The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

I recently bought my first subaru. I thought it would be a good idea to check the 4wd was working, so i pushed the lever and engaged it but then when in first gear my rear wheels seemed stuck?

Second gear was ok but i had one hell of a time trying to get it out of 4wd. I'm just wondering what I should look for i've never had a 4wd car before so no idea what to do.

Thanks

When you say your rear wheels seem stuck, where you trying to drive forward or were you turning?

These cars don't have a centre differential, so engaging 4wd on a sealed surface will create torsional stress in the driveline, which will make it feel like a rear wheel is locking (especially around corners).
They are often difficult to get out of 4wd for the same reason - I find it helps to put the left (or right, whatever) wheels onto the dirt and boot it, allowing those two wheels to spin and "unwind" the gearbox.

Dane.

Try do that off surface or grass and give it a go, another thing from what I noticed, you need to get the steering straight when you get out of 4WD.
Cheers
AP

Thanks.

It was on a tar surface and i was going straight i'll have to get on the dirt and try it. But before that i need new suspension

Been a while since ive been on the forum, just thought I would mention the car has been on many a 4wd expedition now the 4wd works fine - its just hard to get out every now and then like has been mentioned.