Transtar Introduces Reman Subaru CVT Unit
Transtar Industries, Inc. has announced the availability of a CVT unit for 2012-2019 Subarus (p/n TR690 & TR580). The unit price across all models is 55-60% of the dealer shop price. Transtar offers an 18-month, 18,000-mile warranty with a $250 labor coverage. All critical components are replaced during the reman process and are dyno tested.
Transmission Tech: Subaru TR580 Converter Lockup Diagnosis
Mike Riley walks through the repair process on this Subaru.
2004 Subaru Forester
By the time that the owner brought the vehicle to the shop, the chatter while on a turn was pretty consistent, especially when hot. The Subaru was a 2004 Forester AWD equipped with a 2.5L non-turbo engine and four-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle had 97,000 miles on it and was in great condition. The engine ran well and the transmission functioned fairly well considering the mileage, except of course for the chatter. It didn’t appear that anything was ever done to the transmission.
Craigslist ‘Deal’
For reasons I am still unclear of, my customer purchased a non-running 1997 Subaru Impreza for $1,500, and he had it towed to my shop. First impressions confirmed my suspicion that I was not the first person to work on this car (darn it!). The “Nationwide Productions” badge on the front grille, and the cold-air intake/K&N air filter combination (Figure 1) destroyed any hope that I’d have an unmolested car (darn it!).
Subaru Lineartronic: Not all CVTs are east/west
The CVT that was developed for Subaru is a major departure from all other transverse-mounted CVTs. This new-design unit, called a Lineartronic, hit the streets in 2010. To say that a Lineartronic is a monster would be an understatement. The unit could probably fit right into a Sherman tank. There is also a difference in design between gas and diesel applications. In addition, to understand the power flow would be akin to “the ankle bone is connected to the shin bone, the shin bone is connected to the …” etc.)
Subarus Have Their Own Set of Problems
The four-speed automatic Subaru is a first cousin to the RE4RO1A, RE4RO3A and JR403, but the Subaru version of this transmission has not been plagued by the converter-clutch problems that have afflicted other members of its family. The Subaru was the only one to offer an all-wheel-drive option, which has allowed it to have its own set of problems.
