I have a '95 Legacy LS. Minor problems here and there, nothing major, keep the maintenace under control. This past week when making sharp turns, (pulling out of parking spots, 90 degree turns at stop signs, all low speed, etc.) it felt like my transmisson was getting stuck and would break free making the car lurch a couple times and then once I straightened out it was fine. Never happened unless the wheel was at almost full turn. I was going to make an appointment with my mechanic on Monday.

Well, today it happened again while I was out, but REALLY bad. Loud bang, car lurched hard, then it's gone. Completely. Doesn't happen anymore at all, no matter the speed or degree of turn. One problem, all the sudden my front wheels are spinning on pullouts (wet roads), they have squealed a couple times (something I haven't heard in 3 years since I started driving my Subie).

It seems to me that my AWD is done, dead, kaput. Don't feel any power from the rear wheels and front wheel spinning (reminding me of my Accord days, ick).

Please for the love of God please someone tell me this is a simple or fairly inexpensive fix as I just dropped $1500 on my timing belt, pulleys, belts, alternator, battery, etc... and another $2000 on my wife's Jetta (double ick) a few months ago.

 

I'd jack it up and get all four wheels off the ground.

Ensure it's stable, then start it, and let the idle let the wheels roll. Should see all four rolling (make sure e-brake is off)

If only fronts are moving then I'd say you are right.

Easy fix....Pull the drive shaft from the Transmission to the rear differential. You'll be driving front wheel drive, but it's the cheapest way to get around fixing it. Not sure how good it is for the front differential though.

 

Well, it is confirmed, due to snow I have found only the front wheels spin... Anyone out there ever hear of or deal with this?

 

I'd have the mechanic look at your rear differentials. Looks like lauching it wore it out.