transmission problem

[iafw]

i have an 02 impreza GX with 60,000km and it have its factory warrenty until june this year.

when i accelrate hard mainly in 2nd or 3rd then take my foot off the accelerator the car shudders 2 or 3 times while the revs drop. its also really noticable in first.

anyone know what could be causing this problem?

thanks

[keita]

My 2004 WRX (USDM) does the same since it was brand new. It's significantly more noticeable in 1st or sometime 2nd, not really in 3rd. I don't know WHY it happens exactly, but I didn't think that was abnormal. If you let go the accelerator gently, it never happens.

[Right_LiRrr]

Isn't this just the normal thing with manual transmission?

[keita]

That's what I thought....someone explain, plz.

[iafw]

thanks guys,

i dont think it is normal for a manual.

the shuddering is very jerky and strong. i have never had it in any of my older cars. it feels like someone is pumping the breaks or something as i slow down.

[freakray]

You sure it's not the computer testing the ABS, you may only be aware of it because you're off the gas, but the car will perioducally cycle the ABS system early in a drive to make certain it's working, if you're off the gas you could feel a shudder.

Otherwise, manual transmissions can shudder slightly if you leave off the gas suddenly.

[iafw]

it happens all the time. when its cold, hot, long drives, short drives.

I have driven manuals before but have never had a problem like this.

it cant be normal, its almost impossible to drive in heavy traffic staying in 1st,2nd because the car will shudder and hop all over the place. going to take it in to the dealer this week and have them look at it.

[freakray]

Hey, we were only trying to help.
It's not like 'my car shudders' is a very detailed description of the issue, we threw out ideas as to why it could be doing it.

It could be a cable binding or the clutch slipping or anything, but not knowing your driving habits or exactly what the car is doing, we can only throw out assumptions.

[iafw]

wasnt meant to come across sounding like i was ungreatful. I appreciate the help.

tell me this. next time you get in your car. put it in first or second and take it to 4-5,000rpm then take your foot off the gas like you want to slow down, but dont need to use the brake yet.

in my car it will feel like someone has me by the shoulders and is shaking me back and forth.

hopefully subaru can find the problem in their workshop.

thanks.

[SabreKhan]

Most manual transmission cars will do that slightly because of the abuse of the driveline dropping from 5k rpm to no-power suddenly. However, what you're describing sounds much worse than that. I'd surmise that something in your engine or driveline is out of balance. When you let off the gas like that, it means everything is spinning freely from the engine all the way back to the wheels, and it's all connected together, so the friction of the vehicle is working to slow it down. If something is even a little bit out of balance, the whole assembly will vibrate. It's probably vibrating while you're under throttle, as well, but at a much lower amplitude. I'd have to be physically in the car to make a more specific diagnosis, though.

[dubl_j]

I posted a question about this in the forum a while ago. I know exactly what you're talking about. Others here said it's normal. I asked the dealer and they said the transmissions are a bit clunky and it happens if you take your foot off the gas too quick under hard acceleration.

Basically what he's describing happens often if you accelerate hard then take your foot off the gas very quickly. You feel a hard 'buck' from the car. Feels almost as if you tap the breaks hard, but very, very quickly. Not enough to slow you down, but it feels as if you're accelerating then immediately stop accelerating. From the responses I got from here and the dealer, they said it may be due to the amount of power being thrown at the transmission and it being AWD. Wish I knew enough about cars to know whether or not this was BS.

First time it happened though, scarred the hell out of me. Felt like something broke.

[iafw]

thanks sabre, guess I will just have to take it in make them run some tests.

good to hear im on the only one with this problem. I used to have a 95 liberty and it didnt do this and the few other imprezas i drove all felt fine.

appreciate the help will let you know how it goes with subaru.

[SabreKhan]

Advice aside, remember the old story about the doctor and the patient?
Doctor: "When does it hurt?"
Patient: "When I do this."
Doctor: "Then don't do that."

The easiest (and cheapest) solution to your problem is simply not to jerk your foot off the gas like that. Sometimes, very rarely, it's unavoidable. Usually, though, you can smoothly release the throttle and keep the car stable.

[Initial_D]

well , seems like I'm not the only on how drives a GX down here ??
okay my impreza is a 2004 GX (( MT not AT )) and I got the same problem as yours and I used to release the throttle slowly to keep the car stable so the best solution is to drive as SabreKhan told you to do cuz this is the only way.
I guess this is because of the AWD system.



well I think I'm going to convert my impreza to a RWD once I get enough $$

[keita]

Originally Posted by Initial_D

well I think I'm going to convert my impreza to a RWD once I get enough $$

Why the hell do you want to do that?? So that you can drift??