AWD durability soft-roading (sand)

[ZsSubie]

I got to thinking, after reading through this section, how durable is the AWD/clutches in this thing? I do a lot of sand soft-roading here and the AWD would be working a lot compared to a proper locked transfer case. My biggest worry is heat. The biggest fan assisted trans cooler I can fit on it will help with the tranny, but not sure about the rest of the system.

They do 250km desert fun drive here across the desert that we do, I know the Outback will not have any problems with the terrain, but not sure how the AWD will hold up mechanically. The event is held over 2 days so it not a straight 250km's and a lot of its on sand track, but the AWD will be working. Its done in January so the the weather is cooler.

Reading here, most just do a little sand soft-roading for not very far.

Thoughts ......

Chris

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by ZsSubie

I got to thinking, after reading through this section, how durable is the AWD/clutches in this thing? I do a lot of sand soft-roading here and the AWD would be working a lot compared to a proper locked transfer case. My biggest worry is heat. The biggest fan assisted trans cooler I can fit on it will help with the tranny, but not sure about the rest of the system.

They do 250km desert fun drive here across the desert that we do, I know the Outback will not have any problems with the terrain, but not sure how the AWD will hold up mechanically. The event is held over 2 days so it not a straight 250km's and a lot of its on sand track, but the AWD will be working. Its done in January so the the weather is cooler.

Reading here, most just do a little sand soft-roading for not very far.

Thoughts ......

Chris

Chris my understanding of any limited diff or for that matter AWD system is that any surface that allows tires to slip greatly reduces the loads and friction on the AWD system. It's the pavement where tires do not slip that causes the issue given the tires do not slip when one loads up more than the other thus putting a high strain on the drive bits and clutches. I wouldn't worry about it pavement and no slip is the biggest issue. For you it will be tire durability and having a low energy exit strategy for getting stuck.

[rockhopjohn]

I don't think you'll have problems, I have done my share of soft roading, and my car has held up quite well. One thing you will want to remember is that all of the stuff that transfers power back and forth is in the center diff, which uses gear oil, and in the case of the AT does not communicate with the AT fluid in any way. This gear oil is much more robust than ATF, and in this application doesn't get too hot, and never gets into temp ranges that make it susceptible to break down by heat.

[Scooby]

Autos work great in sand...Get a trans cooler a small one is all you need..
I run sythetic which deals with heat better than regular atf.

I've run alot of (wot)
hard miles on the sand with no problems..


Manual trans.
Don't as well do to higher gearing and stock clutches I've seen burned up easily.
Get an aftermarket stage one exedy clutch. If your gonna tear it up..

Note: If your burn the clutch out there..let it cool down for 20min or so It should get ya home..Smells bad ..
It will be time for a new one..

[AoD915]

Scooby, any particular transmission cooler you recommend?

[Scooby]

Originally Posted by AoD915

Scooby, any particular transmission cooler you recommend?

Hayden makes a good cooler. However, I'm not partial to any brand.
Just measure the area the area you have to fit one in. It doesn't have to be big at all . If you were towing like an F350 that's another story.

[arthuruscg]

I believe the center diff uses AT but the front diff uses separate gear oil.

[jp1203]

I wouldn't worry about it. Just the fact that there are tons of Subarus up over 200k that have never had any issues with the AWD speaks for itself. Maybe even most of them that make it that far never have AWD issues...it's a fairly bullet-proof system.

[LosAngelesLGT]

Originally Posted by Scooby

Get an aftermarket stage one exedy clutch. If your gonna tear it up..

DO NOT GET AN EXEDY STAGE 1 CLUTCH UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
It is loathsome
It is stupidy heavy
It chatters badly
It modulates poorly
It has a cheap POS throw out bearing

CLUTCHMASTER feels stock and is better
COMP is way better still

Ive had a few different clutch setup in an 05-09 LGT/OBXT

[highest_vision]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesLGT

DO NOT GET AN EXEDY STAGE 1 CLUTCH UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
It is loathsome
It is stupidy heavy
It chatters badly
It modulates poorly
It has a cheap POS throw out bearing

CLUTCHMASTER feels stock and is better
COMP is way better still

Ive had a few different clutch setup in an 05-09 LGT/OBXT

Perhaps they are different for 05+. I have an Exedy in my car, for 30k or so. It is no heavier than stock. It does not chatter. It engages fine. I used a different throwout bearing that is for use with a quill, no comment.

James