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2018 - Limited - Torque Bind troubleshooting? - SOLVED!

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1.1K views 23 replies 5 participants last post by  Kevin  
#1 ·
Vehicle Details:
2018 LIMITED
Transmission:
CVT
Location:
WASHINGTON STATE
I think that my forester may have a bad case of "torque bind".

When performing low speed turns at intersections or the parking lot, at about 270 degrees of steering wheel rotation left or right, I am getting a very noticeable vibration and rubbing/rumble sound that seems to be coming from the front end. It's barely noticeable when the vehicle is cold but after it has been driven for a while it's very noticeable.
Maintenance history around the time I started noticing the torque bind and after:

- Mileage is currently 113,600

- At 109,900 miles while the wife was driving the left front tire had a blow out and was completely shredded taking out the wheel well lining. All 4 tires were brand new at 104,500 so it was replaced with identical tire under warranty. I moved that tire to the left rear position with no diffence in symptoms.

- While waiting for parts to repair the wheel well lining I drained and filled both differentials and the transmission for the first time.

- After getting everything repaired I had a full wheel alignment done and after that is when I started driving the car full time and noticed the torque binding symptoms and also what sounded like a bad wheel bearing in the front. Replaced both front wheel bearings and also replaced a leaking right front cv axle seal at the same time. I then drained and filled both differentials and the transmission for the 2nd time.

- Drove the vehicle for about 75 miles and then had another alignment done at a different shop with no change in symptoms

Anyone have any troubleshooting tips?

► Moderator edit - The solution can be found on post #23 in this thread!
 
#2 ·
Who did the alignments? Did they reset the VDC midpoint setting?

A CVT does not have center differential, the transmission decides if the front or rear axles need power. Have you checked the TCM for trouble codes?

How are the front lower control arms?

Have fun
 
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#4 ·
First alignment was done at Les Scwab. Second alignment done by a local independent shop
Not sure about VDC resetting. Did not know it was something done during alignment. I need to do some research on that.
No codes at all related to issue
I replaced both front lower control arms at 101,400 miles. Both front CVT axles at 102,500 miles. Both ball joints replaced at 105,600 miles
 
#6 ·
This is from the SJ service manual.

1. VDC SENSOR MIDPOINT SETTING MODE
After installing, replacing or adjusting the following parts, perform the VDC sensor midpoint setting mode.
• Steering angle sensor
• Steering wheel
• Suspension parts
• Wheel alignment
• VDCCM&H/U
• VDCCM&H/U bracket

1) Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set the steering wheel to the neutral position.
2) Connect the Subaru Select Monitor to data link connector.
(1) Run the “PC application for Subaru Select Monitor”.
(2) On «Main Menu» display, select {Each System Check}.
(3) Select {Brake Control System}. When {VDC} is displayed, select the [OK] button.
(4) From {Current Data Display & Save}, select {Steer Angle Sensor Op}, {Longitudinal G Sensor} and {Lateral G sensor Output}.
3) Check that the steering angle sensor output value is between –10 and 10 deg.
4) Check that output values for the longitudinal G sensor and lateral G sensor are –2 — 2 m/s2 .
5) From {Work Support}, select {VSC(VDC) Centering Mode}, and perform the setting according to the procedure displayed on the Subaru Select Monitor Screen.
6) Drive the vehicle for 10 minutes, and check that there is no system malfunction or the warning light illumination while driving.
7) Make sure that the DTC is not stored.

It might not solve the problem, but is a place to start.

Have fun
 
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#13 ·
my scan tool does have a "VDC Check Mode" and also a "VSC(VDC) Centering Mode" under special functions. Ran both of them but really sure if they are actually doing anything. I was also able to verify the steering angle and G sensors manually using real time data stream output.
 
#15 ·
Anyone have any experience with the Topdon scan tools?
I have the Artdiag900 lite and it has the function for the AWD solenoid but it doesnt seem to do anything. I tried it for an hour last night and all it does is say its "executing.." Also, you have to be in park with the engine off to run the function so..how would you drive the vehicle to verify anything?
 
#16 ·
@dtf139

Yeah I answered that question already, but didn't know which scan tool model you were referring to.

it would be a different active test, that's for testing if the solenoid is activated in the valve body. That test will fail if the engine is running.
The test you're looking for is AWD ON/OFF switching mode. Activating the AWD solenoid is just for checking if the solenoid is activating in the valve body. It can not be done with the vehicle running.

Topdon's website has a pretty good look up of what functions each scan tool supports with what vehicles. Same thing I looked up when I posted last night.


Looks like the Artidiag 900 Lite does not support the AWD ON/OFF switching mode function. Unfortunately you're out of luck there.
 
#17 ·
@dtf139

Topdon's website has a pretty good look up of what functions each scan tool supports with what vehicles. Same thing I looked up when I posted last night.
The Vehicle Coverage Tool on the Topdon website looks pretty comprehensive at first but not that great when you start digging down comparing different models. Spent over an hour waiting on hold and talking to a tech on the phone this morning trying to get some clarity on some other models compared to the one I have. He basically agreed and I told me to email the engineering department to get more info😒. The Artdiag Pro was on sale at amazon so I went ahead and bought it.
 
#20 ·
My new Artdiag Pro showed up today and so I went and did a test drive at my local strip mall parking lot. Car was nice and warmed up and binding. I Switched back and forth from AWD to FWD 4 or 5 times and the difference was night and day. The binding disappears when in FWD only mode. I need to clear a space in the garage and get the car in and then I guess I'll see about ohming out the solenoid and maybe change out the trans fluid again. Any issue with driving in FWD only for a while?
 
#22 ·
@bman400 CVT fluid is used in the transfer clutch contained in the rear of the transmission called the extension housing. 4/5EATs use a similar design. What is separated is the front differential that uses gear oil. There is no transfer case on a Subaru.

@dtf139 I would not recommend keeping it in FWD forever. It is a diagnostic tool, not a drive management feature. Manual states to re-enable AWD after diagnosis is completed.
 
#23 · (Edited)
Hey everyone. Here’s an update on my torque binding issue.

After my last post I measured the resistance of the AWD solenoid through the connector sitting on top of the solenoid pack and got a reading of 3.8 ohms at 86 degrees of ambient temperature which is right in the middle of listed range of 2-4.5 ohms.

I don’t have much experience with transmissions and such so I was having a hard time thinking that the transfer case/clutch was the issue but I do have experience working with solenoids on airplanes. The solenoid made the most sense to me since it was only acting up after driving the car for a while and everything had heated up. Since Subaru does not make an approved replacement for the solenoid I purchased a relatively cheap($51.96) solenoid from Amazon but I had a bunch of things on my plate and didn’t get around to replacing the solenoid until last week.

The replacement was pretty straight forward and took me about 6 hours from start to finish but that included a few breaks for my back and also time to jerry rig a replacement for the ground lug on the solenoid harness that broke. This guy’s YouTube video was very helpful and I highly recommend it. Even with his warning about the ground lug, mine still broke.

So…the final verdict is that it is fixed. 😎

I have been driving it for a week now and even after driving for 2 hours and switching back and forth between AWD and FWD only, I cannot detect any torque binding.😎
 
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