Tearing down a Subaru Automatic Transmission | Part 1

In this episode of dirtcheapdaily, Aaron starts taking apart the Outback 4eat he picked up for free! This is just part 1, but Aaron goes over how to convert an auto trans to RWD just like he did with the Legacy GT a couple years ago.
Yes there's a lot of talking at the end of the video. Skip it if you don't care.

[@LamarLenhardt]

I completely love this teardown

[@dabertspracklin3086]

Love the teardown. I just need to replace my transmission. Thank you for sharing how to make it work as a solid rear wheel drifter automatic, very helpful. Drifting is always the answer.

[@beaulinn3022]

This video is real old now but theres a way easier way of making your auto subaru RWD, those clutches youre talking about are controlled by a solenoid, if you disconnect that solenoid and replace it with a dummy load so the TCM doesnt freak out it locks perminantly, then just pop the front driveshafts out and voila! instant RWD I had to do this on my 2002 Legacy because i blew both front CVs and needed to drive while i saved up for new ones

[@georgekush5665]

How well did that hold up for you??

[@crazyDIYguy]

Brilliant I'm about to scrap an 03 outback 4eat and am definitely looking into the above method you mentioned, makes sense.😎👍🤞

[@stanleethustler6030]

Please give more information about the procedure, like location of that particular solenoid and where exactly to supply the dummy load

[@wheturereokeefe5231]

Where is the solenoid my forester needs this asap

[@Broke_Toys]

Interesting! Thanks for the video! I was wondering where part two was until I noticed that this video is six hours old. I just bought a dirt cheap 99 gt with an extra 4eat in the trunk but i can't seem to get the input shaft in the last 1/2". It's also difficult in the one i dropped out but I still manage it in like a minute. I'm thinking of pulling the bell housing apart to see if the splines for the end of the input shaft can be swapped out easily. Also, I agree with the parking lot drift idea; I think anyone would be lucky to successfully correct a slide that has never experienced one. Thanks again!

[@raydemos1181]

I had a ford maverick in the 70s with manual steering and manual breaks, it is a wonder i am still here on this earth writing this, this was in a winter climate

[@s.r.sautomotiverepairs8806]

I agree with your emergency drift idea. I do the same. It's came in handy a few times. And thank you aaron. My brother wants me to do a rear wheel drive swap on his impreza.

[@Dirtcheapdaily]

+Seth Schnell do it!!

[@AustinFuori]

Thumbs up for you not cutting the entire case crashing into the floor of the shop lol. Shit happens.

[@bmanjohnson51]

i was watching you pull the pan off and was "ok this cant be that bad of a job, then you pulled the valve body off and was like"so far so good" then it came out and all fell apart and then i was like "NOPE!" haha

[@thomasstaples]

“This gear here” at about 3:23, would be the center dif/mpt transfer clutch

[@stevemasterson7776]

Always drop the pan to clean the magnets, the screw on filter is cool though

[@mb4lunch]

It's like a motorcycle clutch in there.. Multi-plate and fully submerged. Cool.

[@theghost6412]

exact same, a wet clutch.

[@midnightdrives5112]

First!!! Cool video. I always wanted to see what the inside of a 4eat looks like for when mine need rebuilding or whatever.

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I had a SVX 92 year. I finely figured out that the rear wheels were not doing any pulling, after looking at KZbin I found out it was most likely "solenoid C" I think it was, in the rear of the transmission, it was a relatively easy fix. and after that it worked as it was supposed to. I could do donuts in snowy parking lots probably not as good as rear wheel drives, I really am not found of solely front wheel drive cars, I really like the rear wheel drives better, but then most of my life that is what I drove, good video, I hope you are not gonna put that transmission back together..lol

[@Dirtcheapdaily]

+MissouriOldTimer lol nope! It's going to the recyclers

[@graham2631]

My fav was a old school bus for doughnuts had a couch in the back lmfao. Front wheel drive doughnuts? Try reverse, enjoy!

[@pawelglodek9651]

I have made my outback 2002 h6 to rwd, in my transmisioni had central diff with clutch pack So job was easy, i Just welded sstelites i central diff and remove gear responsible for front axle nów i pump my back tires to 0,4MPa and burn the rubber with my brave subi

[@dand1654]

Thanks for doing this! I've learned more about my transmission from this video than any other videos or countless forums. Especially the transfer clutch which I'm having issues with.

[@Dirtcheapdaily]

Glad to help out!

[@JacanaProductions]

Me too! My transfer clutch has appeared to have shit the bed too! I suppose you also can drive around in front wheel drive mode for the rest of the poor old cars life.

[@bowmckenzie8368]

Invaluable Video Thanks! Still trying to confirm which of the two cluches is the Hi/ 3rd ? Rear wheeldrive hmmm

[@madmanist]

Why did I watch this for a full 2 Minutes?

[@JacanaProductions]

OK, thank you for explaining how my H6 outback four-speed transmission works. My clutch pack appears to be malfunctioning and I am stuck in front wheel drive mode. Putting in the FW defuse appears to do nothing although I do get some torque binding vibration dimished. Wondering how easy it is to change that clutch pack out assume you have to remove the entire transmission. Transmission seems to be shifting smoothly so perhaps I should just drive in front wheel drive mode for the rest the cars life!

[@stanleethustler6030]

😑 I have a similar issue, how did you overcome the problem??

[@JacanaProductions]

@@stanleethustler6030 you will need a new transmission unless you can find a Subie Expert. Got rid of my H6 2 years ago. No time now to debug an old car.

[@stanleethustler6030]

@@JacanaProductions alright man, let me try replace my duty solenoid before I can actually replace the transmission

[@cameltoeinspector6015]

3:06 TIMBER!!!!

[@scottblahblahblah9409]

You are wise and we think alike thank you for this

[@mariomoreno9954]

Which model is this gearbox? I am lookng for 4EAT gen 1 and 2 Legacy

[@tpc-7175]

Would be great to turn a Subaru into true 4x4 for crawling and low speed trails

[@vijayanchomatil8413]

When do you need to change the 4eat filter?

[@oscarbead]

You are the First person from the lower 48 I've ever encountered who Understands! the Obvious: Learning how to control drifts & slides Should be Part of basic Driver Training. Here, we do that on frozen ponds/lakes. Set out orange traffic cones in a Large rectangle and see how Fast you can make it around both directions. The 360's are lots of fun and Very Instructive. BTW: the Best Reason for wearing a seatbelt is the driver remains able to operate the controls when things Go Sideways! Finally, this is the perfect way to Demonstrate how Totally Retarded all-season tires are for driving on snow/ice even a little below +32F...

[@powerofyourbrains]

Great video dude

[@edcglassworks5771]

Cool video! I have an 02 wrx with a 4eat. The other week it stopped going into park. I pulled the shifter out and inspected the linkage without seeing any obvious problems. Do you know if it could be inside the transmission? It’s a high mileage car but has run well for me. No real issues other than replacing the driveshaft last year.

[@jeremyedwards5950]

Hello, I have a 2001 Subaru Forester with a 2.5 L engine and a four speed automatic transmission. It has about 200k miles on it. I have recently been experiencing trouble going from park to any of the forward gears. Reverse works just fine. I suspect that it is the shift solenoid assembly inside the transmission. I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance. ✌️, Jeremy

[@benjaminmoyo7036]

Good work !

[@Daniel-yb6fy]

Hey is this a "VTD" center diff? Same that would be found in a 5 AT Legacy GT

[@aKiwiJoKeR]

I think you nailed it (not a 4aet & cant be done apparently in a 4 speed)

[@hudsonvalleyrailandriverandair]

Nice flippers

[@yagokaeser3904]

Hi from Argentina, maybe you can help me, you dont take out the selector lever shaft in your video that have a seal, i need to replace it but y dont know if its easy, do you removed it? Sorry for my english! Thanks

[@MegaDj550]

Look at them safty flip flops

[@shannonharris2816]

Yeah, the idea is cool and has merit. A RWD auto converted Subie. Wot you watin' for dude?

[@robertberger8040]

One more thing the three sensors that are also attached that plug to all the servos and all inside the transmission what are they I know one's an in speed sensor ones and outer speed sensor but they got a third one there can you tell me what that is

[@paulpietschinski3282]

My sons tranny is fucked....is it doable to swap out out a tranny...or shud we leave it to a pro....I found a replacement for him

[@jordanxoxo35]

There is also a filter under the on bud

[@mb4lunch]

Wonder how much better MBG a rear wheel drive subie would get?

[@NoSleepRacing]

I tuned 3 of the CHP EVOC drift Cars, they are all auto.

[@mlgez]

Been thinking about converting my 05 STi to rear only. It is not my primary so it is just to goof off with. I may start researching it again (I think that is how I found you on youtube a year ago). Offer still stands if you want to pick up that plasma.

[@Dirtcheapdaily]

+mlgez I'm planning on it! I have a buddy in elk river that I'm gonna come up and visit one of these next few weekends and I'll shoot you a text when I figure out exactly when

[@mlgez]

Sounds good.

[@SkywallGuttz]

I got a 95 legacy for my GF for her Bday as her first car. it has a 4eat trans auto. I was wondering what I can do to it to make it a better car. I live in the NE and she wants to lift it a but ant put AT tires on it. I was thinking of adding 2 buttons to the car for 4x4 and sport mode from the JDM models. any thoughts? I want her to autocross and get into racing to become a better driver.

[@poehdoe4320]

Is 2009 Subaru Legacy transmission fit 2013 legacy??

[@nickd901]

Risky business doing any car job in flipflops. Ouch!

[@mhanyuan89]

Got one moment I thought was Ed Sheeran...

[@reality8031]

My 01' Forester will sometimes will not engage forward, have to rev the engine to shake it to engage forward motion. Have any solutions to fix the Forward engagement ? and what is the cause?

[@Dirtcheapdaily]

Is the trans full of fluid?

[@reality8031]

Yes, had fluid changed too.

[@16480287]

other then putting in the fuse on this subau to make it FWD , with out dropping the rear section of driveshaft , how could I make my trans just FWD

[@Dirtcheapdaily]

remove and plug the drive shaft

[@16480287]

@@Dirtcheapdaily What would I plug it with ! Good idea !

[@thecanadiandetailer]

this video is hilarious ...

[@sukikuri5360]

humpty dumpty had a great fall..👍

[@cesardiazsantiago8544]

y Good idea

[@robertberger8040]

I think it's I think it's great not have to order my clutch and doing what you're talkin about cuz you don't have to worry about the clutch going bad again it's good tip you know anyway I wish you luck on it you have a great day

[@yonihales9133]

I replaced my radiator, plugs and replaced the gear oil in the rear and center today (car had no issues before with the trans, it was strong) and after I finished, the trans was and is still slipping and shutters like crazy in 1st and 2nd and slips in reverse and wont stay in gear over 2500 rpms....any Idea why it would do that rite after the work I did or did my trans just happen to go bad at the exact moment I finished the job possibly?? PS I did not change the trans fluid or filter.

[@kaitheramptruckman7539]

John Hales you probably didn’t put the fluid in the right dipstick hole

[@yonihales9133]

kai Gingerich .....??? are you trolling for a man to put his dip stick in yours?? or trying to be humorous?

[@kaitheramptruckman7539]

John Hales no it’s easily mixed up I’ve seen it several times when I worked at the shop

[@yonihales9133]

kai Gingerich quite possible, the car is gone now (junk yard) wish I knew though

[@kaitheramptruckman7539]

John Hales probably just had to drain and refill in the correct fill tube

[@markharding8042]

Just glad that's not my gearbox lol

[@07Hawkeye]

where did you learn all of this? very interested because i am poor and young, and desperately want to get more power from my lil 07 2.5i. i know there isnt much i can do and ill be extremely lucky if i can make 200hp happen from 173 stock. it is my daily driver, and it is automatic, not much interest in changing that, if i were to do that much work i might as well save up and buy a project wrx. all of that is understandable, ive scoured plenty of forums that tell me dont waste my time/money and just buy a wrx. but i am poor, and young and want to tinker around with my 2.5i simply to learn more with what i have, and maybe have more low end power and throttle response because it is automatic and when i step on the gas it takes a few seconds for it to pick up and move. id just like something that isnt as slow as any basic sedan with the standard 170hp range. so the real question is where did you learn everything? self taught or is there some sort of secret forum that i havent found yet that can help break down everything for me to understand as a noobie to modifying anything.

[@ryanc4544]

Zac B mess around with the car learn the systems and how they work

[@Dirtcheapdaily]

+Zac B I learned most everything by just doing it. I don't frequent any forums because they're all haters who generally haven't ever tried anything themselves. What I do in my 04 wagon is use the automatic like a semi automatic. So I shift it like I would a manual. Lets you control the shift points and actually feel some get up and go. Try it out! I've been doing it for 8 months with no deleterious effects so far👍🏻

[@Dirtcheapdaily]

+Ryan C go find a pull apart junk yard and take stuff apart

[@viktorastveraga9156]

@@Dirtcheapdaily hi. Sorry to enter upto but what do you think ist possible to do in to front wheel drive. My idea is to put this gearboxe and engine in to 1971vw beetle on low budget. So was looking out for videos wich can explain. And i think i find one. Thanks.

[@dabertspracklin3086]

97' legacy. #subiegang #dirtcheap

[@MrOramato]

WTF, why would you take one of the best full time four-wheel drives, that has one of the best ever engineered anti-slip systems ever created and turnTHAT into a drift trainer?

[@SmokeyBear363]

Check balls bro

[@VinSpacker]

Sandals

[@justin6604]

What are those!!?!!!. **point to flip flops**

[@Dirtcheapdaily]

+Justin that's literally what I think every time I wear them, but they're the comfiest things ever

[@determineddad7935]

Dirtcheapdaily I used to make fun of my friend for wearing those. I got a pair and wear them now! Lol Be careful though in your shop.

[@ggmmiillff]

sweet shirt

[@brianhuffstickle5241]

I hope you know more about driving than you do transmissions!

[@Dirtcheapdaily]

+Brian Huffstickle me too. Especially since I get paid to drive. But I guess since you watched the video I got paid to know about transmissions...

[@brianhuffstickle5241]

Dirtcheapdaily never heard of you so I’m not sure what you’re driving as for getting paid for your video if you did I’m Happy for you. Next time send your transmission to our shop and we’ll build you a real transmission that even you will be proud of!

[@Hallowsaw]

@@brianhuffstickle5241 stfu you troll. Your a menace to society.

[@noahsmith1726]

Shawk wrong your

[@luisflores811]

Lástima qué está en inglés abra un chileno que me ayude? Por favor 🇨🇱 un abrazo

[@mariomoreno9954]

que necesitas Luis? yo busco reparacion de la generacion 1 y 2 que aparentemente son iguales, esta es mas nueva me parece

[@jeffsears6946]

Wow smh

[@MileHighMountainAdventures]

You should remove this video it’s horrible

[@supremepizza1]

HAHA, how to destroy a subaru transmission! You know what is also good to have when loosing traction? All wheel drive!

[@utahbones3094]

So much talent wasted on drifting.......LOL!

[@Dirtcheapdaily]

LOL! but it's so much fun!

[@utahbones3094]

Great videos keep them coming.👍

[@milkyway6724]

this guy 🤡

[@MrOramato]

Anyone who wears flip flops to work on mechanics looses all credibility before they start.