1997 Subaru Legacy L - 2.2L No Engagement

[bakerauto]

Got a 1997 Subaru Leagacy w/2.2. Get no engagement and a grinding noise--forward and reverse.
Any ideas?

[Rich]

Sounds like it needs starter.

[bakerauto]

Starts fine, just when you put it in forward/reverse will not engage and a grinding noise occurs. First came into shop with this problem, R&R transmission, all new fluids. Was fine for 2 days, customers came back with same problem next day. Clueless here....

[Rich]

I'd have to call my buddie at the dealer, but if you can start it and it grinds forward or reverse i am thinking transfer case. Nothing moves? not even a drive shaft?

this is AWD isn't it? Subies are mostly 4x4, but maybe not this one. I am leaning toward t-case.

Becareful with the u-joints, can't replace them, shaft is $700.00+ (i just bought one for mine)

[bakerauto]

Just replaced tranny. First one had same problem. Now this one is doing same thing. Wondering if this is a common problem and maybe i got a tranny with a bad transfer case?

[Rich]

when its on the hoist does either drive shaft spin? can u do it by hand and see what you can feel?

[bakerauto]

Dont have it currently on lift. Had to take a mind break from this one! This problem starts approx. after driving 2 hours. When you raze it up then it will go into gear, at idle is when it grinds and not engage.

[steven kiser]

exactly what was replaced and in what order. this could be a bad nipple in the differential or partial engagement between part and full time 4w drive.

[bakerauto]

Only thing replaced was the transmission. No other work has been done on this vehicle at our shop

[Pauls Automotive]

I've had this problem with a suby befor. It was the center differentail. Its a bolt on item to the transmision if I remember right. It was a $650 part. I had the same problem on an AWD Audi also. That was even bigger bucks. It's a common problem for them. My dealer had the parts in stock. I believe it is listed on Identifix also.

[steven kiser]

let's add mercedes 4matics to that list, ford escapes to. i've found that lube shacks don't check the fluid in these. they are stand alone and need to be checked. if i'm remembering correctly there is a nub shaft that fails. if you get a used unit (he said unit) make sure the shaft is with it. i've had occasions where the shaft remained with the transmission when it was separated. this is the shaft that sticks out of the transmission and goes through the gear box. it's the trough shaft. the ones i've seen have the teeth stripped out on the inside. look real close because on initial inspection the may look fine. if there is any rust od filings in there replace it.

[bakerauto]

Thanks for info. I will let you know what i come up with.