I'm getting the dreaded difficult downshifting issues, where I cannot get into first unless I'm at a near complete stop and downshifting into 2nd is also getting difficult. I read through the diagnostic section in the Subaru Service manual about this issue and they mentioned to check to see if the clutch is properly disengaging. I could not find out how to perform this from the service manual. Does anyone have any idea how to determine if the clutch is properly disengaging?

-Eric

I'm getting the dreaded difficult downshifting issues, where I cannot get into first unless I'm at a near complete stop and downshifting into 2nd is also getting difficult. I read through the diagnostic section in the Subaru Service manual about this issue and they mentioned to check to see if the clutch is properly disengaging. I could not find out how to perform this from the service manual. Does anyone have any idea how to determine if the clutch is properly disengaging?

-Eric

If the clutch isnt disengaging then the car will probably move with the clutch all the way down in a gear with no brakes on a flat surface. I have the downshift problem and from what I've heard, seen, and experienced... that synchro just plain old sucks. We got screwed, so make the best of it. Learn to rev-match back into first. I used to grind at 5mph when I didnt rev-match, now I can get into first st 20mph smoothly :D

Rich