[wagontime]

My 97 outback AWD has been shifting hard between first and second. Lags downshifting from 2nd to 1st somewhat, too.

Weird thing is only happens when I am accelerating lightly. If I accelerate hard, it seems to shift pretty smoothly.

ATF level is fine. Fluid does not seem burned.

I'm a pretty competent shadetree mechanic, but this is my first AWD car, so I don't know much about chasing down problems with AWDs. I've heard about varying front and rear tire treads affecting the trans, but I have no idea what the tolerances are.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Automatic transmission, 2/5L

 

[gbhrps]

The tread difference is one quarter of an inch in diameter. All the tires need to be within this measurement of each other, or damage is done.

As for the tranny hard shifts, maybe its time for a tranny fluid change and possibly an additive designed to clean up the seals and valves?

 

[RobLog]

Fluid does not seem burned.

^This means almost nothing. Our cars love fresh ATF. If it's been awhile since the last change, I'd do 2-3 drain-and-fills and see if that improves shifting ... it often does. If you DIY it, shouldn't cost more that $50-60. Trans-X trans additive also seems to work well in our cars to ease shifting problems. Search the forum for more info.

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...anging-automatic-transmission-fluid-easy.html

 

[Redilyn]

My 98 acts the same way, Flushing of the fluid made no differance in my case.

I believe I read somewhere that this can be caused by a failed dropping resistor.

Honestly it doesnt bother me so I havent tried to fix it besides the fluid change (which I would have done anyways).

 

[scoobythesubie]

I've got the same issue. I changed the fluid and it helped for awhile, but I think I'm gonna try an additive. Either Lucas or the Trans-x(I think?). Anyways, let you know how it goes.

 

[canubaru]

The tread difference is one quarter of an inch in diameter.

NO NO NO

this is a typo.

it is 1/4 inch in CIRCUMFERENCE. big difference!

the hard 1 - 2 shift is very common. especially in older trans. but even when new, these auto trans have a 1 - 2 shift that is harder than most. i hear it is one of the things that make them more hardy, but i don't really know. they give up some comfort for durability. but i don't know anyone who has owned one since new to ask.

i have also read, only one time though, that a fluid ''flush'' caused a harder shift. and this is one reason why a drain and fill 3 times is recommended. the conclusion there was dirt in the valve body messing with a shift solenoid. i toyed with the idea of replacing the valve body, but when i tried harvesting one i realized the task was more than i could do.

so i just live with my son calling my 97 GT a jerky turkey .

 

[canubaru]

trans-x has been found to correct a very specific problem in the 99 - 00/1 auto trans, slow to engage. and it does it well. but i do not know of it doing any good in any other years for any other problems. it will not hurt your trans but do not expect any improvement.

a bad dropping resistor will cause a harder shift. but it will also cause a flashing AT Temp light.

 

[plain OM]

NO NO NO

this is a typo.

it is 1/4 inch in CIRCUMFERENCE. big difference! . . . . .

Indeed!!!

(http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...umference-spec-confirmed-subaru-techtips.html)

 

[cardoc]

Subaru trans fluid change is recommended every 30k with the spin on filter replacement. Drain and fill then change the filter on the last fill. The hard shift is high main pressure when the shift solenoid opens. 2nd gets high pressure for 2nd gear starts, but a good flush out with filter may help ease the kick.

 

[mrprovo]

My subaru legacy shifts hard from 1-2 as well i did a diagnostics on it and both the a and b shift solenoids are reading bad. I have gotten alot of help from this website and all you guys. I am planning to do it myself soon. I am currently in the process of changing many parts because the guy i bought the car from apparently hasnt changed anytjing. I went to change my spark pluggs and the entire inside of one spark plug boot was RUSTED to the spark plug...after the solenoids im doing new gaskets with the spark plugs and changing valves.