Clutch pressure plate going bad in the Legacy GT

Timmay24 · 10-29-2003, 04:14 PM

Hello has anyone heard of problems with the clutch pressure plate going bad in Legacy. My mother in-law has a 97 and it was bad it took them 4 clutches till they figured out what it was. And I have a 98 and it is doing the same things. All the problems have been identical. It's just that this one to replace is very expensive.

Timmay.....

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tmat3 · 10-29-2003, 06:41 PM

I think it's a common problem among Legacy and Imprezas. I had a problem with my pressure plate. The clutch started to shudder all the time while trying to engage, and it also started to slip. After taking the car apart, it was the pressure plate's fault. Mine had weak and rusted fingers, and heatspots on the surface.

Timmay24 · 10-31-2003, 02:18 PM

Did you change it yourself if so how hard was it for you. I am somewhat mechanically inclined and have access to the proper tools if I decide to attempt it by myself. Or do you not recommend it? Thanks for the information.

Tim

mkgcars · 11-04-2003, 05:02 PM

Didn't replace mine myself. Have 2000 RS and the clutch was slipping at 20k. Had my regular mechanic do it - and then SOA paid me back on a pressure plate warranty (was a fight, but the pressure plate is warranteed 60k). Of course the replacement slipped a bit last winter on the coldest mornings (and it only had 35k on it).

I'd suggest that you go with a slightly stiffer pressure plate when you replace it. Exedy, who supplies the stock pressure plate for Subaru, also makes a slightly stiffer one - about %30 stiffer. This is included in the Exedy Organic Clutch kit - the cheapest I've found this kit is at www.nolimitmotorsport.com (says free shipping). It's a little more $ than the stock parts - but it will fix the problem so it won't happen again until the clutch is actually worn out.
I'm 99% sure the clutch disc is the same one as the stock one Subaru uses - so you're not getting into any racing parts etc, just a bit stiffer pressure plate.

The kit is the same for '97-01 Impreza and Legacy with the 2.5 motor.

If you've done a clutch before then you might try this yourself - but if you haven't then you might just pay someone (make sure they grind the flywheel - about $40). The labor will be about $400 or so total. The problem is that if you don't align the clutch right you may have to replace it again - and this type of job hurts less when done the first time around.

good luck.
matt

10-29-2003, 04:14 PM	#1
Timmay24 Scooby Newbie Member#: 46331 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: MI Vehicle: 1998 Legacy GT White	Clutch pressure plate going bad in the Legacy GT Hello has anyone heard of problems with the clutch pressure plate going bad in Legacy. My mother in-law has a 97 and it was bad it took them 4 clutches till they figured out what it was. And I have a 98 and it is doing the same things. All the problems have been identical. It's just that this one to replace is very expensive. Timmay..... * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-29-2003, 06:41 PM	#2
tmat3 Scooby Specialist Member#: 2817 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: NYC and Troy, NY Vehicle: 2001 Impreza 2.5RS BRP	I think it's a common problem among Legacy and Imprezas. I had a problem with my pressure plate. The clutch started to shudder all the time while trying to engage, and it also started to slip. After taking the car apart, it was the pressure plate's fault. Mine had weak and rusted fingers, and heatspots on the surface.

10-31-2003, 02:18 PM	#3
Timmay24 Scooby Newbie Member#: 46331 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: MI Vehicle: 1998 Legacy GT White	Did you change it yourself if so how hard was it for you. I am somewhat mechanically inclined and have access to the proper tools if I decide to attempt it by myself. Or do you not recommend it? Thanks for the information. Tim

11-04-2003, 05:02 PM	#4
mkgcars Scooby Newbie Member#: 11025 Join Date: Oct 2001 Vehicle: 2000 Impreza 2.5 RS Red	Didn't replace mine myself. Have 2000 RS and the clutch was slipping at 20k. Had my regular mechanic do it - and then SOA paid me back on a pressure plate warranty (was a fight, but the pressure plate is warranteed 60k). Of course the replacement slipped a bit last winter on the coldest mornings (and it only had 35k on it). I'd suggest that you go with a slightly stiffer pressure plate when you replace it. Exedy, who supplies the stock pressure plate for Subaru, also makes a slightly stiffer one - about %30 stiffer. This is included in the Exedy Organic Clutch kit - the cheapest I've found this kit is at www.nolimitmotorsport.com (says free shipping). It's a little more $ than the stock parts - but it will fix the problem so it won't happen again until the clutch is actually worn out. I'm 99% sure the clutch disc is the same one as the stock one Subaru uses - so you're not getting into any racing parts etc, just a bit stiffer pressure plate. The kit is the same for '97-01 Impreza and Legacy with the 2.5 motor. If you've done a clutch before then you might try this yourself - but if you haven't then you might just pay someone (make sure they grind the flywheel - about $40). The labor will be about $400 or so total. The problem is that if you don't align the clutch right you may have to replace it again - and this type of job hurts less when done the first time around. good luck. matt