danz75 Posted January 28, 2005 Share Posted January 28, 2005 It's time for me to do a transmission fluid/filter change and differential fluid change on my 03 OBW. Almost everyone will say stick to manufacturers transmission fluid and differential fluid. I'm just wondering if there's anything better out there. Just like many on this board recommended Castrol LMA for replacing brake fluid. Other that the local dealer, where's a good place to get a Subaru transmission filter? Thanks a bunch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danz75 Posted January 29, 2005 Author Share Posted January 29, 2005 Any advice/recommendations on this? Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howards11 Posted January 30, 2005 Share Posted January 30, 2005 You will find the ATF filter ONLY at Subaru dealers. ~Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85Sub4WD Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Synthetic gear oil is better, and I would use it (like Mobil 1 75w-90) but follow the specs in your owner's manual first and foremost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yarikoptic Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 You will find the ATF filter ONLY at Subaru dealers. I've got mine at Pep Boys... Does it mean that I've made mistake while looking for a specific model number? (I haven't tried to install it yet) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smpol19 Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 Synthetic gear oil is better, and I would use it (like Mobil 1 75w-90) but follow the specs in your owner's manual first and foremost. Sounds like he's talking about an AT, I haven't worked too much with the automatics but I wouldn't worry to much about the brand fluid as long as its quality. I've heard good feed back about Mobil 1 ATF but haven't tried it myslef. Also just from what I've heard about the filter, definitly go to the dealer for the spin on filter which yours is(looks like an oil filter but people who have opened it say its not on the inside), the 4EAT's before '99 did not have the spin on filter so you don't have to worry as much about who is from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crashton Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 When I changed the tranny fluid & filter on my 2000 Forester I used the Subaru filter & Mobile One synthetic ATF. For the diffs I used Mobile One synthetic 75-90 gear lube. I did the change about 60,000 miles ago & all is well. You won't be able to drain all the ATF out of the tranny. IICR you'll get about 3 to 4 quarts to drain out. I don't remember, but I believe the tranny holds 12 quarts. I drained mine & put new fluid in. Then I drove for a week & repeated. I did this three times, the last time I installed the new filter. One more thing. Take the fill plug out of the reat diff BEFORE you take the drain plug out. If you drain first & you can't remove the filler plug you're truely ##**^%!!! Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camelwagon Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 So what kind of fluid goes for the 85 GL wagon 5spd? And also what kind of differential fluid? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyKeith Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 I've got mine at Pep Boys... Does it mean that I've made mistake while looking for a specific model number? (I haven't tried to install it yet) Your trans has the mesh screen filter that mounts inside the transmission. The newer models have an external thread on filter that I do believe is only found at the dealer. As for fluid stuff, Stick with whatever the owners manual says for weights and types. Diffs should have no issues with using synthetic, but I'd stick to regular ATF for the trans itself. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
friendly_jacek Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 Acctualy, synth ATF is more than fine. It's the manual transmission that is better of with regular gear oil since most synth gear fluids cause problems with synchros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camelwagon Posted August 16, 2005 Share Posted August 16, 2005 I see.. thanks. So is it easy to replace the manual tranny fluid and the differential? Need special tools? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danz75 Posted August 24, 2005 Author Share Posted August 24, 2005 I see.. thanks. So is it easy to replace the manual tranny fluid and the differential? Need special tools?Thanks. My auto tranny fluid was pretty easy to replace. However, I remember reading somewhere(can't find that post) that each drain would be able 4L....I was only able to drain out 3 qts each time(at running temperature). Pretty easy job. I drained it 3 times and on the last time, replaced the filter. My front differential uses the T70 bit to remove the drain plug. I have that on order and have not received it yet. I hope that tool will suffice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camelwagon Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 Theres a front differential too?? Or is that just the tranny? Have you replaced your rear diff fluid? Are the bolts on the side or at the bottom? How do you get the new fluid to stay in there? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danz75 Posted August 24, 2005 Author Share Posted August 24, 2005 Theres a front differential too?? Or is that just the tranny?Have you replaced your rear diff fluid? Are the bolts on the side or at the bottom? How do you get the new fluid to stay in there? Thanks. After I replied to your post, I read your posts on page 1 and think that we're talking about different cars. Mine is a 03 OBW auto so it has a separate front diff/tranny. I'm not sure what the other models have so I would have to refer it to someone more knowledgeble. Sorry for the confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayhawkroy Posted August 24, 2005 Share Posted August 24, 2005 I used standard Mobil Dexron III ATF to change out our 03 Legacy wagon at 30,000 mi. Did not change the AT filter because owner's manual says it is not necessary so long as there are no leaks or other work to be done on the AT. I got 4 out of 9.8 qts out for each drain, and drained it twice over about 1000 miles. Am planning on changing out ATF about every 30K miles. With this schedule, I don't see the value in using synthetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocksnap Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 You can not go wrong changing to a synethic in any of the lubricated internal parts engine, tranny, dif's etc. I did a partial AT fluid swap on a SUV which wsa about 1/2 the fluid it held. Before the swap the center console would get warm enough to melt a choclate bar. After the swap, no more melting! Why did this happen? Less friction along with better heat shedding capabilitles! I just bought an 01' OBW and will be swapping out the tranny (Dextron III), front/rear dif's (75W90) with Redline Oil, a full synethic which I have been using for years with awesome results. I will also be swapping the engine oil with Castrol full synethic which I get CHEAPEST at any BMW dealer for $4.50 a quart. It was $4.00 a quart until a short time ago. I will also swap out the tranny spin on filter which can be bought at the dealer or online a several Subi parts sites. My only question is do I have a tranny shop drop the pan to see if any band adjustments need to be made. Otherwise it is a pretty streight forward job that I can easily do myself. Any help with that question? For a AT filter see subaruwrxparts.com Filter is $25 there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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