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Old 25 November 2003, 09:57 AM
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Wurzel
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Ok it is not actually about towing a Subaru but I didn't know what to title the thread

http://www.cars101.com/subwarr.html#...0a%20motorhome

Everything Subaru: maintenance schedules, factory warranty and towing information
Research Outback, Forester, Impreza, Legacy, WRX STi, XT, GT...


Manual Transmission:
All Wheel Drive vehicles can be towed with all four wheels on the ground or with all four wheels off the ground on a trailer but towing an AWD vehicle must never be attempted with only two wheels on the ground or two wheels on a dolly.
ok taking on board this info.

does anyone have any definative info on this scenario

brake testing an Impreza MY00

The TÜV here brake tested both Mine and Re-Bitten Heros cars by driving along a concrete road and parking the car with the rear wheels on a rolling road and the front wheels on the concrete.

then they proceeded to drive the car in this position under it's own power, rear wheels turning nice and fast, front wheels stationary.

They then did the same but put front wheels on roller and rear wheels on concretew and performed the same test.

subsequently one of us has a seized diff on his car, could this test have contributed to the damage to the diff.

If not then could this type of test contribute to any damage to the drive train.

This is really important so I don't want any time wasting smart **** answers, ANY of the Tuning companies are reading this then please comment Prodrive must have some facts on this.

Cheers
Steve
Old 25 November 2003, 10:27 AM
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ALi-B
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It may be of help, if you identify WHICH diff is actually seized, as this will help identify if incorrect brake testing was to blame

Forget what I said about MOT standards...just realised your in Germany! But an Official tester should be aware about correct procedures when testing 4WD vehicles.


[Edited by ALi-B - 11/25/2003 10:31:09 AM]
Old 25 November 2003, 10:27 AM
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Puff The Magic Wagon!
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Yes

You WILL damage the transmission if you tow or do as you stated.

For an MOT in the UK, they use a G-meter to work out braking force as they cannot do it on the 2 wheel only rollers. This is how PTMW! has its brakes checked for MOT.

Also, AA/RAC know that they cannot "dolly" tow a scoob without damaging the transmission. It has to go flat-bed.


I'm really sorry to hear this Steve/Richard
Old 25 November 2003, 10:32 AM
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Mortywrx
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Sorry about the news mate but it is nice to know th facts. My I dont think the testing station I go to know any thing other then the standard fiesta so maybe taking it to some where else this year.

Darren
Old 25 November 2003, 10:36 AM
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Monty: All UK MOT testing stations have the same regulations to adhere to when testing 4wd vehicles. And the Tester should be aware of these issues, all you need to tell them that the vehicle is permanent 4wd and cannot be used on 2wheel rollers. After all it's not as if a Subaru is the only permanent 4wd vehicle is it?(think of all the 4x4 off/soft-roaders etc!)
Old 25 November 2003, 10:45 AM
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problem stems from here:

http://www.scoobynet.co.uk/bbs/threa...hreadID=258936

Neal
Old 25 November 2003, 04:03 PM
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Wurzel
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BTTT because I want more input.
Old 25 November 2003, 04:34 PM
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doing the test as described will overheat the centre diff on a Euro spec car, which could lead to a siezed centre diff unit. There is no iff's or butts about that, you should never have the front/rear axle run at diferent speeds by force applied by a roller, or through towing with one axle suspended, one on the ground.
Old 25 November 2003, 05:30 PM
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Unhappy

Thanks for the posts guys, and yes, it's my car that had the seized rear diff . The centre seems to be ok, although (surprise surprise) there was a very hot smell in the car when I got into after the test...

Now got a limited-slip diff on the back to replace it, but Subaru in Germany are stumped over the seized rear diff...

R
Old 25 November 2003, 05:30 PM
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i had my MOT yesterday and the test would not put the car on there brake testing machine, i passed him the keys and he went out for a drive in it, as PTMW said he probably use a Gmeter but i wasnt really intrested and sat down with a cup of cofffe

i rember going in to book it and he mentioned then that he couldnt put the car on the brake testing machine
Old 25 November 2003, 05:35 PM
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You let him go for a drive to "test the brakes" Very trusting!!!

Also PTMW: sorry to hear about the engine blowing... too many track days I guess

[Edited by Re-Bitten Hero - 11/25/2003 5:35:52 PM]

[Edited by Re-Bitten Hero - 11/25/2003 5:36:04 PM]
Old 25 November 2003, 05:48 PM
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johnfelstead
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if the front axle is spinning and the rear is static, there is going to be a large load on the crown wheel and pinion in the rear diff via the centre diff/propshaft, which could force the carrier for the crown wheel to distort if its a large enough force, that could sieze the rear diff assembly. Dont forget you have a puny R160 rear diff, the Imprezas that are designed to take full load on the rear diff (those with DCCD) have a much larger R180 rear diff assembly.
Old 25 November 2003, 08:18 PM
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i could have sat in the car while he performed the test but i couldnt be botherd to move lol

besides
my mate is the supervisor there and his staff follow his words

and my other mate saw him doing the test on his way to the center lol
Old 06 April 2007, 11:39 PM
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I know this is an old thread but i have a question. When my car was tested for the mot (brakes) the tester said that he has a type of roller set up that allows him to check the brakes on the rollers. Yes on the display it did have a light saying 4WD and while checking the brakes the rollers go in different directions but only 2 wheels at any one time. Could this be why my rear diff seems to be siezing up when its hot?

Thanks

Simon
Old 18 January 2015, 05:15 PM
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Dave Dickson
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Subaru towing rules - as I understand them:
AWD manual - can be (rope) towed with all 4 wheels on the ground, engine idling (for steering & brakes) & gear in neutral
AWD automatic - cannot be towed - must be loaded on a trailer
Old 18 January 2015, 05:32 PM
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The original thread was 11 years ago.

Dear Christ. Well done Dave Dickson!
Old 20 January 2015, 08:21 AM
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urban
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Well, the location suggests he's from Botswana
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