Help!

[thewelsho]

Think its likely to be the diff from what you describe.

Oh good, maybe that will cost less than a new gear box! I hope your right.

[fai17]

Oh good, maybe that will cost less than a new gear box! I hope your right.

I doubt it's the box as it would vary with revs. More like the diff shaft or possible pads after the track. The pads would really need to be goosed to do that tho. Either i hope you get it sorted soon john.

[AlanG]

Sounds exactly like gearbox unfortunately.

The way you describe the symptoms Welsho is the same as what i've experienced over the years.

You're probably hearing the broken teeth off a gear which then catches and either jarrs or jams a gear until it drops and frees motion again.

I wouldn't drive it if i were you as it could lock up solid and then you're stuck needing a lift on to a flatbed.

My failures have never been when under power. They always break when there's little load on the gearbox!

Edited March 19, 2008 by AlanG

[thewelsho]

Sounds exactly like gearbox unfortunately.

The way you describe the symptoms Welsho is the same as what i've experienced over the years.

You're probably hearing the broken teeth off a gear which then catches and either jarrs or jams a gear until it drops and frees motion again.

I wouldn't drive it if i were you as it could lock up solid and then you're stuck needing a lift on to a flatbed.

My failures have never been when under power. They always break when there's little load on the gearbox!

Cheers Alan. If it is a gear box, can it be re-built as opposed to buying a whole new one?

[colin_ross]

Yes, a rebuild is possible. In fact I knw Coulty has a full 5 speed gea***t out of my type r that he's looking to sell. It's shorter ratios but they should be tougher. There's second had boxes-a-plenty available too.

[AlanG]

It can be rebuilt, but the cost of replacement gears/bearings may make it an unviable proposition against sourcing a secondhand gearbox off the usual sources.

If it were me, i'd look for the easy option i.e. get a secondhand gearbox, remove the old and fit the new at the same time as opposed to removing gearbox, sending for repair, awaiting parts (and getting a shock if other items are needed in the rebuild!), then arranging fitting the rebuilt unit after picking it up.

[fai17]

It can be rebuilt, but the cost of replacement gears/bearings may make it an unviable proposition against sourcing a secondhand gearbox off the usual sources.

If it were me, i'd look for the easy option i.e. get a secondhand gearbox, remove the old and fit the new at the same time as opposed to removing gearbox, sending for repair, awaiting parts (and getting a shock if other items are needed in the rebuild!), then arranging fitting the rebuilt unit after picking it up.

If it was a gearbox then AlanG suggestions is best as it takes the least amonut of time.

[AlanG]

Lots of suggestions. Shall we have a sweepstake?

[thewelsho]

If it was a gearbox then AlanG suggestions is best as it takes the least amonut of time.

DILEMA:

Ok what do I do. If I try to get a warranty claim I need to get the car there, let them assess and get the car back if I get a knockback. Then, I have to take the car to whomever I want to install the new box (Hypertech most liekly). As you can see this is a whole lot of hassle.

Alternatively, I need to get the fault diagnosed for certain, then get it transported then get it sorted with 2nd hand bits. This will of course incur the cost of transfer as well.

So any suggestions that can make this all clearer for me!!!?

[st3ph3n]

John, have you jacked the car up yet and checked anything?

If we're having a sweep what are the odds on it being a dead animal trapped under the car?

[P1Andy]

Lots of suggestions. Shall we have a sweepstake?

Would still go for the diff, as happens with engine off, in neutral, just moving car at low speeds and locks up. Would the gearbox cause that to happen?

[thewelsho]

John, have you jacked the car up yet and checked anything?

If we're having a sweep what are the odds on it being a dead animal trapped under the car?

Yeah, jacked it up last night and had a look and there are no visible signs of breakage. When I get home today I am going to jack it up again and check for play in the hubs etc and give the brakes a good look over. If I can't see anything visible then I suppose it has to be gear box or diff (even though I have no idea what a diff is ).

Next I will drive the car at 2 mph down a quiet road and call the AA. That is what I should have done last night when it went about 3 miles from home. I'll get it taken to Subaru and see what they come up with. I don't suppose anyone knows a skilled Scooby mechanic who'd come to the hosue and give me a 100% diagnostic?

[G.T.]

id reckon the gearbox sounds like the same as when mine went

chocolate 5speed gearbox cant handle all that torque you got mate, most likely the 3rd gear thats knackered very common fault with 5speed subaru gearboxes

[higgy]

id reckon the gearbox sounds like the same as when mine went

chocolate 5speed gearbox cant handle all that torque you got mate, most likely the 3rd gear thats knackered very common fault with 5speed subaru gearboxes

I broke my center diff at KH two years ago so that might be what has gone wrong with yours. i could drive the car in a strait line but when i tried to turn it started to skip in the tarmac.

Hope you get it sorted soon

Higgy

[AlanG]

DILEMA:

Ok what do I do. If I try to get a warranty claim I need to get the car there, let them assess and get the car back if I get a knockback. Then, I have to take the car to whomever I want to install the new box (Hypertech most liekly). As you can see this is a whole lot of hassle.

Alternatively, I need to get the fault diagnosed for certain, then get it transported then get it sorted with 2nd hand bits. This will of course incur the cost of transfer as well.

So any suggestions that can make this all clearer for me!!!?

I'd drain the oil and see what's on the magnetic plug.

[johnnyr6]

Hope yopu get it fixed soon john.

A second hand 6spd as alan say's shouldn't be too pricey and is the easiest fix if your warranty claim doesn't work.

Johnny

Edited March 19, 2008 by JohnnyR6

[gus the bus]

Sh*te news John! Hope it isnt the "expensive" item.

Gus

[thewelsho]

id reckon the gearbox sounds like the same as when mine went

chocolate 5speed gearbox cant handle all that torque you got mate, most likely the 3rd gear thats knackered very common fault with 5speed subaru gearboxes

Oh! Now that you say that, the condition is worse in 3rd gear. Looking more and more like a GB - GREAT!

[G.T.]

Oh! Now that you say that, the condition is worse in 3rd gear. Looking more and more like a GB - GREAT!

sorry mate just tring to help

if you are going to get rid of it would it not make more sense to get an STI ,then if you wanted to mod again you have a better model to start with.

A GB270 is just another WRX afterall.

just my tuppence worth

[thewelsho]

sorry mate just tring to help

if you are going to get rid of it would it not make more sense to get an STI ,then if you wanted to mod again you have a better model to start with.

A GB270 is just another WRX afterall.

just my tuppence worth

If I got rid I'd be done with Imprezas and performance cars period. I had my shot, it was great while it lasted but I can't sustain the cost of this rather expensive hobby

[thewelsho]

How do I drain the gear oil to see if there is any particles in it? Also, can I jsut go to any garage and pick up replacement fluied?

[AlanG]

You'll either see remnants of gear in the container and/or you will see metal particles magnetised to the base of the drain plug.

You can pick up gearbox oil easy enough from any motor factors.

[dram300]

I've only got your trackday vids to go on ... you appeared to use 3rd and big rev engine breaking to slow yirsel at the end of the start-finish straight, then horse it straight back on the power into the dip. Thats a lot of stress to put through a wee gear in a short space of time. Just an observation which might be cause ...

Hope it all works out for you.

[thewelsho]

I've only got your trackday vids to go on ... you appeared to use 3rd and big rev engine breaking to slow yirsel at the end of the start-finish straight, then horse it straight back on the power into the dip. Thats a lot of stress to put through a wee gear in a short space of time. Just an observation which might be cause ...

Hope it all works out for you.

well observered. I come under the bridge and lift at the pit exit doing about 110mph before easiing onto the brakes and downshifting from 4th to third. I keep it in third all the way to the back straight thereafter. Upshifting into 4th at about 6.5k before downshifting into 3rd then second as I enter the corner.