Yes, here's part of it:
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/35386-1996-auto-transmission-problems-torque-bind-more.html

 

The easiest way to find out is to find an empty, level parking lot. Try making figure-eights in said parking lot. You should not need much throttle to do so, and shouldn't get shuddering or a lot of vibration. If you experience issues, you probably have torque bind problems.

 

If I do find torque bind related symptoms, whats a way to fix it. I already know I need new tires since one is an oddball make from the other three. Would that more than likely fix it if I do have it?

 

an odd ball tire can cause torque bind. even an under inflated tire can cause it (leaking tire).

auto trans?

put in the FWD fuse and see if it goes away.

and get matching tires.

 

Right. Plus, the longer you run those mismatched tires, the more likely it is for you to cause permanent damage. It puts quite a load on the AWD components because it is constantly trying to compensate for a tire with different circumference.

 

My main problem, is when going up a steepish grade, and the car downshifts into third, it takes the LONGEST time to shift back into forth/overdrive when going down the otherside. In the meantime, it vibrates from underneath, and feels like it's holding back. It's very frustrating, and embarrassing. Is this caused by the odd tire? It also vibrates in overdrive cruising around 70-75mph. Otherwise, the car is decent.

 

any ideas? ^^^

 

doesn't seem like torque bind at all.

has the transmission fluid been changed? what condition is it in? Is it at the proper level?

 

In the meantime, it vibrates from underneath, and feels like it's holding back. It's very frustrating, and embarrassing. Is this caused by the odd tire?

How different is the odd tire? It's a different make, but is it also a different nominal size from the other three? Or, is it the same tire size, but different tread depth, and if so, how different?

The vibration could be due to an odd-size tire, especially when accelerating in a lower gear because the AWD transfer clutch is more fully engaged under those conditions. But it also could be a failing propeller shaft U-joint, a broken rear transmission mount, or other causes.

There's good suggestions above, such as trying it with the FWD/AWD fuse inserted to disable the AWD, and changing the ATF.

There's too many possibilities, especially when we're not there and can't experience the symptoms first-hand. It's better to eliminate them one-by-one. Take it step-by-step and report back on the results.

 

Fuse has already been inserted, and didn't change a thing, so it was removed. The tire says the same size as the other three (205-70-r15) and I believe the tread depth is significantly better on this one. I have not checked the transmission fluid yet. It sat for a year and a half prior to my purchase, so perhaps the fluid change should be done. What is the best stuff to use?

 

A Dex III fluid is fine for your car.

But if you have 1 tire with more tread than the other 3, you're actively damaging your AWD system.

 

Also, you'll need to drain and fill the fluid a few times (3 or so) to get most of it changed. Not all of the fluid in the system is in the pan, so you won't get all of it out from a single drain.

Brucey has a good write-up here: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...ourself-illustrated-guides/5843-changing-automatic-transmission-fluid-easy.html

It's for the 2000-2004 models, but yours shouldn't be too different.

 

The FWD fuse was inserted, and didn't change anything, so it was taken out. The odd tire says it's the same size (205-70-r15) but the tread is significantly deeper. I haven't driven it in a week, and am planning on changing the tires.