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Signs Of A Dying Trans? (5spd)


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'96 OBW, 198k, 2.2l 5spd

 

My trans growls. It's been growling for 70k miles. I noticed that is was a bit loud when I bought it at 120k, but it didn't really trip any alarms for me and some cars are just louder then others so that combined with the price I was paying, I didn't really think much of it. Since this was my first Subaru, I didn't really have any past experience to compare to.

 

I changed the trans fluid after purchase with no change in noise. It's been pretty consistent in the volume and quality of growl until around 185k when I did the clutch. Since then it has gotten louder, to the point that when I'm in 1st letting the computer idle me along I can really hear it.

 

I know it's bearings, my question is:

 

What should I expect. That is, what's going to be the first thing I notice that tells me I HAVE to do something? Is it going to start popping out of gear? Is it going to grind itself to oblivion?

 

Should I try and fix this? Obviously, I don't know a lot about the innards of transmissions (or else I could answer my own question) but I am a quick study and I'd love to take one apart.

 

So what say you?

 

Thanks!

 

Will-

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not wanting to spend the time, i'd replace it. your transmission is easy to find cheap and they are robust enough that used ones are typically in great shape. and it's not hard to find a known good one.

 

true, but then you are back to waiting for it to fail again.

 

Replacing the bearings in the trans is not too hard, just very messy(gear oil everywhere)

 

The front main shaft bearing just slides off

 

the larger rear main shaft bearing you need a press. Or you could just take the mainshaft to a shop and have the new bearing pressed on.

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If I were dependent on this car to get around I would buy a used unit first and then repair this one. Since I have other cars I can drive (once I fix their problems!), I'll just go for it. I've taken some motorcycle gear boxes apart, but never one for a 4 wheeled vehicle so this looks like a good excuse.

 

So since I'm changing bearings, if I change the two on the secondary shaft (or whatever it's called) that would make for all them (besides the diff.) right? Does someone sell a "kit" for seals and bearings? I tried looking at some of the online dealers and they don't list transmission components, just the whole thing. I can take a drive down there, but if someone happens to know...

 

Thanks!

 

Will-

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