Synchro problems (not Land Rover)

[gromit]

One of my boys purchased a cheap ($350) Subaru Liberty and after replacing bushes, engine mounts etc etc I finally took it down to register it today.

It's done 355,000Km and is in OK condition with no rust. My first drive was today and synchro on 5th to 4th, 4th to 3rd and 3rd to 2nd is a bit crunchy. Double de-clutching reduced the problem.
Yes the box is probably a bit tired but adding something like Syntrans would double the value of the vehicle !
Is there any other magic additive that might help in the short term ?

Long term he'll look for another gearbox, only about $150 at a self serve wreckers but you of course take a chance it's OK.


Colin

[justinc]

How is the clutch? You definitely don't want to be rebuilding a the gearbox as some of the bearings are Subaru ONLY...

Have you dropped the oil and had a look? I have had great success with Penrite progear 75w90 in them, however it is still a bit exxy

[gromit]

How is the clutch? You definitely don't want to be rebuilding a the gearbox as some of the bearings are Subaru ONLY...

Have you dropped the oil and had a look? I have had great success with Penrite progear 75w90 in them, however it is still a bit exxy

Thanks Justin,
Oil was changed soon after he got the car with the correct grade but nothing fancy/expensive.

Rebuilding wasn't really an option. Although it's an early Liberty (1989) there is usually a manual version in one of the 4 local self serve wreckers. It's waiting till a low Km one comes up and spending 1/2 a day pulling the box.
Engine is using a bit of oil and the car came with new head gaskets (not fitted) which seem to be a common problem. Previous owner had cooling problems but since we flushed out all the gunk he'd put in the radiator it seems OK.

The young bloke is on L's so after we've done the cambelt and he's got a few Kms in the Scoobydoo we'll have to investigate a box change.

Colin

[justinc]

Thanks Justin,
Oil was changed soon after he got the car with the correct grade but nothing fancy/expensive.

Rebuilding wasn't really an option. Although it's an early Liberty (1989) there is usually a manual version in one of the 4 local self serve wreckers. It's waiting till a low Km one comes up and spending 1/2 a day pulling the box.
Engine is using a bit of oil and the car came with new head gaskets (not fitted) which seem to be a common problem. Previous owner had cooling problems but since we flushed out all the gunk he'd put in the radiator it seems OK.

The young bloke is on L's so after we've done the cambelt and he's got a few Kms in the Scoobydoo we'll have to investigate a box change.

Colin

They are a great vehicle. Yes head gasket oil leaks are a given, and can stay dripping until coolant leaks start👍.
I am a huge fan of them.

[rick130]

You need a GL5 because of the diff.
My go to would be Motul Gear 300, it saved a mate pulling the 'box on a 79 Series recently that was recalcitrant in picking up second without double de-clutching up and down, but it would triple the value of the car! :lol2:

Back in the day the picks were Neo 75-90RHD (quadruple the value of the car!) or Castrols current Syntrax LL Universal 75W-90.

Interestingly Subaru's own mineral based genuine oil has possibly equal to the best shift characteristics of all. God only knows what that costs from a Suby dealer though.....

[Blknight.aus]

as a short term thing.

liquid moly or a tube of CV semifluid grease.