# 1998 Subaru "grabbing rear wheels" (clutch pack or trans)

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-subaru-grabbing-rear-wheels-clutch-pack-or-trans/20342>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [October 4, 2008, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-subaru-grabbing-rear-wheels-clutch-pack-or-trans/20342 "2008-10-04T16:40:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DanaPatata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f0a364/32.png) [@DanaPatata](https://community.cartalk.com/u/DanaPatata)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2008, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-subaru-grabbing-rear-wheels-clutch-pack-or-trans/20342/1 "2008-10-04T16:40:28Z")

</div>

"98 subaru legacy outback (automatic) We had the engine rebuilt 5/07. After a while the rear wheels starting grabbing (when turning in a tight radius) and has gotten to the point of digging up our gravel driveway. The same mechanic says he can rebuild the “clutch pack” for $800. The dealer says “what, a clutch pack?” and is recommending a new Transmission for $2500. What’s a clutch pack?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-subaru-grabbing-rear-wheels-clutch-pack-or-trans/20342/2 "2008-10-05T14:42:06Z")

</div>

Here is a link to a site that may help you understand the way the system works.

[http://www.subaruspecialists.com/mainframe/AllWheelDrive.html](http://www.subaruspecialists.com/mainframe/AllWheelDrive.html)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-subaru-grabbing-rear-wheels-clutch-pack-or-trans/20342/3 "2008-10-05T18:12:09Z")

</div>

Fix the clutch pack. The car is 10 year old and this repair will likely last the life of the car if the transmission had maintenance done to it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [October 5, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-subaru-grabbing-rear-wheels-clutch-pack-or-trans/20342/4 "2008-10-05T19:57:39Z")

</div>

The dealer doesn’t probably calls it a transfer clutch and is playing dumb. The transfer valve and clutch pack are normal wear items in Subaru automatics. The $800 price is about right. I paid just about that much a few years ago when mine was replaced. No more binding wheels.

The only problem is this: if you delay (or have delayed) too long, there could be internal damage to the transmission. We will all hope that is not the case, and all you need is a new transfer valve and clutch pack.