What are the Common problems with Early Legacys

[I)arkZrobe]

Ok the GL I was looking at fell through but there is a 91 legacy wagon I have been eyeing, what are some things that I should know about them? Problems improvements from the GLs etc.

 

Thanks for your time.

 

(It might take me a awhile to respond I am going to a place without internet connections )

[86ruguy]

auto or stick?

[Manarius]

Uhh....Torque Bind is the most common one I think for the Auto's. It's really not that bad if you just drive correctly. For the manuals and auto's, wheel bearings tend to be an annoyance as well.

[Virrdog]

This was covered very recently in the New Gen thread... since this is sort of a new gen question.

[edrach]

I own a '91 Legacy wagon as a daily driver and it is pretty much bullet-proof compared to my '86 GL wagon. Axles are much easier to replace and general repair work is easier in almost all cases when compared to the GL/Loyale series. Handling and power are both vastly improved also. Mine is a 5 speed manual AWD transmission; I wouldn't give you a nickel for the automatics. For every 10 early Legacies I see at the local Pull a Part yard, 9 are automatics (might be that there are more automatics to start with).

[Gloyale]

My 93 Legacy has an automatic. Works great. 290,000 original miles. No torque bind and the AWD kicks rump roast in the snow, no waiting for the Viscous diff to heat up before power transfer.

[heartless]

loving my 90 Legacy LS wagon, AWD, 4EAT.

 

if AWD, you need to keep up on tires, all the same size, make etc, and air pressure!

 

If it has the factory air suspension (LS AWD wagon w/auto), might think about doing the coilover swap. the early "climate controls" tend to have some minor issues with solder joints going bad, but that is usually an easy fix.

 

if the price is right, go for it! they are great cars.

[porcupine73]

Should be good. Yes if AT check for FWD fuse and torque bind of course (and verify it is an AWD, not just FWD). Also if AT verify that the external ATF filter was installed, or install one yourself. Also once in a while these need some sort of check valve put in the cooler circuit line to the torque converter from draining it's ATF back into the pan.