) with a long spout....Pour the WHOLE BOTTLE of the HEAVYWEIGHT SHOCKPROOF(NOT THE LIGHTWEIGHT) into the trans....2) Pour EXACTLY 1/2 of ONE of the bottles of CASTROL into the now empty shockproof bottle and shake it gently.....and pour THAT into the trans3) Pour ALL REMAINING CASTROL PRODUCT into the trans.4) Pour EXACTLY 1/3 of the 'synchromesh' into the trans and replace the dipstick5) Drive car in a NORMAL AND RATIONAL AND REASONAL MANNER using ALL the gears INCLUDING REVERSE.....6) Park car on LEVEL surface....wait at least 20 minutes and check trans fluid level.....top up with the synchromesh product.THE 5MT TRANSMISSION DOES NOT LIKE TO BE AT ALL UNDER FILLED....A BIT OVER FILLED IS BETTER THAN ANY UNDERFILL AMOUNT.OVERFILLING THE TRANSMISSION S L I G H T L Y IS NO BIG DEAL.....DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT. NO stuid pm's or posts on this pleaseALWAYS POUR S L O W L Y.....or ya may end up with it all over UNDER the car and NOT in the trans where ya want it these funnels work great...and no need to take the IC off http://www.tools2parts.com/Blitz-606..._7c2023_d_0355\POUR SLOWLY....think glacial, here. but, the money spent on a coupla fluid changes might be better spent on a trans swap. (note, any trans swap MUST have a final drive that matches your rear diff) Edited March 13, 2014 by 1 Lucky Texan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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