For the last 2 or 3 winters I've experienced an occasional low speed shudder or stutter when turning into parking spaces, etc. Vehicle is a 5 spd, 2001 Legacy AWD Wagon, currently 143K mi. It's cold here in the NE and this year seems the worst. Turning left from a stop into a parking space there's a vibration like a drive wheel is binding or I'm on a slippery surface and loosing traction. Right turns are fine. I found one thread about reflashing the ECM - not sure how that relates. Any other thoughts before I let the local stealership have a go at it? Differential fluids were changed at the specified interval so I'm hoping that's not the problem. I have a 99 Expedition that also shudders - that's cured by changing transfer case fluid for its A4WD system every 15 or 30K miles. That system has electric clutches that grab if the fluid has deteriorated, not sure what the Sub's use to transfer power in their AWD system. Any similarity's? Thanks for responses.

Updated - would anybody describe this as "Torque Bind"? Found that reference on another site.

 

My understanding is that Subaru uses a viscous coupling centre differential in most manual transmission Legacys, and uses (used ?) a series of electronically controlled clutch packs for the Automatic Transmission Legacys (although with the WRX and other vehicles they now use a Torsen centre differential).

From what I have been told the viscous coupling fluid is a special synthetic substance that actually thickens as it gets warmer. Normally it has a consistency of maple syrup. This is similar to what AMC-Jeep used to use in their Quadra-Track Jeeps and AMC-Eagles in the mid 1970ies and early 1980ies. This fluid is supposed to last the lifetime of your vehicle (however at 140K+ miles, you may have reached this point). I would be really curious as to what your dealer finds...

I don't see how it can be a "torque bind" if it only happens on left turns, and not right turns.

Maybe you have one wheel that is larger than the others ?