GC8 - loud pop then transmission slipping
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Scooby Newbie
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 28
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From: Victoria
GC8 - loud pop then transmission slipping
** Update **
the friction ring on the spline of the rear CV shaft had worn out, allowing one of my drive shafts to pull out from the spline in the diff when i hit a bump. the slipping feeling was all the drive trying to go to the back drive shaft that had disengaged from the spline. the reason the car would still move is because of the viscous rear LSD, some drive would still make it over to the other wheel, as well as the Center LSD diff locking up partially.
the slipping feeling went away on the drive home when i hit another bump that must’ve allowed the CV shaft to re-engage with the spline and begin driving again.
don’t forget to replace your friction rings!
Hi all,
So I was just driving my (unmodified) ‘99 wrx, and pulling away from a hairpin corner I put my foot down in second gear. Soon as the turbo spooled a loud “pop” noise occurred and I lost almost all drive from the transmission. I immediately pulled off the side of the road and let it sit for a few minutes while I checked underneath, no oil dripping or anything that looked unusual.
After a few minutes I tried driving away again, and it begun gripping slightly again so I was able to limp it home, and by the time I got home it felt normal again. When it would slip the speedometer increases as well as the RPM so I highly doubt it’s the clutch causing it.
Any help is much appreciated!
the friction ring on the spline of the rear CV shaft had worn out, allowing one of my drive shafts to pull out from the spline in the diff when i hit a bump. the slipping feeling was all the drive trying to go to the back drive shaft that had disengaged from the spline. the reason the car would still move is because of the viscous rear LSD, some drive would still make it over to the other wheel, as well as the Center LSD diff locking up partially.
the slipping feeling went away on the drive home when i hit another bump that must’ve allowed the CV shaft to re-engage with the spline and begin driving again.
don’t forget to replace your friction rings!
Hi all,
So I was just driving my (unmodified) ‘99 wrx, and pulling away from a hairpin corner I put my foot down in second gear. Soon as the turbo spooled a loud “pop” noise occurred and I lost almost all drive from the transmission. I immediately pulled off the side of the road and let it sit for a few minutes while I checked underneath, no oil dripping or anything that looked unusual.
After a few minutes I tried driving away again, and it begun gripping slightly again so I was able to limp it home, and by the time I got home it felt normal again. When it would slip the speedometer increases as well as the RPM so I highly doubt it’s the clutch causing it.
Any help is much appreciated!
Last edited by Impact_Blue; Feb 24, 2026 at 04:44 AM. Reason: updated information
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 38,078
Likes: 310
From: The hell where youth and laughter go
First check your driveshafts, the rears do snap. Other is a driveshaft/Cv joint has sheared off the splines. Other issues is a diff has failed (pinion gear gone); Probably rear.
Usually they whine before totally failing.
A start would be to jack up one wheel at a time and see if any rotate whilst in 1st gear; Shouldn't turn. If it does something's broke on that corner.
Usually they whine before totally failing.
A start would be to jack up one wheel at a time and see if any rotate whilst in 1st gear; Shouldn't turn. If it does something's broke on that corner.
Last edited by ALi-B; Nov 18, 2023 at 02:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Scooby Newbie
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 28
Likes: 3
From: Victoria
Ok,
so I tried moving it today so I could jack up the back wheels but for some reason it didn’t slip at low speeds. So I jacked up each rear wheel and I couldn’t get them to slip or freewheel with the transmission in gear at all, very strange.
So then I took it for a normal 30 minute drive and the slipping has gone completely, tried giving it some heavy throttle in 2nd and 3rd still hasn’t slipped at all. Still doesn’t make any strange noise, tried u turns, different speeds and acceleration ect. Nothing out of the ordinary.
still not going to give it a hard time because now I dunno if or when it’s gonna happen again. Really stuck on this one…
so I tried moving it today so I could jack up the back wheels but for some reason it didn’t slip at low speeds. So I jacked up each rear wheel and I couldn’t get them to slip or freewheel with the transmission in gear at all, very strange.
So then I took it for a normal 30 minute drive and the slipping has gone completely, tried giving it some heavy throttle in 2nd and 3rd still hasn’t slipped at all. Still doesn’t make any strange noise, tried u turns, different speeds and acceleration ect. Nothing out of the ordinary.
still not going to give it a hard time because now I dunno if or when it’s gonna happen again. Really stuck on this one…
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