Subaru Impreza RS25 (2001): Manual Transmission Problem

May 17, 2006 5 Replies
M

My 2001 Subaru Impreza RS25, with about 80,000 miles, recently developed a problem with its 5-speed manual transmission.



When shifting from 3rd to 4th gear, sometimes "grinding" occurs as it moves into 4th gear. The problem doesn't always occur. It appears less often if I pause in neutral before moving into 4th.



Is this a synchromesh problem? Is this a known problem with this transmission?



And what are my repair options? If it requires the transmission being pulled out and taken apart, who is best to do this? A Subaru dealer? A franchise transmission shop? An independent transmission shop? (I've never had a transmission problem before, so I have no experience with who is best to repair it.)



If the transmission must be pulled and repaired, what does it typically cost? Am I talking about hundreds, or thousands, of dollars?



Thoughts? Ideas?



Thanks!



Mark


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K

May be a synchronizer is worn, but the first thing to check is the transmission fluid level. If it is low on fluid it can cause that symptom.

If it is more than just low on fluid, then it will have to come out for repairs. Either a dealr or at least a shop that has experience with your type of transmission, You might have to call several tranmission shops to find one that works on Subaru Standard transmissions.

At least hundreds, even if it is minor damage. Thousands if it is severe. Subaru transmission parts are very expensive.

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B

If it is a synchronizer a friend of mine worked around this problem on her old 323 by double clutch shifting. I'm very glad that ages ago Cadillac came up with synchronizers for lazy and inept drivers like myself though. I tried to learn to double clutch downshift the other day and found it fairly difficult to implement. Do you typically use the right side of the foot to operate the gas pedal on impreza or the heel? The pedals seem to be too far apart for bliping the throttle with the right side of the foot. Maybe it's better to just move the foot from brake to gas and back for now? That seems to be inconvenient in stop and go. What's a better way to learn this?

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C

Well, I can't 'heel-toe'(not yet anyway) though I have occasionally blipped the rpm up and then dump the clutch and release the accelerator.

Usually after coasting down to around 40-45 - I clutch in, select 2nd, blip to 4k, release clutch and gas. brake if necesary down to close to idle rpm. I confess I rarely see a NEED to do this,(as opposed to just braking in

4th/whatever down to idle speed and then braking in neutral or clutch down - I do try to select a gear appropriate for acceleration if required) and 1 or 2 times out of 10 I miss the synchronization enough to jerk a little. I feel it is only useful on rare occasions and probably DOES save the brakes at the expense of the clutch(false ecomony there!) - dunno.

Evidently most people use the right side of the foot for REAL 'heel-toe'. (from reading the motorsports threads at

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and yes, shoe selection can be important! I think they actually make 'driving shoes'!

Carl

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M

One of the few times I feel blessed with size 10.5 D feet!

Mike

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C

LOL! Yeah, big feet might be an advantage here. There are racing pedal 'sets' availble too for - I guess - very serious motorsports enthusiasts. They have adjustments in several directions, be prepared to spend $$$ as it replaces your stock arms and pedals completely.

Carl

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