Clutch Services
Specialist Subaru Clutch Service Centre
All Drive Subaroo provides genuine Subaru clutch replacement at our Subaru Service Centre Sydney. With our competitive pricing, skilled service and high professional standards, you can be sure our independent Subaru mechanics can meet all your clutch servicing needs by supplying and fitting the right Subaru parts the right way first time every time.
"Subaru mechanic" and "Subaru specialist" are widely misused terms. They might mean someone who has worked on a Subaru in the past, someone who has worked on more than one Subaru vehicle in the past year or so, or someone who is highly skilled and experienced with Subaru vehicles, understands Subaru control systems, and has the knowledge to repair them competently. There are not many of these.
Subaru Clutch Replacement Variations and Evolutions
All Drive Subaroo has highly skilled Subaru mechanics with in-depth knowledge of the Subaru product and the practical know-how to fix all Subaru problems. Our expertise in this area is nationally recognised. Our Subaru Workshop provides NRMA roadside technical training for the industry at our Subaru service centre Sydney, Peakhurst.
Subaru clutches have changed over recent years due to technical changes in Subaru engine and Subaru gearbox configurations. In recent times Subaru Outback, Liberty, Forester, and Impreza models have been affected by clutch kit changes with the replacement of the superseded Dual Mass replacement clutch kits with the Wide Acting Dampener (WAD) units.
Subaru Push Type Clutch Non-Turbo and Turbo Models
Subaru 5 speed solid type clutches were the common fitment prior to 1999 model year but as technology advanced, interior cabin noise reduced but transmission of vibrations to the interior of the vehicle increased. The Subaru Dual mass clutch kit lowers vibration by using independent masses separated by springs to split the inertia between the Subaru engine and Subaru gearbox to a level maintained at idle speed. Subaru Diesel clutches also use this technology, which is critical to Subaru Diesel engine operation.
This has generated a lot of discussion about Subaru clutch operation and the driveability of the cars. Our expert mechanics know all the variations in the Subaru clutch Kit range meaning you will have the information you need to make the best decision.
It pays to be aware of these issues before making a decision on a Subaru clutch replacement, in particular for the 2.5lt model Liberty clutch kit, Outback clutch kit, and Impreza clutch kit.
Subaru Clutch Dual Mass Kits
These were only available with a push-type clutch for non-turbo petrol engines, commonly with the 1999 Outback, Liberty and Forester and gave a lot of problems. As cars came in for warranty repair Subaru converted to WAD clutches. For the last five years Subaru have not used dual mass clutch in petrol engines, but have reverted to dual mass for diesel models to reduce engine noise. The dual mass clutch provides Improved Subaru gearbox shift feel (due to lower reciprocating clutch plate mass), but is more expensive to replace. It pays to be aware of all these issues before making any decision on a Subaru clutch replacement, particularly with the 2.5 litre model Liberty, Outback, and Impreza clutch kits.
Subaru Pull Type Clutch
The pull type clutch, while more expensive to produce and technically more difficult to fit, is a more reliable and robust unit, which is why it is still used in the high-performance STi models.
The five-speed pull clutch used a 230 mm pressure plate and a solid flywheel from 1991-2000, after which Subaru switched to the semi-flex flywheel. After 2006 all turbo five-speed models converted to the push-type clutch, which created a number of problems with the front snouts of gearbox casings.
The six-speed pull clutch in all Liberty and STI models, uses a 240 mm pressure plate and stayed with the solid flywheel. This set up has proved to be very reliable, with no reported issues to dates.
Contact us for Expert Individual Advice on 02 9915 9900
Manufacturer No
30100AA220, 30100AA243, 30100AA302, 30100AA380, 30100AA412, 30100AA440, 30100AA441, 30100AA451, 30100AA510, 30100AA590, 30100AA600, 30100AA630, 30100AA670, 30100AA671, 30100AA672, 30100AA680, 30100AA681, 30100AA690, 30100AA692, 30100AA710, 30100AA720, 30100AA780, 30100AA790, 30100AA791, 30100AA810, 30100AA840, 30100AA851, 30100AA870, 30100AA881,30100AA882, 30100AA883, 30100AA900, 30100AA920, 30100AA930, 30100AA940, 30210AA010, 30210AA171, 30210AA261, 30210AA300, 30210AA301, 30210AA302, 30210AA304, 30210AA360, 30210AA361, 30210AA362, 30210AA370, 30210AA381, 30210AA400, 30210AA410, 30210AA411, 30210AA420, 30210AA440, 30210AA510, 30210AA520, 30210AA530, 30210AA550, 30210AA590, 30210AA620, 30210AA670, 30210AA681, 30210AA690, 30210AA760
Subaru Flywheel Variations
While Subaru flywheels are well-engineered and robust items, drive line variations and customer demands for better driveability or fuel consumption prompted the introduction of three flywheel types, with some advantages and disadvantages to each.
Solid flywheel
Subaru used the solid flywheel from 1991 to 2000 and this proved to be its most reliable clutch set up despite some gearbox noise and "chattering", or what Subaru have officially labelled, "garaga" noise, which is a normal noise generated by the third and fourth gear clusters, but amplified through the solid flywheel. The solid flywheel clutch set-up was however especially popular and robust in the Subaru turbo models and is still used with the pull type clutch in STI 6-speed models today. This flywheel type can be machined, and is known for long life.
Semi-flex flywheel
This type was used in turbo and non-turbo model petrol engines and was introduced at first for non-turbo models to address problems with the dual-mass flywheel. The semi-flex came in around 2003 and became a standard feature from 2006 on. Turbo 5-speed models got the dual mass flywheel in 2002 and have stayed with this set up until now with no problems, with some Subaru product number changes denoting minor changes. When the semi-flex Subaru flywheel becomes worn it is notorious for "chattering" and is not suitable for machining.
Dual Mass flywheel
This came out in petrol non-turbo engines from 1999 until 2005 and has caused Subaru the most warranty issues to date, generating a lot of customer dissatisfaction, even though they were happy with driveability when new. Most dual-mass non-turbo engines have now been converted to semi-flex. The dual-mass flywheel is non-serviceable and must be discarded when worn. Reduced Subaru gearbox noise or Subaru gear chatter. Development of clutch noise such Subaru clutch Squeak or Subaru clutch rattle at idle, which normally develops after 60,000kms depending on driving.
Warning: Inferior after-market clutches and flywheels
With the success of Subaru models across the market, and the relatively high cost of genuine Subaru clutches, especially in Australia, a number of companies have produced after-market copies of Subaru clutch kits. These are considerably cheaper than the OEM product, but are made from inferior materials. We have found most of the cheap after-market clutch products have a short service life and do not perform efficiently. At ADS we use only genuine Subaru, or high-quality Japanese after-market clutch kits.
Some common clutch problems that we find with non-genuine clutch kits include:
- Varying degrees of clutch shudder
- Gearshift issues, with difficulty engaging gears and general loss of driveability
- Thrust bearing failure
- Subaru pedal vibration
- Cracks appearing in flywheels
- Poor Subaru clutch pedal feel
- Clutch pedal sticking
- Clutch slipping
Manufacturer No
12310AA082, 12310AA113, 12310AA210, 12310AA270, 12310AA280, 12310AA300, 12310AA340, 12310AA410, 12310AA420, 30502AA031, 30502AA043, 30502AA051, 30502AA060, 30502AA080, 30502AA100, 30502AA110, 30502AA120, 30502AA130, 30502AA140
How can I know if my clutch needs replacing?
Whatever type of clutch is fitted to your Subaru, symptoms of wear will be the same, in both early and advanced stages of wear. It is best to replace clutches when they first show signs of wear. If replacement is delayed too long, damage to other components will result and the repair bill will blow out. Improper Subaru hill assist and Subaru hill hold functions can also be related to incorrect Subaru clutch kits or software calibrations on vehicles fitted with EPB (Electronic Parking Brake). Hesitation, sluggish performance, stalling, and high idle revs in your Subaru vehicle can all be the result of a malfunctioning clutch.
Early signs of wear:
Early clutch wear signs can be subtle. If you have any doubts at all bring the car to us and we will check it thoroughly for you. Look out for:
- Clutch taking up near the end of the pedal travel
- Apparent loss of power under load, caused by slight clutch slip
- Difficulty engaging gears, particularly first and reverse
- Increased fuel consumption
- General decline of driveability
Signs of advanced wear:
Wear will progress from the early to the later stages much more quickly in a turbo than a non-turbo model. In the pull-type clutch, in advanced wear stages, you might get problems with damaged or broken gears and excessively worn flywheel. Advanced wear in the push-type turbo clutch often results in damage to the gearbox casing "snout" requiring full gearbox replacement. We have seem many examples of this damage in late model turbo Subarus and to a lesser extent, non-turbo models with this type of clutch set-up.
Some signs of advanced wear include:
- Sticky clutch pedal, with the pedal not springing back up immediately when released
- Pedal feels hard, with the clutch resisting foot pressure
- Slipping clutch, with engine revving noticeably higher but not transmitting power
- Excessive clutch slip may be accompanied by burning rubber smells or smoke
- Marked difficulty in changing gears and crunching noises, especially in first or reverse
