Hey Scotty, I own a Subaru Impreza 2012 with a CVT with 120kmiles on it. It had its valve body done around 90k. I bought it at 100k so i put 20k miles within a year with no problems as i use it as my daily driver. It doesn't shake, it runs great so far I had no complaints. One thing I noticed is when I shift from P to Drive or Reverse I feel a small push or a clunk especially when its cold, but it has been doing that since the day I bought it. When I shift from P to D or R, it takes like a second and i feel like a bump, i think it has to do until the transmission fluid travels, but I am not sure, From P to D, the car after a second jumps forward , to R jumps backwards. Is it Normal or should i get rid of the car as the tranny is wearing out?
Thank you, love the work that you do.
Those Subaru CVTs do take a second or two to go into Drive or Reverse and you'll feel it as the drive is engaged but you shouldn't be getting a clunk. Pray you have a worn universal or CV joint, otherwise it's probably the CVT starting to go out on you.
No, I do not hear a clunk, I just feel like a "bump"
That's really hard to judge from a distance. As I said, it's normal for those Subaru CVTs to have a short delay shifting into drive or reverse as the pulleys and chain move into position. (I have friends with Subarus and I've noticed it.) As the transmission goes into gear you will feel it but it should not be a harsh engagement. Might be best to have a good independent mechanic familiar with Subarus check it.
Check the fluid level. If it is ok, these signs show that the transmission itself is acting up.
A little "bump" sounds almost normal to me.
It’s a TR580 (used only on the Impreza and XV) - and it has little to do the rest of Subaru’s lineup.
Usually the issue on these is the valve body and solenoids getting clogged up completely causing oil pressure to drop and which ends up causing rapid wear on the rest of the transmission.
Issues with the valve body and solenoids (Subaru sells this as a single unit) can cause a clunk when selecting a gear.
additionally, although I don’t think that’s the case - it’s very common for those Subarus to need output shaft bearings but I do not think that’s your issue.
I’d try changing the oil (with the correct one for you transmission!) just to see if that effects anything
But other then that,
If you changed your oil every 40k miles, it drives fine and doesn’t have any vibrations - then it’s probably just is starting to wear out…
