It all depends on the specific modification. You say that restoring the speedometer is a couple of trifles? But not in Subaru. We are talking, of course, about the speedometer drive. If for any Toyota this is done simply, then in Subaru, to replace the driven plastic gear, you need to disassemble the differential. Which, of course, cannot be called a simple operation.

The third drawback of Subaru boxes is the long shaft of the fluid coupling. This heavily loads the bearing and, under certain conditions, quickly leads to wear. There is an ATF leak. Everything seems to be in order with the box, but it leaks. But the most interesting thing is not that. And the fact that a new bearing is not supplied separately. Only with body. And you will be forced to pay not weak money for a useless piece of iron (body). Or look for an experienced turner who also has a material suitable for the bearing.

In order not to get into such situations, the following is recommended. Pour only the recommended ATF into the automatic box and change it regularly. What is recommended by Subaru for their boxes is written on the ATF dipstick. The level, by the way, must be measured with the engine running and only when the gear selector knob is in the “P” position. The fact is that for many models of boxes in the “N” position, a “planetary” rotates inside, which sprays ATF, and as a result, the overall level will mistakenly seem high. If the sticker on the dipstick is lost for some reason, look at a similar machine. No - you have to call in a car repair shop and consult there. In any case, keep in mind that cheap ATFs are usually of poor quality. For Subaru vehicles with powerful engines(with turbines) ATF quality should be even higher. After all, all engine power is transmitted through the machine, simultaneously warming up its ATF. Experts say: what the "automatic machines" of the old Toyota series will forgive, the Subaru machines will not forgive. And, of course, they will "repay" in their own way.

Another disadvantage, according to Technokhim specialists, of Subaru machines is that the all-wheel drive scheme is implemented as follows. Constantly all the torque is transmitted to the front wheels, and the rear wheels are involved in the movement only when slippage occurs. Such a scheme, of course, leads to some fuel savings, but at the same time causes the connection of power to rear drive even when transmitting high torque. Naturally, this leads to failures of the 4WD function. The most annoying thing is that during normal operation, the loss of 4WD is not noticeable. Only when you drive into sand or snow, it suddenly turns out that you don’t have “4-everywhere” at all. However, many owners of these machines daily operation on asphalt and do not need all-wheel drive. Moreover, they specifically insert a fuse into the socket under the hood and 4WD is turned off. This is done in order to save fuel. Although manufacturers provide this function (forced shutdown of 4WD mode) only when using custom wheels. For example, spare wheels - “dokatka”.

So, the main conclusion from communication with experts is as follows. Subaru machines are not bad at all. Of the last seven calls to our Subaru workshop about automatics, six were due to problems with 4WD. And only one car "hit" on overhaul your automatic transmission. Just because earlier she had a blow to the pallet and the oil receiver of the “machine” was jammed. The car traveled - traveled for a couple of weeks and "died". In fact, he stopped moving. If all these machines were operated as the Japanese planned when they were created, all the troubles could have been avoided. That is, it was necessary to regularly change the ATF, use quality ATF, do not “tear” the car off-road and do not hit it on stumps and stones (well, these are not jeeps at all), give the box, before pressing on the gas pedal, at least half a second for “thinking” and do everything smoothly and smoothly with the gas pedal affectionately. And everyone loves affection.

Transmissions for Subaru are produced by Jatco, the second largest manufacturer of automatic transmissions in Japan and in the world, the main competitor of Aisin Co. According to reviews of car services, solid gearboxes of this brand rarely need serious repairs. But even the most reliable unit will become unusable with careless handling. How to protect a Subaru automatic transmission from breakdowns and what to do if the gearbox needs to be replaced?

Features automatic transmission Subaru

The Jatco automatic transmission has a number of advantages:

• affordable cost;
• an abundance of sensors and automation to control the operation of the system, thanks to which problems can be detected immediately (early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment);
• in stepped gearboxes, smooth shifting is achieved due to the improved design of the friction drums. As a result, fuel is saved;
• valve body solenoids are undemanding to the quality of the oil (of course, this does not mean that you can drive on a burnt one, but the use of ATF of dubious quality does not threaten fatal breakdowns);
• simple design, ease of installation, high maintainability;
• a large margin of safety for hardware and electrics.

A recognized leader in the production of step automatic transmissions - Aisin, Jatco in second place. But in the CVT production niche, Jatco has no competitors. In 2005, the company developed the RE0F10A variator for low-capacity (from 1.6 to 2.5 liters) front-wheel drive Nissan cars. For more than 10 years, it has been the most successful and reliable model of continuously variable transmission. 150-200 thousand km without contacting a service is the norm for these CVTs. For Subaru in 2008 was also created CVT variator TR580 (Lineartronic).

A distinctive feature of Subaru transmissions is the longitudinal layout.

Common breakdowns and their causes

At different models Subaru automatic transmission has its weak points

Four-speed 4EAT (EC8/R4AX-EL):

• most often it is necessary to replace filters and a set of gaskets;
• at untimely replacement burnt oil, you have to change the clutches and clean the valve body (it is clogged with friction wear products);
• in the valve body, the line pressure solenoid is the most vulnerable;
• less often require replacement of the drum, bearings, pistons.

EC8 / R4AX-EL - the predecessor of 4EAT until 1999, this box was installed on a number of models later. Common breakdowns:

• usually they change the Overhaul Kit gaskets and seals repair kit (the torque converter and pump seals are the most vulnerable, sometimes they are purchased separately instead of the repair kit), filters, brake band;
• change clutches less often;
• due to natural wear or overheating, the planetary gear set fails.

The 5EAT automatic transmission requires the use of low viscosity oils. The principle of operation of this five-speed automatic machine resembles the operation of preselective boxes, the torque converter is slipping. This ensures fast acceleration, but leads to accelerated oil pollution with all the ensuing consequences:

• friction clutches, solenoids are “eaten up”, valve body valves are stuck;
• in the second hundred thousand kilometers, wear of the planetary gear is possible - it is indicated by the appearance of chips in the pan;
• coarse filters are subject to regular replacement and fine cleaning, gaskets and seals;
• the old modification of the valve body with six solenoids is more vulnerable. New, seven solenoids, less likely to need repairs;
• To weak points this model includes a speed sensor, a pump, on a car with an engine of three or more liters - satellites and a sun gear of an interaxal planetary gear set.

Automatic transmission valve body repair Subaru Impreza:

The CVT TR580 automatic transmission is a mid-range CVT with a pull chain instead of a push belt. This design helps to increase torque, but the chain wears out quickly, especially when starting without preheating, driving on high speeds and speed, use of low-quality oil. CVTs as a class of automatic transmissions are more sensitive not to oil level, but to its quality, and the CVT TR580 is no exception. Most often, filters, friction and steel discs, solenoids.

According to the manufacturer's plan, Subarovskie automatic transmissions should work out 300 thousand kilometers, undergoing only maintenance and undergoing only minor repairs with the replacement of consumables. In practice, drivers face serious breakdowns much earlier, and through their own fault. Damage to the gearbox:

• abuse of sporty, aggressive driving style;
• untimely elimination of oil leaks, attempts to delay the replacement of contaminated oil and filters;
• overloading the car, attempts to use it as a tug.

Postpone overhaul or replacement will help compliance with a number of rules:

• regularly monitor the oil level and its cleanliness, check the device for leaks;
• at difficult conditions operation and aggressive driving style change oil 1.5-2 times more often than recommended by the manufacturer;
• do not delay repairs at the first alarming symptoms (extraneous sounds, jerks when shifting gears, vibration, slipping).

Replacing an automatic transmission with a contract one

Suppose the worst happened, the master declares that it is pointless to repair the automatic transmission - the damage is too massive. Or voices such a repair cost that it is cheaper to buy new box than repairing an old one. And the question arises: to lay out a tidy sum for new automatic transmission Or take a chance and buy a used one? If the gearbox is removed from the Subaru, which "ran" on the roads of Russia, its purchase is an unjustified risk. It’s a completely different matter - contract automatic transmissions purchased at the disassembly of Japan:

1. They have a significant residual resource - in Japan they rarely operate cars for more than 5-7 years, their mandatory maintenance is too expensive.
2. For a punctual and law-abiding Japanese, not to pass the MOT on time, not to change the oil is completely impossible. One of the main factors causing automatic transmission breakdowns is excluded.
3. The Japanese carefully manage the transport and load it less than the Russians or the Americans. And this is another factor affecting the wear of the gearbox.

Another nuance: the later the automatic transmission was released, the lower its reliability, and the reason is not only the complexity of the design. In order to increase sales, manufacturers deliberately lower the quality of their products so that they need to be repaired and replaced more often. So an old, from disassembly, automatic transmission for a Subaru Legacy or another model may turn out to be more reliable than a new one from the factory.

A contract automatic transmission can be useful not only as a replacement, but also as a source of individual parts for a large-scale repair of another unit. And it is not necessary to look for exactly the same model. In Russia, cars with R4AX-EL are rare, which were installed mainly before 1999. But this box can be purchased as a donor if 4EAT needs a thorough repair - most parts are interchangeable.

JapZap offers automatic transmission to Subaru Forester, Impreza, Legacy, Outback and other models. All nodes are removed from working cars purchased at auctions in Japan and have been tested. The price range, depending on the model, is 10-20 thousand rubles.

The presented line of Subaru oils will satisfy the needs of owners of various vehicles. Synthetic, semi-synthetic and mineral oils Subaru :

• reduce fuel consumption by increasing viscosity,
• increase the ability to start a car in low temperature conditions,
• minimize abrasive wear of parts,
• prevent the formation of oxidative and corrosive processes,
• are protection of engines against clogging by decomposition products of fuel.

Genuine Subaru oil is produced in accordance with international requirements for class and viscosity. Provides guaranteed safe and reliable operation of car engines with different levels of performance. Motor oil Subaru is made for both petrol and diesel engines. The addition of high-quality additives increases the stability of viscosity and lubrication properties, reduces engine noise.

Subaru automatic transmission oil is recommended for vehicles equipped with automatic transmission and 3 and 4 speed automatic transmissions. It has detergent qualities that help reduce the toxicity of gases emitted during engine operation. Gear oils Subaru are used to increase the resource of the working condition of the transmission. The increase is facilitated by the use of special components - additives that affect the filterability and solidification temperature of the fuel.