Turning off AWD - permanently

Hi sspprror! Either way would do the job, but I'm concerned about damage elsewhere in the drive train. If your mechanic isn't at a Subaru dealer, you may want to take a hot cup of coffee to the service manager at your local dealer and pick his brain about the global implications of what you are contemplating. Good luck!

I don't think that will work... Time to buy a civic. :(

Check your fuse box for a AWD slot that you can use to disable the system (normally used for temporary flat tire situations)... older Subies have this to prevent drivetrain damage while driving around in the temporary spare. Not sure if this applies to your model.

mounted on the firewall on the passangers side there is a slot for a 20 amp fuse to dissable the awd clutch pack

I don't think this is a good idea and it could damage the rest of your transmission. Just like how subarus are supposed to be towed on a flat bed because it can damage the tranny/diffs. The fuse thing in the engine bay will only work if you have an automatic transmission.

Since it has a viscous coupler, that means the fuse removal won't work. You have to replace the center differential (the viscous unit) with either a solid spool, or a unit that's welded. Either method would result in a RWD Impreza, but it might be possible to have it be FWD.

This is an old topic, but since it been brought up anyway, there is a kit that will convert an AWD subby 5 speed to a FWD. This would take load off the coupler and reduce shock load of trying to turn all 4 wheels. http://www.bremarauto.com/subaru_transaxle_conversion.htm With current exchange rates it's about $270 I use to have the install instruction somewhere, but can't seem to find 'em...

So i take it you work for subaru, so you know that when installing the fuse in the slot that it will put power on both sides of the clutch pack dissabling it.

If the car has an automatic transmission (which it seems to; as it has a viscous coupler), it will be fine permanently in FWD, with the AWD fuse out. Until the next snowstorm.

i know subarus and in 1995 it will not have a fuse for the AWD. that is only in subarus that are 1997 and newer

i will not have a fuse since it is so old. that is only in subarus 1997 and newer. also auto trans doesn't have the viscous couplings the manuals. the way viscous couplings work is that there are a bunch of plates in a silicon fluid. when one set of tires slip the fluid heats up and the plates grab and even the car out. the auto use electronics to acheve the same thing.

You are exactly right with viscous coupler... my bad. 1997 and earlier automatics don't use the electric differentials then? That I'll admit I didn't know, honestly i have very little experience with the GC's even. Well then Maybe removing driveshafts would be ok... I'd be much more tenative about it. I might suggest that, if you have not, you go to a more reliable / indepth Subaru source such as NASIOC. Good luck!

there is no clutch pack in the viscous center differential.

my 92 subaru auto had a FWD fuse so its not too old. My 95 impreza manual does not have a fuse that will make it FWD so it must be an auto thing. Also my 92 was an SVX which may have had stuff other subies did not at that time.

The viscous center diff on average lasts 60-80k miles before it does not work how it should, it won't grab properly. My 93 legacy 5 spd had a front drive spindle strip strip out in the wheel hub and I lost a lot of the power out of the front end as a result untill it was fixed, you would have to get a limited slip or locked/welded center diff in order to run a awd subaru as a 2wd without regreting it in the long run, transmissions are dirt cheap now and an easy 2 hour job with a set of hand tools (I've already done one), you can also get a tranny if you spend the time to look from a fwd only legacy or impreza, not all subarus came from the factory with awd.

does putting a fuse in it make it front wheel drive only

only if it's an auto and it depends on the year.

Yes putting the fuse in makes it front wheel drive only takingit out makes it all wheel drive I have a 95 Impreza 2.2 and I tried it in the fuse in makes it front wheel drive only and a light on the dash will se FWD in red letters

Taking the rear drive shaft out is only a temp fix. I did it to mine and the drive train freaks out. I had a manual trans and i would be in 3rd gear before I got across the intersection, it acted like all of the clutchs were slipping as it was trying to apply power to the rear end.

I have a 1995 wrx I like e in New Zealand so my be different not sure but my wrx wagon auto is in rwd unsure why has front axles still , thrs not visable thing that has been done to make it rwd under hood on drivers side is a fuse box that says diff lock but that no fuse in it does that mean they took that out to make it red or is it something more

I'm on Facebook Matt Holmes

Matt Holmes I am also in nz. Taranaki actually.. Also have a wrx. ll add you on fb

What does thisnfws fuse look like

There is NO fuse in the box. You have to put the fuse in there.

What kind of fuse ?

So under the the little 1" box where it says FWD you have to put a fuse in it

Correct. Mine was in the fuse box under the hood. I believe i put in a ten amp ATO fuse. Just an FYI. I have rotated my tires more often. I do them with every oil change now. To help keep all four tires the same size. Snows in Michigan, will need the 4wd again soon. (i hope)

Yeah I'm in PA so I know just a regular ten amp is that the yellow colored plastic or red or blue mine is just kicking in and out 95 subie with 200+k miles and a replaced engine so yeah. I need a new car I think

Mushi mushi! Subaru "95 with auto transmission has a fuse slot in engine bay to run FWD. I have a "95 Legacy and it worked. I drive FWD in spring time up until summer then remove the 20 ampere fuse for the winter times. It doest damage anything on the car. Domo Arigato!

I just purchased a 97 Outback AWD. It was shaking at low speeds at turning. Brought to a mechanic and he mentioned the fuse thing. He put a fuse in the FWD slot under the hood. The shaking went away. What is really the problem? How long should I drive like this? I'm in New England, I could use AWD. Suggestions.

Replace your rear axles or possible the rear diff. I had the same problem with shaking and replaced the axles and was gone

nailteck you should take the car back and get a refund. Sounds like an expensive problem