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Drive train binding in a weird way


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Hi all, i am new to the forums and fairly new to being a subaru owner. I also posted this in another forum

here's my strange issue:

I have a 1995 legacy outback with a manual transmission. last weekend a buddy and I replaced my clutch, since it was worn and slipping. The install went pretty smooth. after the install, we tested the operation while it was still on the lift and it made a whirring noise. we lowered it down and tried reversing it out of the shop, and the rear wheels were locked up and sliding across the shop floor. we put it back up on the lift and found no issues. we lowered it again and it worked fine.

a day later, I drove it to a friends house and we stopped to get some beers and it started binding up in the parking lot, it felt like the E-brake was on halfway...
after we got out of the store, the car drove fine.

the next day on the way to work, it kept happening while at a stop light, here's the weird part...

when I drive forward, it binds up like the brake is on, but if I put it in neutral and then let out the clutch pedal, the binding goes away, I can shift back into first gear,  and it drives fine. then this evening it got a bit worse, it would not free up when I released the clutch in neutral, but when I pulled up on the pedal with the top of my foot, it would finally free up the binding.

I have searched many times to find people with this issue, no luck. it does not do anything weird when I turn, as some people have had problems with turning and tires jumping...

any help would rock, thanks a ton to you guys and gals!

-Jared in Portland OR

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gear oil is full?

 

was this transmission operating perfectly 100% fine without issues (besides clutch slipping) before the work was done - or was this a car you recently got and don't know?

 

you adjusted the clutch cable after installing the new clutch?

 

what all did you replace?  just the clutch?  what about throw out bearing and pressure plate?

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gear oil is full?

 

was this transmission operating perfectly 100% fine without issues (besides clutch slipping) before the work was done - or was this a car you recently got and don't know?

 

you adjusted the clutch cable after installing the new clutch?

 

what all did you replace?  just the clutch?  what about throw out bearing and pressure plate?

gear oil is good, checked and filled it at the end of clutch change service.

trans was working properly before, I have had the car for about 8 months. cluthc cable adjustment was a bit weird as it felt like it engaged a bit quick, so the nut is down about as far as it goes on the cable end.

 

replaced clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, and throwout bearing

Edited by alphahinge
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Most of the time if there's no issue before hand but is after some work is done - something is wrong with the installed parts.

 

You had the same symptoms twice after dropping the trans and checkign things again?

 

Can't imagine this being anything but how did clutch alignment go - you had the tool or are confident it went in properly? 

 

Maybe they're the wrong part or problematic in some way.  Can you verify part numbers - still have the packaging from each part (not just a packing slip or receipt or order form - but the actual product package)?

Or installation went wonky.  I bought a clutch kit clearly labeled 2.7 liter XT6 clutch kit and it is not an XT6 clutch kit.

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Yes, the hill holder is actuated by the lower cable on the clutch fork.

 

Loosen the adjusting nut all the way until the cable is loose. The tighten just until the cable starts to pull on the lever on the actuator on the frame rail below the master cylinder. The spring on the lever helps to pull the clutch fork forward slightly which keeps the release bearing from dragging when the clutch is not being used.

 

If you have a slight hill nearby you can test the release point of the hill holder.

Facing up-hill, trans in neutral, push the clutch pedal down, then press the brake hard and release. Slowly release the clutch pedal, and you will feel the car start rolling when the holder releases.

Properly adjusted, the hill holder will release just as the clutch begins to engage. If it holds the car while facing down hill, the holder is adjusted way too tight.

Edited by Fairtax4me
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Yes, the hill holder is actuated by the lower cable on the clutch fork.

 

Loosen the adjusting nut all the way until the cable is loose. The tighten just until the cable starts to pull on the lever on the actuator on the frame rail below the master cylinder. The spring on the lever helps to pull the clutch fork forward slightly which keeps the release bearing from dragging when the clutch is not being used.

 

If you have a slight hill nearby you can test the release point of the hill holder.

Facing up-hill, trans in neutral, push the clutch pedal down, then press the brake hard and release. Slowly release the clutch pedal, and you will feel the car start rolling when the holder releases.

Properly adjusted, the hill holder will release just as the clutch begins to engage. If it holds the car while facing down hill, the holder is adjusted way too tight.

thanks a ton! I wasn't even aware it had a hill holder, I will adjust it after work today. that totally explains the exact symptoms. you guys rock!

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