AWD. LSD on '99 Legacy?

Deadzep · 01-02-2002, 06:02 PM

I apologize in advance if I say something that makes no sense (-:
I'm new to AWD and Subaru's

I got stuck for the first time in my Legacy the other day. I parked my car in some fairly deep snow and when I woke up, my car had settled down onto the snow so my whole car was basically resting on its frame. My left tires ended up off the pavement on the dirt. Well, with my Potenza R730's (I think that's the model#) tires, I couldn't go anywhere. My left tires just sat there spinning in the mud. my right front was spinning in the snow (hadn't hit the pavement yet) and my right rear (on pavement) was not moving at all.

Now, I thought all newer Subaru's had LSDs on the rear that would prevent my left rear wheel from spinning while my right was not doing anything. Is that not the case?

From what I understand, under normal circumstances, the power is distributed 90/10 front/rear and when front slippage is detected, it goes to 50/50. So is there only a center LSD? Did they change that at a certain model year?

Also my rear defrost is painfully weak. is this common and can it be fixed?

-Rick

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Patrick Olsen · 01-02-2002, 08:31 PM

The rear LSD wasn't added to the Legacy until the '00 model year. I don't even think it was an option before that. I'm not sure about the Legacy Outback - does anyone know if it had a rear LSD before the rest of the Legacy line?

As for the torque split, it depends on the transmission - is yours an automatic or 5 speed? The automatics have the 90/10 split using a computer-controlled center diff. I've seen a great deal of debate about how far the center diff can transfer power in the automatic - some say only 50/50, others say it can go all the way to 10/90. The 5 speed uses a viscous coupling center diff, so it's a 50/50 split by default and I think can go all the way to 100/0 or 0/100, but I'm not sure.

Regardless of what transmission you have you can put in a LSD rear diff from a newer car. I've never done enough research to figure out if the axles will bolt right up or if you'll need other parts to make everything work right.

The weak rear defrost seems pretty common. On some days mine seems like it's on fire, other days it takes forever. My office-mate has a brand new '02 Outback H6 sedan and he has the same complaint about his rear defrost.

Pat Olsen
'97 Legacy 2.5GT sedan

Deadzep · 01-03-2002, 02:58 PM

Hey Pat! (-:

Thanks for the reply. I'm disappointed that my car doesn't have a rear LSD...oh well...I'll get over it

I'll have to call my Subaru dealer and see if they'll give a me price quote on getting one installed before next winter. probably $5-600 or so. <sigh> maybe i'll have to pass on that

-Rick

subarurabbit · 01-03-2002, 04:30 PM

It will probably be over a grand.

Roger

lucien2 · 01-03-2002, 06:38 PM

naw..... rrubel is selling one for what, $500? Plus I bet you could get one from a junkyard, off a wrecked OB or 2.5RS, for $300 or so. Dunno about the axles.

01-02-2002, 06:02 PM	#1
Deadzep Scooby Newbie Member#: 11552 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: SLC, UT Vehicle: '08 Legacy spec b	AWD. LSD on '99 Legacy? I apologize in advance if I say something that makes no sense (-: I'm new to AWD and Subaru's I got stuck for the first time in my Legacy the other day. I parked my car in some fairly deep snow and when I woke up, my car had settled down onto the snow so my whole car was basically resting on its frame. My left tires ended up off the pavement on the dirt. Well, with my Potenza R730's (I think that's the model#) tires, I couldn't go anywhere. My left tires just sat there spinning in the mud. my right front was spinning in the snow (hadn't hit the pavement yet) and my right rear (on pavement) was not moving at all. Now, I thought all newer Subaru's had LSDs on the rear that would prevent my left rear wheel from spinning while my right was not doing anything. Is that not the case? From what I understand, under normal circumstances, the power is distributed 90/10 front/rear and when front slippage is detected, it goes to 50/50. So is there only a center LSD? Did they change that at a certain model year? Also my rear defrost is painfully weak. is this common and can it be fixed? -Rick * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
50\50 AWD split on 99 Legacy?	Zadok	Legacy Forum	7	06-28-2006 05:49 PM
Anyone know what the final drive is on '99 Legacy/OB 4EAT?	whtlegacy	Legacy Forum	7	01-02-2004 12:10 PM
WRX 16's on '99 Legacy Outback	whtlegacy	Tire & Wheel	5	06-18-2003 07:49 PM
Anyone install a front LSD on their Legacy?	HIHO	Legacy Forum	1	05-31-2002 11:56 PM
Immediate help needed: '00 RS Tranny and LSD with axles on '99 OBS?	Geoff	Normally Aspirated Powertrain	22	11-22-2000 06:43 PM

01-02-2002, 08:31 PM	#2
Patrick Olsen NASIOC Supporter Member#: 120 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Where the Navy sends me... Vehicle: 1997 Legacy 2.5GT QuickSilver Metallic	The rear LSD wasn't added to the Legacy until the '00 model year. I don't even think it was an option before that. I'm not sure about the Legacy Outback - does anyone know if it had a rear LSD before the rest of the Legacy line? As for the torque split, it depends on the transmission - is yours an automatic or 5 speed? The automatics have the 90/10 split using a computer-controlled center diff. I've seen a great deal of debate about how far the center diff can transfer power in the automatic - some say only 50/50, others say it can go all the way to 10/90. The 5 speed uses a viscous coupling center diff, so it's a 50/50 split by default and I think can go all the way to 100/0 or 0/100, but I'm not sure. Regardless of what transmission you have you can put in a LSD rear diff from a newer car. I've never done enough research to figure out if the axles will bolt right up or if you'll need other parts to make everything work right. The weak rear defrost seems pretty common. On some days mine seems like it's on fire, other days it takes forever. My office-mate has a brand new '02 Outback H6 sedan and he has the same complaint about his rear defrost. Pat Olsen '97 Legacy 2.5GT sedan

01-03-2002, 02:58 PM	#3
Deadzep Scooby Newbie Member#: 11552 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: SLC, UT Vehicle: '08 Legacy spec b	Hey Pat! (-: Thanks for the reply. I'm disappointed that my car doesn't have a rear LSD...oh well...I'll get over it I'll have to call my Subaru dealer and see if they'll give a me price quote on getting one installed before next winter. probably $5-600 or so. <sigh> maybe i'll have to pass on that -Rick

01-03-2002, 04:30 PM	#4
subarurabbit Scooby Guru Member#: 4083 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Reading, MA Vehicle: 2006 OBS SE regal blue	It will probably be over a grand. Roger

01-03-2002, 06:38 PM	#5
lucien2 Scooby Specialist Member#: 1519 Join Date: May 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Baltimore, hon! Vehicle: 1998 Volvo V70R Silver	naw..... rrubel is selling one for what, $500? Plus I bet you could get one from a junkyard, off a wrecked OB or 2.5RS, for $300 or so. Dunno about the axles.