what grade gear oil did you use and is the first fluid service done-how many miles on trans-so you can duplicate it without switching gears and just applying the clutch -will not moving-please give more detail

 

75w synthetics have been known to be problematic.

jason

 

trust me and change the fluid back to subarus gear lube.

 

Trust the Subaru mechanic here. Most standard synthetic gear oils are too slick for use in Subaru gearboxes.

 

amen-ban suns

 

I have significant mileage on my stock fluid, and I'm about to replace it with shockproof. I will keep you all updated.

 

I switched to Redline 75W90NS which is what Redline recommends for an 04 RS tranny due to it's GL-5 requirements (FYI MT90 can be used where GL4 is required), and put regular 75W90 in the rear end. I hate that grey goop that comes in it from the factory and will never use it again. I switched at 2700 miles and the only difference I noticed is you want to shift the car easy until it's warmed up also it takes a little while to work in so give it a week or two, again I don't know why it might just be it shifts different and I had to get used to it. Once it reaches operating temp though it shifts like a dream. Now this may seem strange, but one thing I noticed is with the OE fluid the tranny shifted better whan it was cold and as it got hot didn't seem to shift as well, with the Redline it didn't shift as well cold as the OE stuff, but like I said when it gets warms up look out.

By the way BAN SUVS I asked Dave the tech guy at Redline about shockproof and he advised me against it so you may want to see what he thinks before you put it in.

 

Yeah the guys at Redline warned me against Shockproof too .... but you know, he wouldn't actually say WHY it wasn't a good idea. The proof is in the puddin'. Everyone I know who's used Shockproof hasn't complained, including myself. Its at least as good as stock. Now, for long term... I dunno.

It defies logic... the 75w90 Redline has the friction modifier that should make it a better performing fluid than the Shockproof for syncho transmissions... but its just not the case. I dunno why. I just read an article in the latest Turbo Magazine (cover: "WRX Killer" heh) where they put the Shockproof Heavy in an SE-R ttransmission which shared the same notorious weakness reputation with our WRXs... and they say it does wonders for the SE-R transmssion. Go figure.

I dunno... I think Redline is covering their azz or something. Maybe because Subaru requires GL-5/MT-1 and the Redline 75w90 meets that and the Shockproof doesn't, Dave @ Redline relays the party line and recommends 75w90.

jason

 

I know what you mean about friction modifiers I got the same advice from Dave, but the guy has never steered me wrong. He did say that it was more the viscosity of the fluid that promotes smoother shifting then friction. I'm not sure why, but I think I'll email him and find out.