Centre Diff Binding

[jonnx]

I also has the 6m visco binding problem

I was looking hard for some alternate center diff but with not much luck.

I would prefer helical/mechanical/torsen alternative but it seems there is nothing like that at all.
20kg visco is out of question, i drive it daily and not that hard.
is there any alternative?

[Ric]

OK, i'm after a show of hands from 6 speed owners who have experienced a binding centre diff (failure of internal seals, causing the diffs to bind up when turning sharply)
...

I've done 185,000 in mine, and no sign of this problem.
I'd be curious if the people having problems have been running different diameter tyres front + back at some point in time.
e.g. old and new.

[Robbks]

mine was previously female owned, but tyre wear was even when I got it and it had a full service history and regular receipts showing tyre rotations, alignments and balances
Although it had done some towing in it's time, and may have been run hotter than ideal which cooks the goop in the VCD and causes this issue

[Troy]

Best place to get a new center diff?
I found one on ebay for $900

[owen]

Best place to get a new center diff?
I found one on ebay for $900

Garage88. $800 to your door. He recently restocked so he should have one on the shelf ready to go

[jonnx]

I found it at USA online shops (sub genuine parts) for around 500 USD.
with shipping, VAT and other payments it is about 500 euro.
new in our dealer is 1000e

I hope Im not breaking some rule by mentioning the site ..

[stuwr250f]

Okay so it seems, I'm now at the milage that all these centre diff problems seem to be occuring...and mine is showing all the tell tail signs...after a couple of hours driving, then hard lock in reverse the diff is binding, so I've just spoken to my Subaru mechanic, who said he'll replace it for about $300 if I supply him with the new part. Seems reasonable labour costs and hardly worth getting dirty for as I don't have a lift.
However he has said he believes there are two different style for pre-face lift and updated models. Mine is a April 2005, RB 3.0 with the 6sp...Does anyone know if this would be the correct part? Seems like a good deal. Part Number appears to be 38913AA102

Thanks heaps for any suggestions.

http://www.buysubarupartsnow.com/oe-subaru/38913aa102

[Troy]

Hi mate
My part number was 38913AA112 got mine from japanparts
Only one way to be sure get your vin and call or email a few subaru dealers and get the part number for yours
Labour should not be much however I was doing my clutch at the same time

[RX25SE]

I could be wrong here, but if you replace the center diff with the same thing then you are just prolonging the same issue occurring again?

Mine had this issue just before I bough it. Speaking with the Subaru specialist that maintained the car, his fix was to replace the genuine oil with something lighter. Apparently the Subaru oil is more like a light grease so he uses Toyota silicon oil which is a lower viscosity so it doesn't dry out causing the diff to bind.

[Robbks]

I could be wrong here, but if you replace the center diff with the same thing then you are just prolonging the same issue occurring again?

This was why I went with a modified one.
it will not fail again.

I'm using HiTec Syngear 75-90, unsure what the factory specs are, but it feels nice

[Troy]

Hi doubt the standard oil has anything to do with it. The center diff has its own viscous inside it, it usually fails by getting too hot and doing a seal and the viscous leaks out of it. its usually uneven tires and pressure, lets remember its there to manage the different speeds of the wheels. My old one you can see the viscous leaking from it, its kinda creamy

[clippy]

I had the same problem

I had mine replaced by Garage88 for around $1000 including new oil, seals and some other gear I broke (cant remember what one )

Would definitely recommend them, best price and they are just a good bunch of blokes

[danew]

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone with this binding issue took a video/recording of the noise etc?

I have just replaced the CV's in my sisters 3RB (220k) thinking it was the CV's knocking. But now I am thinking that this might be the issue?

On minimal lock (1/2 turn) at slow speeds there was a knocking noise coming from the front of the car, the car was a bit jerky as well.

I bought some front shafts to change over thinking it was the CV's, but it seems to be doing the same thing after the swap(although not as bad and more lock is needed now).

[sheppo9]

This was why I went with a modified one.

Jase means the actual fluid inside the centre diff.
Toyota have a silicone coupling fluid (for the fan clutches on Cruisers etc) that he (Tuggeranong Trans) puts in them.

[danew]

Anyone?